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Chrome disabling uBlock Origin is a serious security threat

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61–70 of 91 posts

Re: Chrome disabling uBlock Origin is a serious security threat

#61
post #43

I'll go against the grain and say this is not a security threat. if missing ublock is a true security concern you shouldn't be using chrome. Because the opposite is not true - that chrome+ublock is keeping you secure from tracking. We just don't want to see ads. Isn't that enough?

There are malicious ads and dark patterns around ad design to trick users into clicking them. I don't think it's security in the "vulnerability" sense or "privacy" sense but more in the "phishing prevention" sense. Think of those "click here to OPTIMIZE YOUR PC" adware junk you'd prefer anyone you provide tech support for to never see

Then you also get absolute scum bags pushing that stuff via push notifications too https://www.lloydatkinson.net/posts/2022/consider-disabling-...

Re: Chrome disabling uBlock Origin is a serious security threat

#63
post #43

I'll go against the grain and say this is not a security threat. if missing ublock is a true security concern you shouldn't be using chrome. Because the opposite is not true - that chrome+ublock is keeping you secure from tracking. We just don't want to see ads. Isn't that enough?

There are malicious ads and dark patterns around ad design to trick users into clicking them. I don't think it's security in the "vulnerability" sense or "privacy" sense but more in the "phishing prevention" sense. Think of those "click here to OPTIMIZE YOUR PC" adware junk you'd prefer anyone you provide tech support for to never see

Those ads aren't being blocked by ublock lite?

Re: Chrome disabling uBlock Origin is a serious security threat

#64

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You'll be happy to know that recently I shipped a bug that only crashes (in) Chrome, but not Firefox, because I only really develop in Firefox.

Wow, crashes all of Chrome and not only the tab process?

Ah sorry no. Just a naive error throwing an exception that's easier to hit in Chrome than Firefox.

Pro tip - don't try and spread 200k arguments into a function!

Re: Chrome disabling uBlock Origin is a serious security threat

#65
post #17

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Not a big deal on the desktop and a small deal on the laptop, ad blocking gives a noticeable performance gain on Android. Years ago when I had one of those Intel Atom netbooks you could tell a pretty big difference since it was pretty RAM constrained.

This is unpopular every time I say it, but by in large people just shouldn't be browsing the web on mobile. Every single aspect of the experience is worse, and is likely to continue to get worse over time: - tiny phone screen - objectively worse mobile-site - far worse touch-screen-based UI - the entire iOS side of things has far fewer choices for any sort of effective ad blocking Is it possible for a savvy technolog…

>- the entire iOS side of things has far fewer choices for any sort of effective ad blocking

That might be true in theory but I haven't seen many ads in practice. What type of sites are you going to that's laden with unblockable ads?

Re: Chrome disabling uBlock Origin is a serious security threat

#66
post #55

Earlier quoted context omitted.

What special feature does she use that is absolutely untransferable to FF? I have both browsers icons next to each other and sometimes I launch the other by mistake. For normal browsing I only spot the difference due to various pages having different logins ie from my wife or not being logged in. If somebody is able to use internet (god forbid even do some payments on it) then I am pretty sure they could understand t…

The UI is not exactly the same. Maybe it can be OK if I transfer all the favorites, homepage, install a Chrome-looking theme, and more importantly if I change the icon lol. Not even kidding. She only uses it because she needs to, but she would be happier without it.

I installed Ubuntu for many people in their 80s. Give her some time with FF, you don’t have to remove chrome, just hand her FF. I bet she does just fine.

Re: Chrome disabling uBlock Origin is a serious security threat

#67
post #57

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Suggesting we all stay on Chrome forks is indeed advocating for Chrome when options exist.

I see I said "Chrome" in the original post but the other poster replied with "Chromium". I intended "Chromium forks and derivatives" Maybe you consider those just as bad, though

Chrome/Chromium is not a bad browser, and that's not what the commentor you're replying to said. The chromium family all uses a single browser engine. It's bad for the health of the web if everyone uses the same engine. If everyone uses the same engine, any bug, vulnerability, or engine quirk is experienced by EVERYONE if there's only 1 browser.

Re: Chrome disabling uBlock Origin is a serious security threat

#68

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The UI is not exactly the same. Maybe it can be OK if I transfer all the favorites, homepage, install a Chrome-looking theme, and more importantly if I change the icon lol. Not even kidding. She only uses it because she needs to, but she would be happier without it.

I installed Ubuntu for many people in their 80s. Give her some time with FF, you don’t have to remove chrome, just hand her FF. I bet she does just fine.

Are you taking upon yourself to do this for all uBO users that need it without knowing?

If you do, you acknowledge that "Chrome disabling uBlock Origin is a serious security threat."

If you don't, then "Chrome disabling uBlock Origin is a serious security threat" seems even more true.

Either way, I'm curious on the size of your bet here. Talk is cheap, and you've only given OP the laziest and most obvious solution. Do you believe what you said is profound and/or an interesting argument?

Re: Chrome disabling uBlock Origin is a serious security threat

#69
post #22

"There are a few alternatives available. Unfortunately, moving to Firefox may not be a viable option for her, especially given Mozilla’s recent behavior." The world has gone crazy. So this relative has casually used the most bloated spyware disguised as a browser for literally a decade, but she can't switch to firefox because 'Mozilla’s recent behavior'.

Isn't the simple middle ground to use a Chrome fork that doesn't block uBlock? Edit: Chromium forks/derivatives

The problem is that any forks wanting to keep MV2 addons available, is to backport the code for each update. The user would need to sideload the addon since it won't be in the Chrome addon store, and that if the uBo dev even maintain the Chrome version after official support is dropped.

Re: Chrome disabling uBlock Origin is a serious security threat

#70
post #22

"There are a few alternatives available. Unfortunately, moving to Firefox may not be a viable option for her, especially given Mozilla’s recent behavior." The world has gone crazy. So this relative has casually used the most bloated spyware disguised as a browser for literally a decade, but she can't switch to firefox because 'Mozilla’s recent behavior'.

Isn't the simple middle ground to use a Chrome fork that doesn't block uBlock? Edit: Chromium forks/derivatives

Brave is awesome. My Mom runs it on a 2014 macbook air just fine and she can't stand ads now.
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