All internet users need a browser to access a vast variety of websites available on the World Wide Web. As a result, browsers collect a wide range of sensitive data — from online account passwords to credit card details and more.
This is one of the key reasons why web browser security is so crucial. However, out of all software products, web browsers are the most affected by security vulnerabilities.
According to the data presented by the Atlas VPN team, the world’s most popular browser Google Chrome is the most vulnerability-ridden, with 303 vulnerabilities discovered year to date. Google Chrome is also an all-time leader with a total of 3,159 cumulative vulnerabilities.
Next up is Mozilla Firefox, with 117 vulnerabilities, followed by Microsoft Edge, with 103 vulnerabilities discovered YTD — 61% more than in the entire year of 2021. That is an unusually high number for a browser with only 806 total vulnerabilities since its release.
In the meantime, Apple’s Safari browser has had some of the lowest vulnerability numbers in years. Safari, which has recently reached over 1 billion users making it the second most popular browser in the world, had 26 documented vulnerabilities in the first three quarters of 2022. In the meantime, its cumulative vulnerability number stands at 1,139.
Another major browser, Opera, has no documented vulnerabilities this year and only 344 total cumulative vulnerabilities.
While quite different in features, Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, and Opera are all built on the Chromium engine. It means that Chromium vulnerabilities may impact all of these browsers.
Cybersecurity writer at Atlas VPN Ruta Cizinauskaite shares tips for mitigating web browser cybersecurity risks:
“Hackers have various techniques to exploit browser vulnerabilities. Fortunately, users can take steps to mitigate the risks of their browsers getting compromised. It is important to keep your browsers up to date, to be mindful of the browser plugins you install, as well as to educate yourself about phishing attacks, as it is one of the ways cybercriminals distribute exploiting kits aimed at unpatched vulnerabilities in your browser.”
To read the full article, head over to:
https://atlasvpn.com/blog/google-chrome-is-the-most-vulnerability-ridden-browser-in-2022
