We’ve all heard of the hype about the new internet browser – Google Chrome. In the name of open source, this browser is said to load faster than any other browser, provides crash control, omnibox1, among others. They even had a Google Book explaining the key engineering decisions of Google Chrome in comics! But what’s there that is not mentioned? We’ll try to find out in this issue.
The Omnibox or The Pandora’s Box?
The search bar sitting quietly at the top of Google Chrome looks like the ordinary address bar in any other browsers. But in it lies more capabilities – it doubles as a search bar, provides auto‐suggest on the searches while you type away. But is that all to it? According to CNET News, that auto‐suggest feature, along with Google as the default search engine, could be the Pandora’s Box. Google has access to every keystroke you key – you read it right – even before you hit enter. Not stopping at that, Google has the intention to retain the data, along with the Internet Protocol address (which is unique to each user to the point that it can be used to track you down to a specific location) that keyed it in.
To Chrome, Or Not To Chrome?
Google made Chrome as “a browser that combines a minimal design with sophisticated technology to make the web faster, safer, and easier”. Now, that was easy… Until someone came out with UnChrome. According to Abelssoft, each Google Chrome installation is tagged with a unique ID. This gives Google much ability to identify users wherever they may be in this world. Abelssoft attempts to remove this unique ID with UnChrome. Simply download the file, follow the steps mentioned in the site and that should remove you from that unique ID. They really made it easy – or did they?
Article written by Terence Poon • terence@techsupport.com.sg
Tech Support Singapore Pte Ltd • IT Support and Services – The Way IT Should Be
1 Omnibox (definition abstracted from Google Chrome Help): “In Google Chrome, you can get anywhere on the Web with one box. The address bar that sits at the top of the normal Google Chrome window simplifies your Internet experience by doubling as a search box. You can also use it to bookmark websites and stay aware about the security of a website”
