As the most popular web browsers in the world in terms of number of users, Chrome needs to continuously improve.
And this time, Google ended 2023 with a gift to users, as it improves not only the user interface of Chrome, but also its security. Google has announced that Safety Check, its security and privacy measure for Chrome, is receiving updates to bolster protection for desktop users.
Rather than needing to deploy the feature, the feature which security vulnerabilities and protects against third-party attacks, the update makes Chrome able to automatically run Safety Check in the background while users use the browser on desktop.
What this means, Chrome can proactively scan the web for possible data leak.
Whenever it finds an instance of users' passwords being leaked or compromised, the browser can notify the users.
With this feature running automatically also means that Chrome can be proactive in detecting harmful extensions, and if a website permissions need to be changed.
The update also gives Safety Check the ability to revoke site permissions - like microphone access - if users haven’t visited the website in a while.
Google continues to push the narrative that security and performance are some of its top priorities.
Its hesitancy to stop supporting third-party cookies, for instance, seems to suggest otherwise. With the abundance of alternative browser options, it might be worth considering just how comfortable you are with using Chrome — even as performance enhancements and personalization features are touted by the tech giant.
Besides security improvements, in a blog post, Google is also enhancing the browser with Memory Saver, by allowing the feature to share more information.
Introduced in 2022, Memory Saver is a feature created to free up memory on users' computer while they're browsing in Chrome. It works by discarding inactive tabs, helping to preserve device’s battery if they happen to be unplugged.
In the update, users can be informed about how much memory can be saved if they let a tab go inactive. Additionally, the feature can also let users know which tabs should be allowed to remain active.
And lastly, there is the tab groups feature, which is meant to allow users to save tab groups and access them on different desktop devices, picking up where they left off.
That being said, Google is still facing stiff competition from other browser developers that are keeping pace with users’ ever-changing needs.
And these changes should make Chrome relevant in its rivalry with Mozilla Firefox, Apple Safari, Microsoft Edge, and others.