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Chrome for Android 4.1 Receives Reinforced Sandbox

By Andy Sim - on 13 Sep 2012, 10:13am

Chrome for Android (Jellybean) Receives Reinforced Sandbox

Image credit: Google Inc.

Chrome for Android will receive a new update from Google which provides the mobile web browser with a strengthened sandbox. According to the search giant, the update will help ensure malicious mobile sites are contained instead of impacting the entire browser. However, this particular update is only applicable to Android 4.1 (Jellybean) users. Other versions of Chrome for Android (note that Chrome only works with Android 4.0 and above), will receive security and feature updates without the sandbox fix.

"Security is one of the core principles of Chrome, and as mobile usage proliferates, we’re committed to providing users a safe browsing experience regardless of the device they're on. With today's Chrome for Android update on Google Play, your browsing experience on Android just got safer. 

This release strengthens Chrome for Android’s sandbox technology, which helps ensure malicious mobile websites are contained and do not impact the entire browser. This is made possible by the innovative multi-process architecture in Chrome for Android, in conjunction with Android’s User ID (UID) isolation technology. This more in-depth sandboxing capability will be automatically used for devices with Android 4.1, Jellybean. 

This update will also fix a number of bugs and is available to users with Android 4.0, Ice Cream Sandwich and up. We hope you enjoy this update and continue to enjoy the speed, simplicity and security that Chrome is known for wherever you go."

- Jay Civelli, Software Engineer and Process Juggler, Google.

In addition, the update also changes how YouTube videos function in Chrome. For instance, video controls now function in full-screen mode, and videos will continue to play following a screen lock or unlock. Third-party entry methods such as Swype will also work better with Chrome. Although the reinforced sandbox is restricted to Jellybean, the remaining security fixes and feature updates are applicable to Android 4.0+ users as well.

Source: TechCrunch and Google Chrome Blog

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