Chromebook, ChromeOS and Google Chrome browser news
Google’s Password Checker, which will alert you if it sees your account credentials in database of 4 billion known breached accounts, lands on the web. Here’s how to use it on your Chromebook until Google integrates it into Chrome OS.
Google introduced a Password Checkup extension in February, and flagged 315,000 passwords as unsafe due to data breaches that first month. Chrome OS 78 will natively include a similar feature for improved online protections.
Using SMS for two-factor authentication (2FA) is the least secure option to protect your Google account and your Chromebook. Here’s how to bolster security on both and what can happen if you don’t.
If you’ve noticed your Chromebook performance to be a little slower with Chrome OS 74, it’s could be due to a change in how your Chromebook handles CPU hyperthreading. Here’s the issue and how to re-enable hyperthreading if you want to.
Can’t wait to have native VPN support for Linux apps in Project Crostini? You don’t need to: The Chrome OS 75 Dev Channel now extends Android VPN security to Linux on a Chromebook.
Using an Android VPN app on your Chromebook? That’s great as long as you stay in Chrome OS: You won’t get VPN security when using Linux apps. A recent code commit suggests that Chrome OS will extend Android VPN support to Linux, however.
It’s not an official commitment to a particular release, but Google is considering a way to sideload Android apps from outside of the Google Play Store on a Chromebook in the next few months. It’s going to depend on security and other priorities, however.
A small code change will lead to a largely desired function, particularly for enterprise users: VPN support for Linux apps in Crostini on a Chromebook. Yes, you can use an Android VPN app for Chrome OS, but that security won’t extend to Linux.
Unlike the Chrome browser on Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS, Chrome OS doesn’t require additional authentication when viewing your saved passwords. That may change due to a bug report, although there’s a debate on if this should just apply to enterprises.
Google added new Family Link features on Chromebooks that allow parents to have more control over how, and how long, their kids use Chrome OS devices. Not every family wants to manage devices, but for those that do, this is a great option to have.
Google’s Titan security key is now available for $50 and adds a second authentication factor for online accounts to mitigate phishing attacks. Guess what: You can use it for 2FA logins on your Chromebook too.
