Malware disguises as Google Chrome download link on Microsoft Edge

We already know about the running joke of Microsoft Edge existing so you can download Google Chrome. But apparently Bing is causing a bit of trouble as it is supposedly returning search results that have malware and adware. Twitter user Gabriel Landau discovered this when he was searched “download chrome” on Bing, using the Microsoft Edge browser. He clicked on the first link that was marked as being from “google.com” and leads to a page that looks like the legitimate Google Chrome download page. But upon closer inspection, the URL of the page says “googleonline2018.com.” And if you don’t pay attention, you would think you were downloading the browser’s installer from the legitimate site. It even says you’re downloading “ChromeSetup.exe” when you press on the Download Chrome button. But when checking the file’s properties, it shows that it’s digitally signed by a company named Alpha Criteria, which isn’t Google.

How To Geek investigated the matter and found that the site is marked as a “deceptive site” by Chrome but it isn’t flagged as such by Microsoft Edge and Bing. The big problem here is it seems Bing isn’t checking the URL off the search result, which could make this deception easier to pull off. And it seems an issue like this has happened earlier in the year. Microsoft told How To Geek the fake ad has been taken down and accounts associated with the malicious content have been banned. However, they didn’t give an explanation on why the ad was marked as from “google.com” or that there will be an assurance that this won’t happen again.

Source: Digital Trends

Chrome 70 enables picture-in-picture mode on the desktop

The latest version of Google Chrome makes picture-in-picture mode a default feature in the web browser. As we already know what picture-in-picture mode does, it keeps videos in a floating window that’ll follow you around as you browse or even as you open another program. A few conditions though, the developers need to support it and you’ll need to keep the original tab open so the video keeps running. But once you updated your browser to Chrome 70, you just need to head over to YouTube and when you start playing a video right click on the video twice until the Chrome dropdown menu shows up. You can just select Picture in Picture option from there and then you’re good to go. 

Source: Engadget 

Google rolls out first ‘Assassin’s Creed Odyssey’ Project Stream invites in the US to bring console gaming to Chrome

Earlier this week, Google announced it was working with Ubisoft to beta test Assassin’s Creed Odyssey on its new Project Stream platform. The project is looking to solve the big issues associated with making AAA console titles playable on desktop version of Chrome. The test, unfortunately, is limited to the US right now but if you’re there, the users who signed up might be getting invites now. The game will be playable without the need to download anything. Users are given US$10 of in-game currency to spend and will get to play the game until January 15, 2019. Unfortunately, there will be no saved progress and achievements won’t be carried over to the final version of the game. Players are required to have Ubisoft accounts to play the game and would need connectivity speeds of at least 25 megabits per second. The Chrome browser for Mac, Windows, Linux, and Chrome OS need to be version 69 or above. It will support wired controllers, while trackpads aren’t recommended.

This test arrives amidst rumours that Google is working on a full-fledged streaming service for games that can take on the likes of the Microsoft’s and Sony’s services. It’ll reportedly work with a Chromecast-esque streaming dongle. But while that hasn’t been confirmed, this test does give us a peek into what Google can do for the gaming front.

Source: 9to5Google

A large number of Android devices won’t be able to run Google Chrome soon

A recent commit for Google Chrome suggests at least 32 million Android devices won’t be able to use the mobile browser soon. The API level for the Chrome mobile browser will be raised from 4.1 to 4.4, so this means those devices that still run on Android Jelly Bean will not be able to use Chrome. Based on the latest figures, Jelly Bean is still used on 3.2% of Android devices and if there are roughly one billion phones and tablets using Google’s open source mobile OS, this means it can possibly affect 32 million devices. But then again, it might be time for an upgrade. Android 4.1 Jelly Bean first came out on July 10, 2012, while the first stable version of Chrome on mobile came out on June 27, 2012.

Source: PhoneArena