Google To Block Local Chrome Extensions On Windows Starting In January 260
An anonymous reader writes "Google today announced it will block local Chrome extensions starting in January, but only on the Windows platform. This means that next year, Windows users will only be able to install extensions for the company's browser from the Chrome Web Store. The changes will affect both Chrome's stable and beta channels on Windows. Google says it will continue to support local extension installs on its Dev and Canary channels, as well as installs via Enterprise policy. Chrome apps are not affected at all and will continue to be supported normally."
Ugh (Score:5, Informative)
I use an extension to download videos from YouTube. Those tend to be blocked from the Web Store, so you have to install them manually from other websites (this is the bit that is getting blocked). I hope there is at least a command line switch left in to disable this behavior! It's very "walled garden" and I don't like it.
BTW, the summary says "local extensions" but that is incorrect. It just blocks non-Chrome Web Store web extensions. Extensions you are actively developing and load via "Load unpacked extension" will still work.
Actually, that might have to be the fix for my YouTube extension I use. Oh well.
Re:Or, of course extensions that google doesn't li (Score:5, Informative)
See Also: Google Chrome 25 will disable silent extension installation, kill all such extensions retroactively [thenextweb.com]
Friday, 21 Dec 2012
Translation: Google still can't figure out how to secure Chrome from stealth installs of malware.
Re:wtf google? (Score:4, Informative)
http://www.androidpolice.com/2013/11/04/merging-of-google-voice-and-hangouts-will-result-shutting-down-all-3rd-party-voice-apps-in-may-2014/ [androidpolice.com]
Yes, you can use a 3rd party VoIP app with a 3rd party provider, but having the Google integration was really nice. And how many will be free? Only ones i know of hook into Google voice .. all the rest are pay, so might as well keep using your cell minutes.
Re:Or, of course extensions that google doesn't li (Score:2, Informative)
Adblock definitely not be available to chrome soon
All adblock apps and addons were banned from google play store already.
Firefox is only browser on android and desktop that will support adblock plugin soon.
Plus they've realy exposed their hate of adblock on google groups forums
Re:Or, of course extensions that google doesn't li (Score:5, Informative)
Adblock is on the Chrome Web Store.
Re:Or, of course extensions that google doesn't li (Score:5, Informative)
If that were the motivation, would they not also do this on the Mac?
This is about _fucking_ annoying windows malware repeatedly reinstalling chrome extensions.
The fact that they are not breaking the capability on 'enterprise' policy installs suggests the same.
Incidentally, even if you aren't on a domain, this should mean that it isn't exactly rocket surgery to install the 'blocked' Chrome extensions. Winkey+r, gpedit.msc, import the chromium policy templates [chromium.org], modify 'ExtensionInstallForcelist [chromium.org]' to taste. Game over.
Re:Or, of course extensions that google doesn't li (Score:5, Informative)
Came here to say this, it's all about the malware. Tons of malware apps use Chrome plugins.
Re:So, who wants to fork. (Score:2, Informative)
Protecting Windows users from malicious extensions
Thursday, November 07, 2013
Extensions are a great way to enhance the browsing experience; whether users want to quickly post to social networks or to stay up to date with their favorite sports teams. Many services bundle useful companion extensions, which causes Chrome to ask whether you want to install them (or not). However, bad actors have abused this mechanism, bypassing the prompt to silently install malicious extensions that override browser settings and alter the user experience in undesired ways, such as replacing the New Tab Page without approval. In fact, this is a leading cause of complaints from our Windows users.
from the chromium blog
Re:Or, of course extensions that google doesn't li (Score:5, Informative)
Re:Or, of course extensions that google doesn't li (Score:5, Informative)
AdBlock Plus for Chrome, from the official Google site: https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/adblock-plus/cfhdojbkjhnklbpkdaibdccddilifddb?utm_source=chrome-ntp-icon [google.com]
There are many other ad blockers available on there too. If you are going to lie you should at least think of something that isn't so trivially easy to disprove.
Re:Welcome to the Google Walled Garden of evil (Score:5, Informative)
The walls seem to be taller than apples.
Oh come on. They disabled a developer feature in the mainstream build but left it in the dev version. "Controversial" extensions like AdBlock are available on their official website. How is that worse than Apple?
If press the spacebar, it erases the hard drive and re-installs chrome from scratch.
Liar. There are further confirmation prompts, it doesn't just format your HDD the instant you press it. In fact you can completely remove the ChromeOS restore image if you want to, making restore only possible by downloading an image. All Google did was enable a security feature by default, a feature that most people will want and which is easily bypassed.
FWIW Linus himself runs Linux on a Chromebook and uses it as his main development machine. Can't beat that high resolution 3:4 screen.
They also make it easy to install an alternate OS on their phones and tablets, including Linux. Apple do everything in their power to prevent that.