Your Google Chrome Web Browser needs an immediate update — if it hasn’t taken the step on its own.
A new update this week is designed to fix an active zero-day exploit being used to take over PCs. While Chrome typically runs its own updates, this is one of those times you should make sure the app is current.
What is a Zero Day?
A zero day exploit occurs when new software is dropped and hackers locate a vulnerability that is not yet known by developers. Zero day, a phrase dating back to online bulletin boards, references the number of days the developer has been aware of the problem.
Little information is known at this time of whom is using the exploit, however, there is speculation North Korea may have been involved.
Two days ago, Google released a report about ongoing efforts for North Korea to exploit web browsers in an attempt to install malware. The company does not confirm a link between the two events, but their proximity is curious.
How to Check Your Browser
Regardless of how it has been used, Google is encouraging users to be sure their software has been updated to patch the hole.
To check your current version, go to settings, then click “About Chrome.” There it will let you know the current version. It should read 88.
Such exploits are nothing new to browsers. In 2020, Google fixed a trio of zero days, all in less than a month.
There have been a number of well-documented zero day attacks over the years, several of which are quite memorable.
For example, the Aurora hack in 2010 was a result of suspected Chinese hackers finding their way into corporations through Microsoft Internet Explorer. They managed to access companies like Adobe, Google and many others.
The group is supposedly still active and suspected in eight other attacks.
