Google issues urgent warning for billions of Chrome users that you musn’t ignore

GOOGLE has rolled out a major security update for its Chrome web browser that, if not installed, could expose users to hackers.

The single vulnerability patched in the update (CVE-2022-3723) is already known to be exploited in attacks.

Google

It was discovered by researchers at cyber firm Avast and reported by Google on October 28.

“Google is aware of reports that an exploit for CVE-2022-3723 exists in the wild,” Google said in a notice on its website.

The search giant doesn’t provide many details about the vulnerability for security reasons.

That gives Chrome users plenty of time to update the web browser to version 107.0.5304.87/88, which fixes the isssue.

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“Access to bug details and links may be kept restricted until a majority of users are updated with a fix,” Google said.

“We will also retain restrictions if the bug exists in a third party library that other projects similarly depend on, but haven’t yet fixed.”

The critical updateaffects all supported desktop devices including Windows, Mac and Linux as well as GoogleAndroid and AppleiOS devices.

As of 2021, there were an estimated 3.2 billion internet users worldwide using Chrome as their main browser, and this release affects every one of them.

While the update will be rolled out automatically, Google has advised in its release notes that it could be days or even weeks before all users see their browser is updated.

So it’s worth being extra vigilant and updating it, manually, as soon as possible.

How to download the Chrome update

You can check which version your device is using by heading to the browser’s settings page via the three dots in the top-right corner, then choosing Help.

Now go to About Google Chrome. If the update is available to you, you’ll be able to force install it here.

You’re looking for Chrome version 104.0.5112.79 for Mac/Linux and version 104.0.5112.79/80/81 for Windows.

“If the security update has not yet been pushed out to you yet, it’s worth keeping automatics updates on Chrome – and all apps for that matter,” added Moore.

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