Google releases security fix for zero-day vulnerability. Update now.

Google Chrome users are urged to update Chrome for desktop after Google releases important security patch to fix a zero-day exploit. Here’s what that means and how to do it.

If Google are releasing a security patch to fix a zero-day exploit, it means that there exists a vulnerability in Google Chrome that crooks are actively exploiting right now. In fact, they were exploiting the vulnerability before Google were even aware there was a vulnerability.

Zero-day refers to the number of days Google had to release a security patch for a vulnerability once they were aware crooks were exploiting it. That is to say, zero.

Not much is known about the vulnerability, or the crooks exploiting it. This is normal for newly released patches, since Google want the majority of people to install it before too much information is released publicly. Once details of a vulnerability and security patch go public, it can be exploited by more cyber crooks if most users haven’t had a chance to install the security patch yet.

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Google Chrome will automatically update for most users at some point, but to force the update (or check if you’re updated) then click the three-dot or three-lined icon on the top right of the screen and click Help and then About Chrome.

There your version listing will appear, and you want version 89.0.4389.72 or above. If an update installs itself when you’re on this page, let it download and click Relaunch when the option appears, which relaunches Chrome and finishes the update (note that Incognito tabs won’t relaunch.)

And that’s it!