Chrome 66 rolls out for Windows, Mac, iOS and Android
Last Tuesday Google’s Chrome team announced the promotion of Chrome 66 to the stable channel for Windows, Mac and Linux, and that the latest version (66.0.3359.117) would roll out across multi-platforms over the next few days/weeks.
Chrome 66 brings a number of security fixes, performance improvements and some new features, like disabling autoplay videos and the ability to export passwords.
Last year Google Software Engineer Mounir Lamouri mentioned that one of the most frequent user concerns is “unexpected media playback”. In January 2018 Chrome 64 introduced the ability to disable sound for specific sites by right-clicking the tab and choosing Mute Site option. And the upcoming Chrome 66 tackles the annoying autoplay issue by providing users more controls on when media will start playing.
Google described a set of rules governing autoplay in a previous blog post:
“As announced earlier, autoplay is now allowed only when either the media won’t play sound, after the user clicks or taps on the site, or (on desktop) if the user has previously shown an interest in media on the site. This will reduce unexpected video playbacks with sound when first opening a web page.”
Another new functionality added in Chrome 66 is ‘Export Passwords’. It can be found under the Settings > Advanced > Passwords and forms > Manage passwords > Saved Passwords menu. Once you click this option, you will be prompted to input the computer password to authorize the data export, and when the process is finished, you will have a CSV file which contains the exported passwords stored in your Chrome.
Chrome 66 for Android and iOS also support this function,You can tap on the overflow icon in the Password menu and select the Export Passwords option from the system Share sheet that appears. Similarly, you will be asked to verify your identity through passcode, fingerprint scan, facial recognition, etc. And note that your passwords will be visible to anyone who can access the exported file.
Besides, the update includes a small percentage trial of Site Isolation, which helps improve Chrome’s security and mitigate the risks posed by Spectre/Meltdown.
The last thing to mention is that Chrome 66 will not trust website certificates issued by Symantec’s legacy PKI before June 1st 2016, as Google has announced before.
To get the latest version of Chrome, go to google.com/chrome, or head to the Settings > About Chrome to see if there is available update for your current version.
What’s the change in Chrome 66 that impress you most? Share your thought with us 🙂