Billions of Chrome users worldwide have been told to act fast after Google issued an “emergency alert” over a newly discovered security flaw that could leave devices wide open to cyberattacks.
The “high-severity” bug, detected on August 4, allows hackers to overwrite critical memory, potentially crashing Chrome and opening the door to data theft on computers, tablets, and smartphones. The flaw was uncovered by Big Sleep, Google’s new AI-powered bug detection system developed with DeepMind and Project Zero, its elite security team. After weeks of testing, Google began rolling out a fix on Tuesday, August 19.
Users are strongly urged to check their Chrome browser version immediately by typing chrome://settings/help into the address bar. Chrome will automatically update and install the patch if available. Failing to act could leave devices vulnerable to hackers exploiting the weakness.
Big Sleep has already uncovered 20 additional flaws in open-source projects, which Google has publicly reported as part of its commitment to transparency. Heather Adkins, Google’s VP of Security, hailed the discovery as proof that AI, paired with human oversight, can transform how vulnerabilities are caught and addressed.
But while AI tools like Big Sleep are raising the bar for digital defense, criminals are also evolving. A new Proofpoint report warns that hackers now favor malicious links hidden in emails, PDFs, or Word documents over traditional infected attachments. These traps are designed to steal passwords or silently install malware—and more than 3 billion such attacks have been launched this year alone.
Bottom line: Update Chrome today. With hackers exploiting flaws faster than ever, keeping your browser current is one of the simplest yet most effective defenses.
