Latest news with #EllenT
Forbes
28-06-2025
- Forbes
Google Chrome Updates To Stop On August 5 For 300 Million Android Users
Google confirms it will stop updateng Chrome for 300 million Android users in August. Update, June 28, 2025: This story, originally published on June 27, has been updated with advice from Google on how to check and update your Android version in response to the news that Chrome will stop getting security updates in August for users of Android 8 and 9. If there is one thing you can guarantee in life, other than death and taxes, it's that Google will update the Chrome web browser with alarming frequency to fight off attacks using newly discovered security vulnerabilities. That guarantee will disappear for an estimated 300 million Android users starting August 5. Here's what you need to know. 300 Million Android Devices To Not Longer Get Chrome Security Updates According to the latest estimates, 4% of the Android user base of 3.3 billion still use Android 8 and another 5.8% use Android 9. While the percentages might seem insignificant in the overall scheme of things, that's a combined total of more than 300 million devices. It's also 300 million devices that will no longer benefit from security updates for the Google Chrome browser from August 5. Ellen T, a Chrome support manager at Google, has now officially confirmed in a Google Chrome community posting, that 'Chrome 138 is the last version of Chrome that will support Android 8.0 and Android 9.0.' With Chrome 139 being expected to arrive on August 5, and requiring devices to be running Android 10.0 or later, this means that you will 'need to ensure your device is running Android 10.0 or later to continue receiving future Chrome releases,' Ellen T said. How To Check And Update Your Version Of Android To Ensure Chrome Security Updates Continue Ellen T has stated that Google encourages all impacted users 'to move to a supported Android 10.0 version (or newer) to ensure you continue to receive the latest security updates and Chrome features.' Which is great, but how easy is that going to be in the real world? Google itself, of course, has a support page dedicated to just that question, explaining how to check for and update the version of Android for your device, be it a smartphone or tablet. 'You can find your device's Android version number, security update level, and Google Play system level in your Settings app,' Google said, adding that you will also get notifications when any operating system updates are available for your specific device. Here are the step-by-step instructions provided by Google: To check which Android version your device is running currently: To check for the latest Android operating system updates for your device: Doing Nothing Is Not An Option – Chrome Security Updates Are Critical It's important to note that older versions of the Google Chrome web browser app will continue to work just fine on older Android smartphones and tablets. Assuming that your definition of just fine includes being open to attack by anyone armed with an exploit for the latest security vulnerabilities. Indeed, as time passes, and those security vulnerabilities become common knowledge, with exploits exchanged in criminal forums online, the threat will only increase for any users who have not either updated to a more recent operating system or switched to a different browser app. You know what to do, and the correct answer is most certainly not nothing. You have been warned.
Forbes
27-06-2025
- Forbes
Google Chrome Updates To Stop August 5 For 300 Million Android Users
Google confirms it will stop updateng Chrome for 300 million Android users in August. If there is one thing you can guarantee in life, other than death and taxes, it's that Google will update the Chrome web browser with alarming frequency to fight off attacks using newly discovered security vulnerabilities. That guarantee will disappear for an estimated 300 million Android users starting August 5. Here's what you need to know. 300 Million Android Devices To Not Longer Get Chrome Security Updates According to the latest estimates, 4% of the Android user base of 3.3 billion still use Android 8 and another 5.8% use Android 9. While the percentages might seem insignificant in the overall scheme of things, that's a combined total of more than 300 million devices. It's also 300 million devices that will no longer benefit from security updates for the Google Chrome browser from August 5. Ellen T, a Chrome support manager at Google, has now officially confirmed in a Google Chrome community posting, that 'Chrome 138 is the last version of Chrome that will support Android 8.0 and Android 9.0.' With Chrome 139 being expected to arrive on August 5, and requiring devices to be running Android 10.0 or later, this means that you will 'need to ensure your device is running Android 10.0 or later to continue receiving future Chrome releases,' Ellen T said. It's important to note that older versions of the Google Chrome web browser app will continue to work just fine on older Android smartphones and tablets. Assuming that your definition of just fine includes being open to attack by anyone armed with an exploit for the latest security vulnerabilities. Indeed, as time passes, and those security vulnerabilities become common knowledge, with exploits exchanged in criminal forums online, the threat will only increase for any users who have not either updated to a more recent operating system or switched to a different browser app. You know what to do, and the correct answer is most certainly not nothing. You have been warned.
Yahoo
27-06-2025
- Yahoo
A second Windows 11 bug takes suspicious aim at Google Chrome — and the same Microsoft app is to blame
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Last Friday, we reported on an issue in Windows 11 where Google Chrome would simply refuse to launch. Chrome's support manager, Ellen T., confirmed that the team had investigated the problem and pinned it on Microsoft's Family Safety feature, but users were provided with a quick workaround instead of an official fix. The workaround? Either disable the 'Filter inappropriate websites' option under Family Safety or, oddly enough, rename the file to Microsoft still hasn't rolled out an official fix, but it has finally acknowledged the issue while confirming another bug impacting Chrome users, too. As reported by Neowin, Microsoft confirmed one more issue affecting Google Chrome users on Windows via a new Microsoft Learn entry. The entry was opened on Tuesday, June 24, and it hasn't been updated since. The new bug Microsoft has identified also has to do with the Family Safety feature that caused the issue we reported on earlier. However, instead of the feature causing Chrome to crash entirely, the feature just… doesn't work. The Redmond-based giant explains that the Web Content Filtering system relies on a block list to prevent browsers from accessing inappropriate search results and websites. Unless a browser version is added to the block list, it won't be, well, blocked — even if content filtering is turned on for the account. Something that, in the Microsoft Learn entry, the tech giant admitted to not having done with the latest version of Chrome and several other browsers. Due to this mistake on Microsoft's end, the browsers not added to the list might temporarily appear unblocked. Thankfully, Microsoft confirmed that it's currently working on updating the block list. The Redmond-based giant also touched on the issue we've already talked about in our previous article, which is causing Google Chrome and 'some browsers' to shut down unexpectedly. PCs with Parental Controls enabled typically receive a parental approval message: 'You'll need to ask to use this app.' Once a parent approves, the child gains access to the browser. However, this bug is causing the browser to shut down immediately without the prompt even appearing. Microsoft has pinpointed that this issue is only observed when the Activity reporting feature is disabled. The suggested workaround is to enable Activity reporting under Windows settings in Family Safety. Once the feature is enabled, parents will begin to receive approval requests as usual. The issues discussed above are affecting Windows 10 version 22H2 and Windows 11 versions 22H2, 23H2, and 24H2. Microsoft's confirmed that it's actively working on resolving both the above issues, and will update the support document when it has more information. What's great is that the tech giant has finally acknowledged the issue and provided a workaround to the Google Chrome crashing problem. Considering Microsoft has had quite the rocky history with Google Chrome, it's frankly a bit odd that both issues seem to primarily be affecting Chrome. Microsoft has a history of targeting Chrome (the world's most popular web browser) directly in various ways, including publishing a guide on 'how to uninstall Google Chrome,' displaying pop-up ads promoting Edge in the Chrome app, and interrupting users who search for Google Chrome using its Edge browser, just to name a few. Are both bugs genuine, or are they simply another attempt by Microsoft to push users toward Edge instead of Chrome? In this instance, I guess we'll never know. I quit Google Chrome after 15 years: Here's where I ended up and why Why I ditched Google Chrome for Microsoft Edge (and haven't looked back Microsoft doesn't want to tell you how to uninstall Microsoft Edge
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Business Standard
23-06-2025
- Business Standard
Facing troubles with Google Chrome on Windows? Check reason and workaround
A newly introduced Microsoft's Family Safety tool is causing Google Chrome to crash on Windows, leaving users frustrated for more than two weeks. As reported by The Verge, the issue began in early June and either prevents Chrome from opening or causes it to crash immediately after launching. Cause of the issue According to a statement by Ellen T, Chrome support manager, the team has confirmed that Chrome is unable to run when Microsoft Family Safety is enabled. Other browsers, such as Firefox and Opera, remain unaffected. What is Microsoft Family Safety Microsoft Family Safety is a built-in Windows feature that enables parents to monitor and restrict device usage. It supports: Content filtering Screen time limits Cross-device syncing across Windows, Android and Xbox For example, time limits set for games like Fortnite on a PC also apply to other devices, preventing children from bypassing restrictions by switching platforms. Workarounds to fix Chrome Until Microsoft rolls out an official fix, users have discovered a few temporary solutions: Rename to Disable the 'filter inappropriate websites' setting in Family Safety No official fix yet Microsoft has not officially acknowledged the bug nor shared a timeline for resolution. A Chromium engineer noted that Microsoft has privately provided guidance to affected users, but this has not significantly alleviated the issue at scale. The situation has renewed concerns about Microsoft's past tactics to promote its Edge browser over Chrome. The company has previously used pop-ups, AI-driven search manipulation, and warning messages to deter users from switching browsers.
Ammon
21-06-2025
- Ammon
Microsoft is blocking Google Chrome through its family safety feature
Ammon News - Earlier this month, Microsoft's Family Safety feature, primarily used by parents and schools as a set of parental controls and filters, started randomly blocking Google's Chrome browser from opening on Windows. The first reports surfaced on June 3rd, with some Chrome users noticing the browser kept closing or wouldn't open. Microsoft has introduced a bug into Family Safety that specifically targets the Chrome browser and prevents it from functioning on Windows. 'Our team has investigated these reports and determined the cause of this behavior,' says Chrome support manager Ellen T. 'For some users, Chrome is unable to run when Microsoft Family Safety is enabled.' Other browsers like Firefox or Opera appear to be unaffected, and some users have even found that renaming to works around this issue. Schools or parents who have enabled Family Safety as part of a Microsoft 365 subscription can also disable the 'filter inappropriate websites' setting in Family Safety to get Chrome up and running again, but this does leave children able to access any website. It's unclear when Microsoft will fix the issue, which has been ongoing for more than two weeks. We reached out to Microsoft to comment on this problem earlier this week, but at the time of publication, the company hasn't responded. 'We've not heard anything from Microsoft about a fix being rolled out,' wrote a Chromium engineer in a bug tracking thread on June 10th. 'They have provided guidance to users who contact them about how to get Chrome working again, but I wouldn't think that would have a large effect.' Microsoft has a habit of doing weird things on Windows to steer people away from using Chrome. While this Family Safety issue is likely an innocent bug, Microsoft has used prompts, fake AI answers, malware-like popups, and even a poll injected on Google's Chrome download page to try and sway people to switch to its Edge browser. Earlier this year, Microsoft even used Bing to trick people into thinking they were on Google. The Verge
