Google Chrome 86 is out with password changing improvements and security patches
Google released a new version of the company's Chrome web browser on September 6, 2020. The new stable version of the web browser is being rolled out gradually as usually. Desktop users who want the upgrade right away can run a manual check for the update by loading chrome://settings/help in the browser's address bar. Chrome should pick up the update and install it automatically; the version of the browser is revealed on the page as well.
Chrome 86.0.4240.75 is a security and feature update for the web browser. The new Chrome release patches 35 different security fixes, at least one rated as critical, the highest available severity rating.
Google implemented several features in the new stable version of the Chrome web browser that add or change functionality.
Chrome will, for example, attempt to upgrade images that are served over HTTP on HTTPS sites automatically by rewriting the URL to HTTPS. There is no fallback to HTTP if the image is not available via HTTPS, however; this means that some images may no longer display in the browser.
Another change improves user privacy in the browser by restricting access to the gamepad API. The API can be used to provide gamepad functionality, e.g. for web games, but sites may also use it to fingerprint and track users. The change mitigates the finger printing risk according to Google.
Chrome 86 is also the first stable version of the browser that supports a standard address for changing passwords. We reviewed the feature when it landed in development builds of Chrome 86 already. Sites may configure a specific URL for users to change passwords; the browser knows the URL because it uses a standard path, and may use it to make the changing of passwords, e.g. after a breach, more comfortable for users.
Chrome users may notice that battery life improves once the browser is upgraded to the new version. The browser throttles JavaScript timer wake ups in the version under certain scenarios that can improve battery life.
Another welcome change is the use of a back-forward cache which improves the loading of previously visited sites in the browser provided that the page is still cached. The change should make back and forward navigation events happen without delays.
Chrome engineers added support for the File System Access API and WebCodecs API in the browser. File System Access allows web apps to interact with files and folders on the users system directly after the user granted access to them. WebCodecs is a low-level API designed to "better support emerging applications, such as latency-sensitive game streaming, client-side effects or transcoding, and polyfillable media container support, without the increased network and CPU cost of JavaScript or WebAssembly codec implementations".
The next stable version of Google Chrome, Chrome 87, will be released on November 17, 2020.
What about a dev-ops called “Fabulous Tab” or “Tap”, how do I get rid of that?
It takes complete control of all it wants to, turning useless passwords managers, 2-factor-Authorizations etc. How do I uninstall this and maybe also previous versions? Tks!
Martin, Chrome 86.0.4240.75 stable now installs onto the \Program Files\ folder and not the “\Program Files (x86)\” folder on 64bit Windows systems.
Anyone on Chrome experiencing problems downloading “unsafe downloads”?
Yesterday was when downloads stopped working for me and that was still version 85, the update came today, but after testing out a few different Chromium browser as well as doing a fresh install of Chrome without extensions or personal settings, I discovered it’s a Chrome-only problem and moved to another Chromium browser.
The two things I tried to download are here:
https://ao.igg.com
https://sites.google.com/site/heroes3hd/eng/download
One is a game client for an MMORPG on its official server and the other is a mod for HoMM3, which always downloaded without a problem on Chrome… until yesterday. Works on every other Chromium browser as well as Firefox, IE and old Edge.
It could be this: https://www.ghacks.net/2020/02/07/google-chrome-will-block-all-insecure-downloads-in-the-near-future/
I was checking Chrome 86 beta for changes and found this information in advanced settings.
https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/1069693 which says Google Cloud Printing is going away.
Chrome Version 86.0.4240.75 (Official Build) beta (64-bit) now happens to be at the same level as the latest stable version. I was running extension HTTPS Everywhere but deleted it manually, assuming it is no longer required.
Never Ass-U-Me anything.
“File System Access allows web apps to interact with files and folders on the users system directly after the user granted access to them.”
Oh sh*t.
chrome://flags/#native-file-system-api
Select Disabled
Also, while you are at it,
chrome://flags/#file-handling-api
Select Disabled too
Oh sh*t indeed… :O
There’s a flag you disable this with – but who knows for how long.
@Anonymous & ShintoPlasm
Fear not, for it will mostly only affect Chrome:
https://github.com/brave/brave-browser/issues/11407
I suppose other privacy-conscious Chromium variants will follow suit.