All articles tagged with #web browsers
Opera says its Android monthly active users grew 66% year over year in the UK and 40% in the US in Q2, crediting momentum to features Chrome lacks out of the box—free unlimited VPN, built-in ad blocker and AI tools—helping it pick up users in Europe after the EU Digital Markets Act and encouraging more Android users to try its browser.
Chrome and Edge are implementing a feature called Selective format read that questions the clipboard to only paste the required data (such as plain text or HTML) instead of pulling every data type, reducing memory use and speeding up pasting in web apps; the update is live in Chrome and Edge version 149, with Firefox likely to follow and Safari already having a similar approach.
Firefox 153 Nightly now enables a redesigned Settings UI by default, offering clearer organization, easier navigation, and improved descriptions while keeping AI controls. Mozilla hopes the redesign will eventually reach the Firefox 152 release channel, with more details on the Nightly Blog.
A zero-day use-after-free in Chromium’s CSS engine (CVE-2026-2441) has surfaced in the wild, potentially enabling heap corruption via crafted HTML and affecting Chromium-based browsers like Chrome, Edge, and Opera. The discussion centers on the vulnerability’s impact, possible exploit chains, and bug-bounty economics, with experts noting that attackers may combine a renderer bug with a sandbox escape for broader access. The thread also touches on how bug bounties compare to gray-market payouts for high-severity exploits and the reality that “in the wild” exploits often come with additional complications and risk for researchers.
Google released security updates for Chrome to fix a high-severity use-after-free in CSS (CVE-2026-2441) that was being exploited in the wild. Updates are available for Windows/macOS (145.0.7632.75/76) and Linux (144.0.7559.75); users should relaunch Chrome after updating. The vulnerability’s exploit exists in the wild, and the article notes Apple also patched related zero-days. Users of other Chromium-based browsers should apply fixes when available.
Safari on iPhone, iPad, and Macs with ProMotion can render pages at up to 120Hz by enabling a hidden Feature Flags option. On iPhone/iPad, go to Settings > Safari > Advanced > Feature Flags and turn off 'Prefer Page Rendering Updates near 60fps', then restart Safari; on Mac, enable Show features for web developers in Settings > Advanced, open the Feature Flags tab, search '60fps', and uncheck the 'Prefer Page Rendering Updates near 60fps' option, then restart. Supported devices include ProMotion iPhones (e.g., 13 Pro and later), iPad Pro models, and Macs with ProMotion; higher refresh can affect battery life.
A new California law (AB 566) requires web browsers to offer an easy opt-out signal for users to prevent sharing or selling their personal data, potentially setting a national standard for online privacy and simplifying user control over data across the U.S.
The article discusses the recent surge of AI-powered browsers like ChatGPT Atlas, highlighting how AI is transforming traditional web browsing by enabling control over the browsing experience, and explores the broader implications for the tech industry, including device integration and corporate acquisitions.
California has enacted a law requiring web browsers to provide an easy-to-use, universal opt-out mechanism for consumers to prevent third-party data sales, making privacy controls more accessible and straightforward for Californians, alongside other privacy rights enhancements.
Cap'n Web introduces a novel RPC system for browsers and web servers that leverages record-replay techniques and domain-specific languages to enable efficient, pipelined remote procedure calls, with special handling for arrays and functions, aiming to simplify distributed system communication while highlighting challenges like safety and protocol design.
Cloudflare is supporting Ladybird and Omarchy, raising concerns about its intentions to promote approved browsers and potentially limit web access to a few dominant engines, which could threaten open standards and the open web. The article discusses the broader context of browser control, platform dependencies, and the influence of major tech companies like Google, Apple, and Microsoft on web standards and user choice.
Microsoft's Family Safety parental control service is mistakenly blocking Google Chrome and other browsers on Windows devices due to a bug, which also causes browsers to crash or shut down unexpectedly. The issue is linked to the web filtering tool and affects Windows 10 22H2 and Windows 11 22H2 or later. Microsoft is working on a fix and recommends enabling the 'Activity reporting' feature to mitigate the problem temporarily.
Mozilla has decided to remove the 'Do Not Track' feature from its Firefox browser, as it was largely ineffective and potentially counterproductive. The feature, which sent a request to websites not to track users, was often ignored and could even help websites identify and track users more effectively. This move follows Apple's similar decision to remove the feature from Safari in 2019, highlighting the ineffectiveness of self-regulation in online privacy.
The FBI has issued a warning to users of popular web browsers like Chrome, Safari, and Edge about a significant increase in online scams targeting holiday shoppers. With an 89% rise in fraudulent websites and 80% of shopping-related emails flagged as scams, the FBI advises vigilance during Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Common scams include non-delivery, non-payment, auction fraud, and gift card fraud, with significant financial losses reported. Shoppers are urged to be cautious of deals that seem too good to be true to avoid becoming victims.
As Firefox celebrates its 20th anniversary, Mozilla is refocusing efforts to restore the browser's market position, which has declined since the rise of Google Chrome. Interim CEO Laura Chambers emphasizes investing in Firefox's development and enhancing user experience, particularly through privacy-focused features and AI integration. Mozilla is also targeting younger users and leveraging the Digital Markets Act in Europe to increase mobile adoption. Despite financial reliance on a search deal with Google, Mozilla remains optimistic about its role in promoting competition and an open web ecosystem.