Whether you use Chrome, Firefoxor both, it’s time again to update your browser. Yes, these constant updates can be tedious, but sometimes they are really necessary or can at least give you useful new features. So what’s new in the latest editions of these two?

What’s new in Chrome

Released Tuesday for WindowsMacOS and Linux, Chrome version 130.0.6723.91/.92 includes fixes for two security vulnerabilities. One is considered critical, while the other is rated high.

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The critical bug nicknamed CVE-2024-10487 is described as an “out-of-bounds write in Dawn”, meaning that a remote attacker could have performed an out-of-bounds memory access via a crafted HTML page.

What does all this mean? Dawn is an open source implementation that Chrome adopts for WebGPU, an API that allows web pages to use your PC’s graphics processing unit. With this unpatched vulnerability, an attacker could exploit a web page to execute their malicious code.

The irony here is that the bug was discovered by researchers in Apple’s security engineering and architecture department, who brought it to Google’s attention. With all the rivalry between Apple and Google, it’s good to know that they are monitoring each other for our mutual benefit.

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The bug ranked High, designated CVE-2024-10488is described as a “use after free in WebRTC”, which allows a remote attacker to potentially exploit heap corruption via a crafted HTML page. WebRTC is an open source project that allows browsers and mobile applications to share audio, video and data through APIs without the need for third-party plugins. With this bug, a hacker could have exploited free memory to launch an attack.

How to update Chrome

To update Chrome on your desktop, click the three-dot icon at the top right, go to Help, and select About Google Chrome. The browser will download and install the latest update, then ask you to restart it.

What’s new in Firefox

Now for Firefox. Also released Tuesday, Firefox version 132 fixes 11 security vulnerabilities. Two of them are rated High, six are Moderate and three are Low.

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A bug rated High is CVE-2024-10459which would have allowed an attacker to crash a program via which he could then execute malicious code. The other vulnerability considered high and designated as CVE-2024-10458 could have allowed an attacker to transfer sensitive permissions from a trusted site to an untrusted site.

Beyond security fixes, the latest Firefox offers much more. On the eve of 20th anniversary of its browserwhich launched on November 9, 2004Mozilla has added some extras to the new edition.

With Microsoft PlayReady encrypted media playback Now rolling out to the web, Firefox is launching 1080p playback as a benchmark and 4K Ultra HD support for major streaming services. According to Mozilla, the advantage is that there is less battery consumption and better performance when streaming movies and TV shows from different services.

How to update Firefox

Click the three-line icon, select Help, then click About Firefox. The latest version will be installed, after which you will be prompted to restart the browser.

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Third-party cookies remain a persistent and annoying problem on the web. Firefox now automatically blocks these cookies when Enhanced Tracking Protection strict mode is enabled. Offering three different levels, Enhanced Tracking Protection aims to protect you from social media trackers, cross-site cookies, crypto miners, fingerprinting, and other threats.

To check or change your level, click the three-line icon in the top right, select Settings, then go to Privacy & Security. You can choose from Standard, Strict, and Custom tiers.