Image: The Verge Google Chrome has begun to phase out uBlock Origin. The developer of the free ad blocker, Raymond Hill, recently reposted a screenshot that shows Chrome automatically turning off uBlock Origin because it is no longer supported."The change comes as Google Chrome migrates to Manifest V3, a new extension specification that could impact the effectiveness of some ad blockers. uBlock Origin has launched uBlock Origin Lite, which uses Manifest V3, in response to the transition. However, you have to manually install the extension because it's too different from uBO to be an automatic replacement," according to a FAQ Hill that posted to GitHub.Hill says you may notice a difference when using uBlock Origin Lite compared to uBlock Origin... Continue reading...

Image: The Verge Google is updating Chrome on Android next month to greatly improve how password mangers operate inside the mobile browser. Chrome on Android will allow third-party password managers to natively autofill forms on websites, improving the experience of apps like 1Password, Dashlane, and others.Google offers its own password manager in Chrome, alongside passkeys and autofill support for information like your address and payment card data. While you can set a preferred autofill service on Android, it uses a compatibility mode inside Chrome that makes it feel super glitchy for third-party password managers. I regularly swap between iOS and Android devices, and using 1Password on iOS feels like a far better experience in Chrome even though it... Continue reading...

Image: The Verge The latest version of Chrome (Version 131.0.6778.86) has addressed an issue in the browser that broke the ability to highlight text on some websites over the weekend, Google's Scott Westover confirmed to The Verge in an email.We tested the change, and found that we were able to highlight text within stories on sites like Bloomberg and The Verge, and in the post composer on X, both in updated Windows and Mac versions of Chrome. It's not clear whether the change applies to other Chromium-based browsers, such as Arc, which continues to be affected in our testing.Westover says the update has gone out to all users. To see the change, you'll need to restart Chrome; if text highlighting still isn't working, you can check the Chrome version... Continue reading...

The ability to remotely remove installed extensions is coming later this year." | Image: The Verge Google has announced some new business features that can help IT admins better manage Chrome browser extensions, a popular attack vector for cybercriminals. A curated Chrome Web Store experience is launching today for any organization using Chrome Enterprise (including the free Chrome Enterprise Core package) that allows pre-approved extensions to be displayed on the landing page, making them easier for employees to find and install.Companies can also promote other trusted add-ons that they have vetted, create groups for specific extensions, and customize the Chrome Web Store UI with company logos, imagery, and announcements. Image: Google Sample Enterprise Web Store The aim is to prevent employees from installing potentially harmful browser extensions that pose a security risk - as seen in the phishing campaign reported in December that inserted malicious code into multiple Chrome extensions, including the Cyberhaven data security add-on.More controls will be added for IT admins later this year, including a new setting that will enable extensions to be removed from users' systems remotely and automatically block future downloads. Another feature, coming early this year," will let admins place custom messages on extension detail pages to provide more information about their compliance with workspace usage policies.Update, January 23rd: Clarified tools are available to admins on both free Chrome Enterprise Core and Chrome Enterprise Premium.