Google has updated the Chrome browser — here’s what you need to do
Being a security-minded user of Google’s ever-popular Chrome web browser can sometimes feel like a Sisyphean task, what with the number of urgent updates that are pushed out on a regular basis. That task becomes even harder to accomplish when a warning not to update your browser is thrown into the fray. However, the latest warning from Google confirms that two high-severity vulnerabilities have been discovered in the V8 JavaScript engine that powers the browser, one of which was serious enough to earn the researcher who found it a cool $55,0000 bounty. The answer is simple: you update, but you do it safely. Here’s the step-by-step process to ensure that your copy of Chrome is protected without falling foul of hackers who would compromise it during the process.
Google Releases Chrome 129.0.6668.100 For Windows, Mac, Android And Linux Users
Google has posted a browser update warning to the official Chrome Releases site, dated Oct. 8, detailing two high-rated security vulnerabilities impacting the billions of Chrome users across all platforms other than iOS. This update takes the browser to version 129.0.6668.100/.101 for Windows, Android and Mac users and 129.0.6668.100 for those running on Linux.
The two vulnerabilities, CVE-2024-9602 earning the security researcher who disclosed it to Google a bounty payment of $55,000 and CVE-2024-9603 for which the bounty has yet to be determined, are both type confusion issues with the V8 JavaScript engine at the heart of Chrome. Beyond this detail, little has been made public as is the norm for vulnerabilities such as this until a majority of users have been able to update their browsers.
To Update Or Not To Update, That Is The Question
Although you may be confused as to whether you should update your browser or not, in the ought of earlier warnings about fake updates that can compromise your data, the advice is clear: update as soon as possible. This is made easy enough by Google as your Chrome browser will automatically check for any new updates and download them accordingly. As long as you are not navigating to another site, clicking a link in an email or text message, the update process is perfectly safe. What it is isn’t, however, is effective until you activate the newly patched application.
Head to the Help|About option in the menu. If the update is available, it will automatically start downloading.
Once the download is complete, Chrome will present you with a relaunch button. Save and/or close all open tabs and click the button.
Chrome will then restart and your browser will show the current, fully patched, version for your operating system platform.
