Google has released Chrome 99.0.4844.74 to fix several vulnerabilities for its Chrome browser. The update fixes 11 security vulnerabilities.

The Chrome Release Blog lists ten fixed vulnerabilities that have been discovered and reported by external researchers. One of the vulnerabilities is classified as critical, none are already being exploited for attacks.

Google has identified the CVE-2022-0971 vulnerability as critical. This is a use-after-free vulnerability in the Blink Layout component. Another eight vulnerabilities, almost all use-after-free vulnerabilities, are classified by Google as high risk.

New bookmark functionality

There is now a new button to the right of the extensions or to the left of the profile. Clicking on it opens a new window with two tabs: Reading List and Bookmarks. As usual, all previously saved links can be found under bookmarks. You can also save content for later under Reading List. These appear as read as soon as you click on them.

With this new design, Google eliminates the need for the bookmarks bar while still retaining the ability for quick access. The disappearance of the bar also gives users more space on the screen for the actual web content. The reading list is similarly easy to access without being overly invasive.

If you prefer the old design, you can get it back relatively easily using the so-called flags. These are advanced setting options for experienced users. To open it, type chrome://flags in the address bar. Then look for Side Panel and set the corresponding entry to Disabled. You then have to restart the browser.

Other Chromium-based browsers

The manufacturers of Chromium-based browsers are now being asked to update their programs. The current Microsoft Edge version 99.0.1150.39 and Brave 1.36.112 contain Chromium 99.0.4844.51. Vivaldi 5.1.2567.57 still uses Chromium version 98.0.4758.121, which has the same security level. This means that these browsers were up to date by the beginning of this week. Opera is lagging behind by two security updates, because Opera 84.0.4316.31 is still based on Chromium 98.0.4758.109.

Chrome 99.0.4844.78 for Android is also already available.

On Windows, for example, you can check the installed output by clicking on the three vertical dots in the top right and then on Help, About Google Chrome. This also triggers the update process, which actually runs automatically.