A recent bug at Google Chrome has wiped stored passwords for an estimated 15 million Windows users. According to a report by Forbes, it happened on July 24 and 25. This stressed critical sectors such as healthcare, airlines, and banks.
The issue was linked to one of the changes made in the way Google Chrome handles passwords, at least within the Google Password Manager. More than three million users rely on that tool to store and autofill passwords. That happened with Chrome’s release of version M127, whereby users could not view their saved passwords or save new ones.
For nearly 18 hours, users couldn’t use their saved passwords, causing widespread frustration. To help, Google suggested a temporary fix: using a command-line flag to get around the problem. Having patched the bug, Google recommended that users restart their browsers to regain access to their passwords.
Google apologized for the inconvenience the glitch was causing and addressed concerns about how far users can rely on online password managers for storing their credentials. Many people use them for almost everything—from work to personal stuff. This incident raises questions on the risks involved in relying solely on a digital solution while storing sensitive information.
This Chrome glitch inherently goes on to point out that there are vulnerabilities to our digital lives. It, therefore, calls for backup plans and carefulness when dealing with data online to avert future problems.
Get the Latest News Updates and Stay Informed with FELA NEWS!
Source: Livemint
