Google Chrome Will No Longer Show 'Protected' At HTTPS Sites

To celebrate the tenth anniversary of Google Chrome, a new version of the browser has appeared that does not show the word 'secured' at https sites, makes using Flash Player more difficult, introduces an improved password manager and fixes 40 security vulnerabilities.

On 2 September 2008 , Google launched its own browser, which has since become the dominant browser. According to StatCounter, Chrome has a market share of almost 68 percent on the desktop . In the Netherlands, around 54 percent of desktop users would browse with Chrome. Yesterday evening the 69th version of Chrome appeared that contains all kinds of new features and improvements.

This allows Chrome 69 to enter passwords, address details and credit card numbers more accurately. It is data stored in the user's Google account and accessible directly from the Chrome toolbar. The browser also has an improved password manager that can generate unique passwords for websites and accounts. Saved passwords are then available to users with a Google account on both the computer and mobile devices.

Furthermore, Chrome 69 does not show the word "secured" on websites with a secure connection. Only the lock icon indicates that a secure connection is being used. Eventually the lock icon will also disappear. Google decided in July to display the message "Unprotected" at all http sites. The internet giant wants https sites to be the norm and users will only see a notification at http sites.

Also, in the browser measures have been taken to make the use of Adobe Flash Player more difficult. Previously, users could whitelists websites that wanted to access the built-in Flash Player. That has now changed. Users must allow this separately each time a website wants to enable Flash content, regardless of whether they have done so in previous sessions.

In addition, Google has fixed 40 vulnerabilities in the browser that prevented an attacker from stealing or modifying data from other websites in the worst case scenario. Updating to Chrome 69.0.3497.81 will happen automatically on most systems. For Android users, Chrome 69.0.3497.76 has been made available.