My computer just restarted a few minutes ago to install updates.
I have windows 8 and several different browsers installed because I build web pages and have to test them out across all the popular browsers.
I haven't built any pages since installing all the browsers on this new laptop though and so I haven't actually use any browsers other than firefox.
So after the reboot, I click on firefox so that I can continue reading threads here and not only does Firefox open, but Chrome takes it upon itself to open as well. Not only did it open, it opened logged into my teenage daughters Chrome account, which is linked to her gmail and various other sites. It had all of my daughter's browser history as well as any and all of her saved passwords for accounts she uses.
Lucky for her, I am not the type of parent who snoops on her teen and I called her in immediately so she could see what I was magically given access to. The only explanation I can come to is that because we use the same network apparently the chrome information was directed at any computer on the network that had chrome installed. Rather than being specific to her particular computer id or ip.
She is writing Chrome a scathing letter and so am I.
But be warned that Google Chrome is a huge security risk. If you use it on a shared network, don't expect that your use of chrome or your private email is actually private. If someone else on the network opens chrome there is a chance they will be automatically signed into your account.
In case you are wondering, no, my daughter has NEVER used my laptop to surf the net. She has always had her own. And she has always been the only one to use Chrome. I have never trusted it. I don't trust google either. When a company becomes as invasive and all encompassing of someone's life like they have, they have the ability to do just about any thing. And corporations have a tendency to do as much as they can get away with.