Google Chrome 140 Adds Proxy Ip Address Protection for Incognito Users

Chrome is the most popular browser in the world, with 73.22% worldwide market share according to StatCounter. Billions of users open Chrome to check their emails, read the latest news, watch videos, play games, and more. Its ability to integrate with Google accounts has also made Chrome a logical choice, especially for those using Android smartphones.

Fortunately, Google continues to update Chrome to ensure user security, and the recent release focuses on user privacy. Although still limited in its scope, it's a smart step forward in protecting users against unauthorized snooping and the use of personal data.

Chrome 140 Updates

According to Quasa.io, Chrome 140 comes with a handful of updates, which include enhanced security for its users. In essence, Chrome can now hide the user’s IP address by providing a proxy. Online users are now fully aware that their IP addresses are collected and monitored by websites and apps. Many are uncomfortable sharing their data due to security concerns. The latest update aims to provide Chrome users with additional security while browsing.

Advertising Concerns Also Addressed

Advocacy for privacy, unfortunately, comes with some challenges, especially from advertisers. One of the largest sources of revenue for Google is from online advertising. They are aware that they should also serve their clients by providing a platform for ads that target specific clients. A proxy IP address that hides users’ location can compromise efficient ad targeting.

Google addresses this concern with the use of Probabilistic Reveal Token or PRT. Through this token, a hidden IP address will be replaced by a random IP address. The replacement will still provide the approximate location of the user, which can be used for ad targeting. Additional personal information, such as age, is not given to advertisers. However, they are given an approximation of the age group they want to target.

Scope and Limitation

While the latest update from Chrome is a step forward for online security, it still has its limitations. To enable the use of a proxy IP address, users have to enable incognito mode. Users may need to log in to their Google account to save their browser activity. Websites that require a username and a password will also require a separate login.

Protection is also limited to iframes loaded within the website and other third-party websites. While no specific reason is given, it is possible that Google decided to reveal its users' IP addresses even in incognito mode to ensure the sites they access provide the service they need.

How to Update Chrome

Updating Chrome is relatively easy. Simply go to Help, click on About Chrome, and the browser will automatically check for updates. If the update is available, it will download the update automatically. Simply reopen the browser to enjoy the latest updates and new features that come with it. Mobile phone users can check Google Play to install the latest browser version.

The latest Chrome 140 update has been implemented across PC and mobile platforms, including Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS, as well as the latest build of Chromium for Linux users.