So many warnings about Chrome browser

[RussBLib]

Last edited Sat Oct 2, 2021, 02:26 PM - Edit history (1)

New member of this group. I'm an "older" guy, over 60 yrs old, so it can take me longer to grok shit than it used to.

I see warnings about security issues with the Chrome browser all the time. Most recently this one in Forbes magazine:

https://www.forbes.com/sites/zakdoffman/2021/10/02/stop-using-google-chrome-on-windows-10-android-and-apple-iphones-ipads-and-macs/?sh=6e2afcbe2f30

I use the Chrome browser on my Android devices, and Safari on my Apple devices.

But what I am curious about is, these articles go on and on about how lax Google is with its Chrome browser, and how many security fixes get created for Chrome, BUT I NEVER SEE IF THE SAME WARNINGS APPLY TO CHROMEBOOKS. It seems like they would, or should. But no one mentions Chromebooks, just how bad the Chrome browser is. I've been thinking about getting a Chromebook.

Any help here?

[msongs]

1. reports indicate forbes is 95% owned by chinese interests nt

[RussBLib]

4. So, does that mean any and every story is suspect?

I think not

[appalachiablue]

2. Obtrusive, scary and I'm glad I've resisted installing

Chrome and won't now, despite relentless ads. Can't help you but look forward to remarks on this.

Also, since I set up Edge a while ago Microsoft pop ups and tracking are becoming much more frequent and pestering.

As well, my MSN (Microsoft) home page is starting to include daily 'news/info' links that are directly related to my recent searches- even ones done on DuckDuckGo which I like and use a lot. Good luck..

[RussBLib]

6. I'm rather used to being tracked

Having ads or stories pop up in a feed that you might have searched on before is a bit annoying, but I don't think I care that much. If carried too far, it could get insidious, I suppose, as with anything.

I need to do more "research" on Chromebooks, I reckon.

[appalachiablue]

3. FYI: DU Post today in Gen. Disc.:

Why You Suddenly Need To Delete Google Chrome
https://democraticunderground.com/100215915680

[RussBLib]

5. That's the same story I linked to in my post

Also pointing to Forbes. Personally I think Steve Forbes is a jerk and a freak, but I don't discount every story published under their banner.

[appalachiablue]

10. Agree about Forbes, for now. I thought the comments

from the other post could be of interest, forgot to mention.

[RussBLib]

13. Yeah, thanks for pointing me to it

I had not seen it in GD

[marble falls]

7. Is it possible to remove google from a google machine?

[RussBLib]

8. Probably

Be too much hassle, and shit wouldn't work right afterward.

[marble falls]

9. How about blanking the drive and starting over. Some of those google machine seem very inexpensive.

Or swapping hard drives?

[CloudWatcher]

11. Running Linux

It's not for everyone, but if you've got Unix experience, it looks like it's possible to run Linux and just say "no" to Google.

https://www.pcmag.com/how-to/install-linux-on-your-chromebook

[marble falls]

14. About 30 years ago (90- 91), he had a big system installed to keep track of manufacturing and it ...

... was integrated into our software. this is the days of MS-Dos and Gates breaking with IBM. for some reason we had to have a DOS partition because some of the software was, I believe, was some form of Unix. I'll talk to a HS computer wiz I know.

Big thanks even of I am too much of a Luddite to 'get' it.

[marble falls]

16. Been years since I picked up a PC World, I forgot what a great resource it is. Thanx for the Link!

[IbogaProject]

12. Chromebooks have automatic updates

Chromebooks have automatic updates, so in one way they are more secure, as you have to enable updates or approve them on windows so user neglect to update or reboot their computers can make certain users unsecure over time.

[marble falls]

15. Not os much concerned with security, but I am concerned about Google ...

... if my information is valuable, they have to be coy about it, where's my cut?

Fortunately there are aps that keep google and Facebook from monitoring me.

And yes, I know, they'd make pennies for my info, but if progressives could get together and designate a charity or movement to pool our pennies, we could make a difference.

I'm not against google making money, but I am against monetizing my information and not being transparent about who, what, when, where and for how much.

[Hugh_Lebowski]

17. Trust me in the W10 universe, Microsoft WILL update your OS including rebooting if necessary

It's possible to 'opt-out' with hacktastic methods, but they're not recommended, and MS doesn't make it easy.

Missing a critical update due to 'Neglecting to update or reboot' is a short-lived situation unless you REALLY don't want to get updates without your approval.

[douglas9]

18. Chromebook Q&A @ link

https://www.reddit.com/r/chromeos/

[Susan Calvin]

19. Everything is tracking you. In my opinion. Or pretty much everything.

I had been wondering for a while how my five browsers cross-pollinated ads on my Android phone. Turns out there's some buried Google thing that gives them permission. I didn't even look for that thing, I just found it by accident when I was looking to fix some other annoyance.

[hunter]

20. My laptop is a Chromebook. My desktop runs Linux.

I won't use Microsoft or Apple products unless someone is paying me.

All modern web browsers and computers are insecure. Maintaining any level of privacy is hard work.

uBlock Origin will keep out most of the riffraff.

https://github.com/gorhill/uBlock

It works with Chrome and most Chrome based browsers, including Microsoft's. It's also available for Firefox.

I allow advertising on advertising supported sites I frequently visit if the ads are not obnoxious, or if I can't pay for a subscription to make the ads go away. Her on DU I can make a donation to make the ads go away.

When I'm casually browsing I'll immediately block any site that has especially obnoxious advertising so I don't accidentally go there again. Advertising that moves or makes noise irritates me immensely.

If any fascists are soon to take over the U.S.A. they already know I'm a socialist and radical environmentalist, and they've probably already seen the naked pics as well.

[RussBLib]

21. Yet another "Terrifying Google Chrome bug"

The article below listed the updated Chrome version that Google has already released to patch the hack, and my Android phone shows the exact version, so...I guess I'm good.

https://tech.hindustantimes.com/tech/news/terrifying-google-chrome-bug-has-hit-computers-google-says-do-this-now-71633312708024.html

Snip:
To offer some security, Google has released the update and the latest version is called 94.0.4606.71.