The Indian Computer Emergency Response Team of India (CERT-In) has issued an urgent warning for millions of Google Chrome desktop users, of hacking if they don’t update their browsers right away. The cyber security watchdog said it had identified multiple vulnerabilities in Chrome that could let attackers run malicious code on a system, crash it, or steal sensitive personal data.
The affected system versions, including Google Chrome versions prior to 139.0.7258/.128 for Windows and MacOS and Google Chrome versions prior to 139.0.7258.127 for Linux, are at high risk. Those running any of these older versions are highly vulnerable to the threat, said CERT-IN.
Hackers could use these flaws to trick users into visiting specially crafted websites or clicking malicious links. From there, they could gain unauthorised access to files, passwords, and other private information, or even cause your system to crash.
According to the notification, Google has confirmed five security bugs in total, three rated as “high risk” and two as “medium risk,” for these systems. The tech giant has already released security patches to protect the device, and the users are advised to update to the latest versions.
For Windows and Mac users, the stable channel update with fixes is already live. Linux users will get their stable update in the coming days, Google said. To update to the latest versions, follow these simple steps.
To stay protected in the future, CERT-In recommends enabling automatic updates so security patches are installed as soon as they’re released.
Additionally, users should be alert to signs their systems may be compromised, such as sudden slowdowns, unexpected pop-ups, or programs running without permission.
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