Online Marketing Blog from metrocafe311

With the launch of two new browsers, Microsoft’s Internet Explorer 8 and Google Chrome, it is apparent that the battle between the companies continues to heat up. But it seems that security issues for Google Chrome may delay its rise to dizzying heights.

Following Interactive Return’s initial investigation of Google Chrome, one cannot deny that it may soon become a mainstream competitor for Internet Explorer and Mozilla Firefox. According to Clicky.com, Chrome has already achieved 2.5% of the global market. However, the leading browsers don’t seem to be worried because everyone is asking the privacy question; and they are not liking the answer.

First issue at hand was found in reading the Chrome Terms of Service, which was overlooked by many first time users. Ross Fadner of Read Write Web pointed out that some verbiage in the Terms of Service is a bit frightening with concerns on how much access Google has to our personal information. A snippet from the terms said: “a perpetual, irrevocable, worldwide, royalty-free, and non-exclusive license to reproduce, adapt, modify, translate, publish, publicly perform, publicly display and distribute any Content which you submit, post or display on or through, the Services.” While Google removed this section from its terms, the words were shocking enough to get people investigating other security issues.

The security vulnerability that is stirring the most controversy is one that apparently stems from using an older, flawed version of Webkit. Ryan Naraine of ZDNet.com says Chrome is “vulnerable to a carpet-bombing vulnerability that could expose Windows users to malicious hacker attacks.” A security researcher discovered the problem just hours after its launch as a flaw in Apple Safari (Webkit) and a Java bomb to “trick users into launching executables direct from the new browser.”

With Google’s known advances in personalised search, Chrome was bound to be the victim of questioning; but the discovery of the outlined security issues are steering people away from the new browser in order to keep their personal information safe.

All the while, Microsoft released their new Internet Explorer 8 with many of the same features Chrome offers, including an emphasis on “InPrivate Browsing” and the possible ability for the browser to block advertisements; and it seems Chrome’s security issues will lead many straight into the hands of Microsoft. However, the browser’s ability to block advertisements is sparking fear in ad agencies for the ability to distribute, track, and even monetise within the fast-growing Internet ad industry.

Considering the security issues when browsing, it seems that most of the experts here at Interactive Return will continue to use Internet Explorer and Mozilla Firefox; but we certainly won’t hold a blind eye to what Google Chrome’s new browser may mean for the future of the web and how we will optimise for our clients.

Emer Lawn, Online Marketing Executive, Interactive Return