Latest news with #MicrosoftEdge
Mint
2 days ago
- Mint
Google Chrome issues urgent warning: Harmful extensions could be spying on everything you do online
If you use Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge on your computer, now is the time to take your online security seriously and check your browser for hidden risks. Security researchers at Koi Security have uncovered a campaign that compromised at least 18 different browser extensions, many disguised as helpful tools, all while quietly tracking users' web activity and putting personal data in jeopardy. So far, over 2.3 million people have been caught up in this silent invasion of privacy. The problematic extensions at the heart of this campaign appeared to do exactly what they advertised. They offered features users want, such as emoji keyboards, video speed controls, weather updates, volume boosters, VPN services for Discord and TikTok, YouTube unblockers, and dark themes. Once installed, these 'harmless' add-ons covertly turned into surveillance tools that secretly monitor browsing activity and send that data to remote servers. Google has already removed the extensions from the official Chrome Web Store. However, if you installed any of them before they were taken down, you will need to delete them manually. To make matters worse, some of these extensions continue to circulate on third-party websites, still putting users at risk. Security experts found that these extensions followed a set pattern. First, each one captured the address of every website you visited. That information was then sent back to a remote server and tagged with a unique identifier attached to your device. The server could respond with instructions to automatically redirect your browser to other websites of its choosing. All this happened silently, making it easy for the attackers to spy on or even manipulate your browsing experience. For example, if you clicked on a perfectly normal video meeting invite, the extension might redirect you to a fake site mimicking a necessary software update. Downloading anything from there could open your computer up to further malware. Some of the known extensions include Unlock Discord, Dark Theme, Volume Max, Unblock TikTok, Unlock YouTube VPN, Geco Colorpick, Weather, and various others for both Chrome and Edge. It's likely that even more unsafe add-ons are still circulating, especially if downloaded outside the official extension stores. To safeguard your information, open your browser's settings and look for 'Extensions' in the main menu or under 'More tools.' Go through the list and remove any add-ons you do not recognise or no longer use. Click 'Remove' or 'Uninstall' for anything suspicious, then restart your browser. It is wise to change important passwords, clear your saved autofill entries, and run a trusted antivirus or anti-malware scan for extra peace of mind. Sadly, even extensions from reputable stores can be updated to include harmful code, so it is important to regularly review what you have installed. Check for recent reviews and uninstall anything you do not remember adding. Most browser add-ons are safe when downloaded from official sources but cybercriminals are always finding new ways to hide their tracks.
Tom's Guide
4 days ago
- Tom's Guide
Searching for Chrome on Bing? Microsoft has a new clingy tactic to beg you to stay
Microsoft is at it again with another ploy to stop Bing users from switching over to Google Chrome, this time with a full banner right on the search page. As Microsoft Edge is Windows' default browser, many users often use it to download Chrome through the Bing search engine. Many will know that the browser often delivers a message stating why it's worth using Bing instead, but Windows Report has noticed a new comparison banner pops up. When typing in "Chrome" using Bing on Edge, there's now a banner that takes up a big part of the page before web search results are shown. The report found a comparison between the two browsers, stating " Microsoft Edge offers the speed of Chrome with the security of Microsoft." Notably, it also details what Edge offers and what Chrome doesn't, including Microsoft Rewards, a built-in VPN (although this isn't available in all regions), AI personalization and Microsoft's "recommended" for optimized browsing. This is a "Promoted by Microsoft" ad, and a large one at that. It's yet another way Microsoft is urging users to stay on Edge, although I'm not sure if this will stop users in their tracks. When trying this myself, I received another banner that showed the Microsoft Reward points to gain by trying Edge, with tiles showcasing Amazon, Starbucks, Xbox Game Pass and Roblox gift cards. Either way, instead of just a small pop-up notification, there's now a full-on banner before reaching the list of search results for Google Chrome. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. With Chrome continuing to be the most popular browser around, it comes as no surprise that Microsoft wants you to stick with Edge. According to statistics from analytics firm Backlinko, there are an estimated 3.69 billion users worldwide, compared to Microsoft Edge's estimated 292 million users. Thankfully, those in the EU won't have to put up with Microsoft begging you to make Edge your default browser, thanks to the Digital Markets Act. However, the rest of the world will still get pop-ups to give Edge a go. Interestingly, research has shown that Chrome is the hungriest browser around, with Microsoft Edge using far fewer system resources. However, Bing itself, which Edge uses, is only a few steps behind Chrome in the amount of data it collects. With Microsoft Edge now being promoted as an AI browser, it still has a lot of competition in the market, with Perplexity AI launching its first AI browser, and Opera offering its own agentic AI browser. We're sure to see more tactics Microsoft uses to turn Edge into the browser for all (instead of Chrome), but if you want to uninstall Microsoft Edge instead, that's always an option.
Yahoo
10-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Nvidia-backed Perplexity launches AI-powered browser to take on Google Chrome
(Reuters) -Nvidia-backed Perplexity AI said on Wednesday it has launched Comet, a new web browser with AI-powered search capabilities, as the startup looks to challenge the dominance of market leader Alphabet's Google Chrome. The launch marks Perplexity AI's entry into the competitive browser market, aiming to replace traditional navigation with agentic AI that can think, act, and decide on behalf of users. Google Chrome held a commanding 68% share of the global browser market in June, according to StatCounter, cementing its position as the world's most widely used browser—far ahead of Safari, Microsoft Edge, and Firefox. Comet enables users to ask questions, perform tasks, and conduct research in a single, unified interface. The browser integrates a built-in assistant that can compare products, summarize content, book meetings, and transform complex workflows into simple, conversational experiences. Comet is currently available to subscribers who pay $200 per month for Perplexity Max, with broader access rolling out via invite over the summer. Backed by high-profile investors like Jeff Bezos, SoftBank, and Nvidia, Perplexity is leveraging the launch of Comet to directly challenge incumbents such as Google's Chrome and Microsoft's Edge, while also exploring new revenue streams in advertising and e-commerce. Last year, OpenAI added a search engine to ChatGPT and recently made the service available to all of its users. Google also introduced an AI-powered search feature, called AI Overviews, last May. Comet stores data locally and avoids model training on personal information—a move likely to appeal to privacy-conscious users. However, the company has come under criticism from media organizations such as News Corp-owned outlets, Forbes and Wired, and Wall Street Journal parent Dow Jones for using their content without consent or compensation. Perplexity has responded by launching a publisher partnership program to collaborate with news outlets.
Hindustan Times
10-07-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
OpenAI set to launch AI web browser this year, taking on Google Chrome
OpenAI is reportedly preparing to launch its own AI-powered web browser in the coming weeks, setting the stage for a direct challenge to Google Chrome's dominance in the browser market, according to Reuters. This move marks a significant step for OpenAI as it looks to expand its influence from chatbots and AI tools into the very way people access and interact with the internet. What will the browser be like? Unlike most browsers that simply act as a gateway to websites, OpenAI's new browser is expected to weave artificial intelligence into the browsing experience itself. The idea is to keep some user interactions within a ChatGPT-style chat interface which would allow people to perform tasks like booking tickets, filling out forms, or getting summaries of web pages without ever leaving the browser window. This could make browsing feel more like a conversation and less like a series of clicks and tabs. The browser is being built on Chromium, the open-source code that also powers Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, and Opera. This means it will support the same websites and extensions that users are already familiar with, making the switch less daunting for anyone curious about trying something new. OpenAI has even brought on board former Google executives who helped shape Chrome. What sets this browser apart is not just its AI features but also the direct access it will give OpenAI to user data. Chrome's ability to collect data on how people use the web is a major reason why it is so valuable to Google. It has helped the company target ads and keep its search engine as the default choice for billions. By building its own browser, OpenAI is aiming to tap into this same stream of information. Eventually, it could be used to make its AI smarter and more personalised for users. The stakes for OpenAI and Google Google Chrome currently holds more than two-thirds of the global browser market, with over 3 billion users. For Google, Chrome is not just a browser, it is a key pillar of its advertising business and a major traffic source for its search engine. If OpenAI's browser manages to attract even a fraction of ChatGPT's 500 million weekly users, it could start to chip away at Google's dominance and threaten a core part of its revenue. OpenAI's ambitions go beyond just browsers. The company has recently acquired an AI devices startup led by Apple's former design chief, signalling its intent to become a bigger player in both software and hardware. By controlling the browser, OpenAI can integrate its AI agents more deeply into daily life, letting them handle tasks for users and gather valuable insights along the way. The competition in the browser space is heating up, with other AI-first browsers like Perplexity's Comet and Brave also making moves. Whether OpenAI's new browser can truly change the way people surf the web remains to be seen, but its arrival is sure to shake up a market that has long been dominated by a handful of tech giants. First Published Date: 10 Jul, 15:32 IST
The Hindu
10-07-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Nvidia-backed Perplexity launches AI-powered browser to take on Google Chrome
Nvidia-backed Perplexity AI said on Wednesday it has launched Comet, a new web browser with AI-powered search capabilities, as the startup looks to challenge the dominance of market leader Alphabet's Google Chrome. The launch marks Perplexity AI's entry into the competitive browser market, aiming to replace traditional navigation with agentic AI that can think, act, and decide on behalf of users. Google Chrome held a commanding 68% share of the global browser market in June, according to StatCounter, cementing its position as the world's most widely used browser—far ahead of Safari, Microsoft Edge, and Firefox. Comet enables users to ask questions, perform tasks, and conduct research in a single, unified interface. The browser integrates a built-in assistant that can compare products, summarise content, book meetings, and transform complex workflows into simple, conversational experiences. Comet is currently available to subscribers who pay $200 per month for Perplexity Max, with broader access rolling out via invite over the summer. Backed by high-profile investors like Jeff Bezos, SoftBank, and Nvidia , Perplexity is leveraging the launch of Comet to directly challenge incumbents such as Google's Chrome and Microsoft's Edge, while also exploring new revenue streams in advertising and e-commerce. Last year, OpenAI added a search engine to ChatGPT and recently made the service available to all of its users. Google also introduced an AI-powered search feature, called AI Overviews, last May. Comet stores data locally and avoids model training on personal information—a move likely to appeal to privacy-conscious users. However, the company has come under criticism from media organizations such as News Corp-owned outlets, Forbes and Wired, and Wall Street Journal parent Dow Jones for using their content without consent or compensation. Perplexity has responded by launching a publisher partnership program to collaborate with news outlets.
