Google Chrome is one of the most popular browsers on the Internet. Launched in 2008, the browser has already surpassed the two billion mark of active installations, according to The Verge. Some aspects of its operation, however, still cause doubts among users. The incognito mode completely private? Does Chrome consume a lot of RAM? Can Google track user activity by browser? Find out from the list below what I myth and what is true about everything you said about Google Chrome.
READ: Chrome trick 'ends' network discussions
How to update Google Chrome on mobile
Want to buy a cell phone, TV and other discounted products? Meet the Compare dnetc
1. Chrome consumes a lot of RAM
Google Chrome runs each tab, extension and plugin in separate processes Photo: Playback / Google Books
Truth. The browser is designed to store each plugin, extension and tab in separate processes in the user's operating system. The idea of the developers was to prevent Chrome from having to restart entirely in case of problems. With this isolation system, if the browser has seven tabs open and some site crashes, for example, only one tab stops working, leaving all six others operating normally.
Practicality, however, comes at a price: multiple processes running at the same time consume a good amount of computer RAM. Other browsers, such as Opera and Firefox, also follow this method of storing each tab in a different process, but most are based on Chromium's open source structure.
2. Google can monitor user activity through Chrome
True, but with caveats. Since browser version 69, when someone accesses the Google services account (Gmail or YouTube, for example) through the browser, the browser automatically logs the user into Chrome as well. Thus, the navigation data may be sent to the searcher without explicit permission of the person. The function, however, can easily be disabled, which takes browser control over logging in and out of Google accounts.
you can disable Chrome control over internet and app activity Photo: Playback / Ana Letcia Loubak
Those who prefer automatic sign-in due to the convenience of integration can also disable Chrome monitoring. To do this, just go to the My Account page (myaccount.google), go to the Data & Personalization section, and under Activity Controls, turn off the key next to Web & App Activity.
3. Chrome the most used browser in the world
Google Chrome the most popular browser in the world Photo: Melissa Cruz / dnetc
Truth. According to a ranking released by W3Counter in July, Google Chrome is the most popular browser, accounting for more than half (55.4%) of Internet traffic. The browser followed by Safari (12.5%), Internet Explorer and Edge (8.6%) and Firefox (6.5%). At only 2.8%, Opera (2.8%) occupies the last position on the list.
4. The totally private incognito mode
Chrome's incognito mode doesn't prevent data collection by third parties Photo: Reproduction / Fernando Telles
Myth. Navigating through the incidental window prevents the browsing history from being stored in Google Chrome, preventing ads tailored to the user's interests and searches from appearing on all websites visited. However, a study has already proved that the use of this method does not prevent third parties from tracking information. Still, the valid option is to find cheaper area tickets and use two accounts of the same service at the same time.
5. Chrome loads YouTube faster than competitors
Chrome has unique API that speeds video upload on YouTube Photo: Barbara Mannara / dnetc
Truth. The YouTube site opens five times faster in Chrome than in Firefox and other browsers. The charge was made by Chris Peterson, technical programming manager of Mozilla, the company responsible for Firefox, on Twitter. According to him, this is because Google developed YouTube with a specific API (application programming interface) available only in Chrome, which impairs the loading speed of the site in competitors.
YouTube page load is 5x slower in Firefox and Edge than in Chrome because YouTube's Polymer redesigns relies on the deprecated Shadow DOM v0 API only implemented in Chrome. You can restore YouTube's faster Pre-Polymer design with this Firefox extension: https://t.co/F5uEn3iMLR
– July 24, 2018
The solution, according to Peterson, is to install an extension called "YouTube Classic" that takes users to an earlier version of the video portal, but which is faster than the current one.
6. Updates are made every six weeks
Chrome Platform Status Shows Progress of Developing Versions Photo: Playback / Chrome Platform Status
True, but with caveats. Chrome is developed in open code, meaning anyone can download browser beta updates. As far as stable versions are concerned, updates usually released every six weeks. Chrome 73, for example, was released on March 12, and Chrome 74 was released on April 23, exactly six weeks later. Sometimes, however, it takes a little longer to make the new adjustments: the case of Chrome 76, released two months after its predecessor.
Anyone curious about the development progress of the next update can visit the Chrome Platform Status website (chromestatus/features/schedule). In addition to providing information about the versions being tested, the platform also shows when the current version became stable.
7. Chrome Catalogs Unsafe Websites
The presence of the letter "S" after the abbreviation "HTTP" indicates that the site is secure. Photo: Reproduction / Google
Truth. Google Chrome marks HTTP sites that collect passwords or credit card information as insecure since 2017. The browser then issued the secure site alert whenever the user typed something in any text field.
In July 2018, however, with the release of version 68, the browser started cataloging any and all pages that use HTTP connections with the unsecured seal, regardless of any user action. The goal of the initiative is to encourage web page developers to use the HTTPS protocol, which provides end-to-end encryption between the site's server and computer, making data exchange more secure.
