New Chrome Beta Pre-Loads Web Pages
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Google’s Chrome browser has had a feature for the last few months that pre-loads web pages when you are searching on Google. Now that feature has been expanded in the new Chrome beta to include pages typed into the omnibox. Sites that Chrome auto-completes will load in the background before you press enter. The result is what appears to be blisteringly-fast page loads.
Pages are not actually loading faster, of course. It’s just a subtle psychological trick that hides most of the loading from the user until they are expecting to see the browser spring into action. Google and users have the same interests in the ever increasing speed of Chrome. Google wants us to see more pages, and thus more ads. Users just don’t want to wait around for pages to load. It’s a go, go world these days.
The new Chrome beta also added a new security measure that will scan downloaded EXE and MSI files to determine if they are known threats. Users will be alerted if things seem fishy. Faster and more secure; can’t argue with that. The new beta should be installed automatically for those on the beta channel.
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aca20031
January 07, 2012 at 10:11am
I don't think preloading malicious pages is a problem...if chrome downloads and caches the pages, and does nothing else with them, nothing bad can come of them. Even if it preloads the most malicious executable file in history, its just bytes in a buffer somewhere until something is done with it. So long as chromes own preloading method isn't exploitable somehow (Which I doubt, and if so will be patched), nothing else can get through. Computers just don't work that way.
jihnn
January 06, 2012 at 11:42am
i quit using chrome over this feature....good luck trying to shut it off, it can be done but it is buried in the options.
using IE now not really happy but staying away from chrome
compmix
January 06, 2012 at 12:01am
The only way I see this to be a viable option for most users is if the pre-loading only loads basic html text and frames, and leave the multimedia and scripts for the full load.
thetechchild
January 05, 2012 at 11:22pm
Well, Google hosts the most powerful search algorithms (or at least the most successful) in the world. Considering they have a large database of malicious sites, the capacity to design 'scanners' to look for malicious code, and the possibility of partnering with a service like Web of Trust, I doubt that automatically loading malicious sites will cause more issues than idiots loading them manually.
As for the MSI/EXE scanner, I'd rather not. A VirusTotal-based extension that checks the file's hash (if it's under 20 MB) would probably have a better detection rate, and apply to most of the files out there (who typically downloads >20 MB executables on a daily basis?).
praetor_alpha
January 05, 2012 at 7:27pm
Damn, its finally happened. Chrome is so fast, it's a time machine.
Neufeldt2002
January 05, 2012 at 5:45pm
I seem to recall this happening every couple of years, and every time the same comments come up which are true. Until they can guarantee that the pages are not infected or malicious, I, like Livebriand don't want the pages loading in the background on my PC.
livebriand
January 05, 2012 at 5:25pm
I don't trust the browser to determine whether or not that page is good, so I'd prefer for it to load ONLY when I click on it. Besides, doesn't this mess with the page counters for the website, since someone didn't necessairly click on their site but it was loaded anyway? Firefox is looking more attractive...
someuid
January 05, 2012 at 4:23pm
I think a better solution would be faster pipes, not pre-loaded pages.
Sadly, the holders of the faster pipes don't seem to care.
Marthian
January 05, 2012 at 6:06pm
oh they do care. They care that you buy their dying Cable Service.
Internet you say? HA! that's for pirates and is a dying service. Stick to your overpriced undervalued channels why don't ya? Specific channels? NO!
Strhopper
January 05, 2012 at 4:13pm
Sounds interesting. Alex what is your CAP? web pages really don't contain a lot of data. besides I'm sure there will be an option to turn this off.
Biggest bandwitdh hogs = video streaming and torrents
Web sufing is on the low end
alexw1234
January 05, 2012 at 4:15pm
My caps are 100 gigs down and 10 up. But think about, if I want to search a video on youtube and it loads even the first 5, that could add up very quickly.
Eoraptor
January 05, 2012 at 5:36pm
I have to agree with Alex, this would be the perfect way to torpedo a cap. Even if you're only surfing, and not hitting video, loading 5 or more pages where you intend only to look at one adds up fast. even faster if those pages are, in turn, streaming something, or have other live features such as flash- or HTML5-based games or big ugly video/audio advertisements.
not to mention, I wonder how much of a hit your computer is going to take trying to cache all this stuff in the background. sure if you're on a hexa- or octo-core chip it might not be a problem, but if you're surfing single or even dual core on an older machine or a new but low-end laptop? the effect suddenly becomes like have 5 tabs open instead of one I'd wager.
alexw1234
January 05, 2012 at 3:59pm
Me not like, I have low bandwith caps. Loading 5 pages instead of 1 will add up. Even more so if you tube is in the results.
praetor_alpha
January 05, 2012 at 7:28pm
Posting 3 comments instead of 1 will add up. Hey, at least they got past the spam filter.
alexw1234
January 06, 2012 at 9:53am
Yeah Sorry, I just must have clicked a few extra times, it happens.
alexw1234
January 05, 2012 at 3:59pm
Me not like, I have low bandwith caps. Loading 5 pages instead of 1 will add up. Even more so if you tube is in the results.
alexw1234
January 05, 2012 at 3:59pm
Me not like, I have low bandwith caps. Loading 5 pages instead of 1 will add up. Even more so if you tube is in the results.
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