Government Warns Chrome Users About Serious Security Threats
Millions of Google Chrome users in India have been urged to update their browsers immediately after cybersecurity experts discovered critical flaws that could allow hackers to steal data and hijack systems remotely.
India’s most widely used web browser, Google Chrome, has come under a major security alert after the country’s cybersecurity agency flagged several dangerous vulnerabilities in its desktop versions. The warning has been issued by the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology. Officials have described the issue as critical and advised users to install the latest browser update without delay.
According to the advisory, the security flaws affect Chrome versions running on Windows, Mac and Linux systems. Experts warned that attackers could exploit these weaknesses to gain unauthorized access to devices, execute harmful code, steal personal information or even crash systems completely. The agency said both individual users and organizations are at risk if outdated versions continue to be used.
Cybersecurity researchers explained that the vulnerabilities exist in multiple Chrome components including WebRTC, GPU, QUIC, XR and other browser processes. Hackers may use specially crafted websites or malicious links to trick users into opening infected pages. Once clicked, these links could allow attackers to bypass security protections and take control of the targeted device.
The advisory highlighted that Chrome versions older than 148.0.7778.178 on Linux and versions below 148.0.7778.178 or 179 on Windows and Mac are especially vulnerable. These flaws may also lead to denial of service attacks, buffer overflow issues and unauthorized execution of malicious software.
Security analysts say such attacks are becoming more sophisticated as cybercriminals increasingly target browsers because they contain sensitive personal and financial information. Since many users store passwords, payment details and login sessions in browsers, a successful breach can expose a large amount of private data within minutes.
The government has asked users not to ignore update notifications and to install the latest Chrome version immediately. Updating the browser is considered the safest way to close the identified loopholes and protect devices from possible attacks.
Users can update Chrome by opening the browser settings and visiting the About Chrome section. The browser automatically checks for available updates and installs them. After installation, users are advised to restart the browser to ensure the security patch becomes active.
Cybersecurity experts also recommend avoiding suspicious websites, unknown downloads and random links received through email or messaging apps. They believe simple precautions combined with timely software updates can significantly reduce the risk of online attacks.
With internet usage growing rapidly across the country, officials are urging people to treat browser security seriously. Even a small delay in updating software can leave systems exposed to cyber threats that may compromise personal and professional data.
