…Researched and contributed by Solomon Thomas.
Google has warned its Chrome users to check their browser settings and install an emergency update as soon as possible to avoid falling victim to a malicious “zero-day” vulnerability that hackers are already exploiting.
Any device that runs an older version of Google Chrome is at risk, so users need to install the update to fix the problem.
By doing so, cybercriminals will not be able to make any further attempts to hack users’ browsers using the vulnerability.
The Warning from Google
The vulnerability in question is a “zero-day” vulnerability, which means that it is a flaw that cybercriminals have discovered before security researchers have had the opportunity to fix it.
In other words, it is a vulnerability that Google is not aware of and, therefore, cannot fix before it is exploited by hackers.
How to Check and Install the Update
To check if your Chrome browser is updated, you need to open your browser, click the three dots button in the menu bar, then open ‘About Chrome.’
If your browser is older than 112.0.5615.121, you’ll need to install the update as soon as possible.
The ‘About Google Chrome’ page should have an option to ‘Update Google Chrome.’ Click it to install the update and follow the steps on-screen.
If you can’t find it, it means you’re already up to date and don’t need to worry.
Google’s Efforts to Fight Back Against Bugs and Cybersecurity Flaws
Google has been working hard to combat bugs and cybersecurity flaws in its systems.
However, cybercriminals are constantly discovering new vulnerabilities and finding ways to exploit them.
Therefore, it is essential that users keep their software up to date to avoid falling victim to cyberattacks.
Phishing Scams Targeting Gmail Users
Apart from the zero-day vulnerability in Chrome, Google’s Gmail users are also being targeted by phishing scams.
Cybercriminals are sending fake emails to users, threatening to block their YouTube access if they don’t hand over their private details.
The official YouTube Twitter account has warned users to be careful of any emails sent by reply@youtube.com, as hackers have figured out how to spoof the website’s official email address.
Commentary
The news of the zero-day vulnerability in Google Chrome highlights the importance of keeping software up to date.
Cybercriminals are always looking for ways to exploit vulnerabilities, and they often succeed when users fail to install the necessary updates.
It is also essential to be aware of phishing scams and to take the necessary precautions to avoid falling victim to them.
By staying vigilant and keeping software up to date, users can protect themselves from cyber threats.