Google ups security with latest Chrome version

Amid heightened threats from malware and phishing sites, search giant Google upgraded the security in the latest stable version of its Chrome browser. Software engineer Adrienne Walker said Chrome's latest version gives users more control over the data that websites store on their computers. "Chrome is now more secure, thanks to enhancements to our Safe Browsing technology. In addition to protecting you from certain malware and phishing websites, Chrome now warns you before downloading some types of malicious files. We’ve carefully designed this feature so that malicious content can be detected without Chrome or Google ever having to know about the URLs you visit or the files you download," Walker said in a blog post. The enhancements to Chrome's security come amid reports that malware authors have stepped up their social engineering to dupe users into downloading rogue software. Meanwhile, Walker said Chrome also gives users more control over the data that websites store on their computer. This includes Flash Player’s Local Shared Objects (LSOs), which were previously only manageable using an online settings application on Adobe’s website. "We’ve worked closely with Adobe to integrate Flash LSO deletion directly into Chrome, making it easier for you to manage your online privacy," Walker said. Also, Walker said Chrome’s graphics capabilities continue to improve, with the latest release including support for hardware-accelerated 3D CSS. "(It) means you’ll get a snazzier experience in some web pages and web apps that choose to implement 3D effects," Walker said. Chrome users will be automatically updated to this new version in the coming days. — TJD, GMA News