Google Chrome 94: HTTPS First Mode for desktop and Android is enabled by default

The stable version of Google Chrome has been updated to version 94 a few days ago. The latest version v94.0.4606.54 is also the first official version in the Chrome 94 series.

Now Google Chrome releases updates every month, so there are not too many changes in new features, mainly because the features in the beta version are gradually merged.

If you are using Google Chrome, you can go to the About page to download the automatic upgrade. If you are using the offline version and cannot upgrade, you need to download the offline package on the official website.

The most important thing in this update should be the HTTPS First Mode. The so-called HTTPS First Mode means that the browser uses the HTTPS protocol to request all resources by default.

If it fails to connect normally through the encryption request, Google Chrome will re-request the plaintext protocol. In fact, there is an encryption protocol detection process in the middle.

The purpose is actually very simple: the default plaintext protocol may be hijacked by the MITM attack, and if the encryption protocol is used by default, the probability of hijacking is reduced.

However, not all resources of all websites support encryption protocols, so the detection of Google Chrome will select the appropriate protocol while reducing the delay as much as possible.

Material You is a new theme provided by Google in Android 12. This theme style can automatically select and adapt colors according to the user’s wallpaper settings.

Chrome for Android has added such elements since version 93. In this version, the Material You element supports more such as the search result interface.

In addition, the desktop version also adds a separate sharing button this time. When this function is enabled, a button will appear on the right side of the address bar to help users quickly share the current page. To enable this feature, please go to chrome://flags/#sharing-hub-desktop-app-menu and restart the browser to see the new button.