Google Chrome
Google Chrome is a web browser for opening websites, using web apps and downloading files. It’s made by Google, based in the United States.
Criminals have used its name in fake downloads or scams, so get it only from google.com.
What it is
Chrome is Google’s web browser. People use it to search the web, read websites and use online services. Google also provides Beta, Dev and Canary versions, plus Chrome for Testing for developers.
Chrome handles your browsing history, bookmarks and any passwords you save in it. Signing in lets you save information to your Google Account and choose whether to sync history and tabs. Camera, microphone and screen access support features such as video calls and screen sharing.
Chrome includes automatic updates and warnings about dangerous websites, downloads and extensions. Its privacy settings matter: Enhanced protection sends Google website addresses, samples of page content, extension activity and system information for security checks.
Who makes it
Google is a US technology company founded in 1998 and owned by Alphabet. Its legal name is Google LLC. Its website is about.google.
Google makes other software with flaws that attackers have used. Its page in Companies lists them.
Is it the real one?
Every Mac app carries a signature from the developer who made it. Apple checks who the developer is before handing out the certificate, and macOS refuses to open an app whose signature has been tampered with.
The real Google Chrome is signed by Google LLC, Apple team ID EQHXZ8M8AV. A copy signed by anyone else isn’t from Google. HARD’s Mac app checks this for you; to check by hand, open Terminal and run codesign -dv "/Applications/Google Chrome.app", and look for that TeamIdentifier.
Its bundle ID, the name macOS knows it by, is com.google.Chrome or com.google.Chrome.beta or com.google.Chrome.dev or com.google.Chrome.canary or com.google.chrome.for.testing. Download it only from google.com, not from an ad or a link someone sends you.
Fakes. In November 2023, Malwarebytes reported fake Chrome update pages on compromised websites targeting Mac users. The downloads installed Atomic Stealer, which stole passwords and files.
What it connects to
In normal use, Google Chrome talks to these places on the internet. A firewall that asks before apps connect, like the one in HARD’s Mac app, will show them.
| Address | Why |
|---|---|
tools.google.com | Checks for available updates. |
dl.google.com | Downloads updates. |
edgedl.me.gvt1.com | Downloads updates. |
update.googleapis.com | Updates extensions and web apps. |
safebrowsing.googleapis.com | Checks for dangerous websites and downloads. |
accounts.google.com | Signs in to your Google Account. |
www.gstatic.com | Checks whether a network requires a sign-in page. |
What it can see
macOS asks you before an app can use these. You can change them any time in System Settings → Privacy & Security.
| Permission | What it’s for |
|---|---|
| Camera | Lets permitted websites use your camera, such as during video calls. |
| Microphone | Lets permitted websites use your microphone, such as during video calls. |
| Screen & System Audio Recording | Supports screen sharing and recording in web services such as Google Meet. |
| Local Network | Finds and communicates with Cast devices on your network. |
| Location Services | Provides your location to websites when you allow it. |
| Bluetooth | Lets supported websites connect to Bluetooth devices, such as Pixel Buds. |
Security record
Problems with Google Chrome or Google in the last three years, newest first. Keeping the app up to date covers the ones that were fixed.
| When | What happened | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Google fixed critical memory flaws in Chrome’s graphics and page handling components in Chrome 157.0.8103.38/.39 for Mac. | ↗ | |
| Google reported an exploit for Chrome flaw CVE-2026-87491 and included a fix in Chrome 153.0.8010.36/.37 for Mac. | ↗ | |
| Google reported an exploit for Chrome flaw CVE-2026-85046 and included a fix in Chrome 152.0.7977.82/.83 for Mac. | ↗ |
References
- Google Chrome — official download page google.com
- Chromium documentation — Flavors of Google Chrome for the Mac chromium.googlesource.com
- Google Terms of Service — service provider policies.google.com
- Google — Our story about.google
- Alphabet 2015 Annual Report — Google ownership abc.xyz
- Get your bookmarks, passwords, and more on all your devices support.google.com
- Choose your Safe Browsing protection level in Chrome support.google.com
- Update Google Chrome support.google.com
- Set up a hostname allowlist support.google.com
- Use your camera and microphone in Chrome support.google.com
- Troubleshoot recording issues in meetings support.google.com
- No Cast destination found support.google.com
- Manage your location settings in Chrome support.google.com
- Update your Pixel Buds firmware and web companion app support.google.com
- Malwarebytes — Atomic Stealer distributed to Mac users via fake browser updates malwarebytes.com
- Chrome Releases — Stable Channel Update for Desktop, 3 November 2026 chromereleases.googleblog.com
- Chrome Releases — Stable Channel Update for Desktop, 8 September 2026 chromereleases.googleblog.com
- Chrome Releases — Stable Channel Update for Desktop, 3 September 2026 chromereleases.googleblog.com
- The signature on a real installed copy, read by HARD with
codesign.