Many users have heard of the term Chromium. What it is, the majority imagines somewhat incorrectly, believing that this name means exclusively a web browser designed to work on the Internet. In fact, a lot of software products are associated with this concept, which we will consider in more detail below.
Chromium: what is it?
So, let's start by describing everything that can be hidden behind this term. Suppose you are not particularly strong in understanding computer technology and for the first time you hear about some kind of software product, generally called Chromium. What it is? Most mistakenly believe that this is a browser, since the name itself is very consonant with the name of the popular Chrome browser. What is most interesting, it is also the development of the IT giant Google. But in fact, Chromium Browser is far from the only software product that has such a name. Today, the term Chromium is commonly understood as such types of software:
- engine that powers most of today's well-known and popular browsers;
- open source browser;
- operating system of the same name;
- a type of virus.
Engine Features
The first in the list is the engine, that is, the software part on the basis of which the shell of browsers is formed. In a sense, it can be compared to an API toolkit (web programming platforms). However, the engine itself was not taken from the ceiling. The development was based on the once famous software product called WebKit, which the creators of Chromium once began to actively support. Also, the declared support was provided for Mozilla.
In other words, by combining the two technologies into one and starting to release the first versions of Chromium, the developers tried to create a single unified platform for use in other software products, focusing primarily on speed, security and comfortable browsing on the Internet. Not surprisingly, it was she who formed the basis of the popular Chrome browser, which is considered the older brother of the Chromium browser in terms of advanced features created on its basis. By the way, recently Microsoft also announced the transfer of the Edge browser to the Chromium engine.
Differences between Chromium and Chrome
Chromium and Chrome, if we are talking exclusively about browsers, many users confuse quite often. Howeverthere are a lot of differences between them.
Firstly, Chromium is an Open Source project, while Chrome is a closed commercial development, even though it's free. Secondly, Chromium is presented as, so to speak, a pure browser in which there is nothing superfluous, and Chrome is already initially equipped with additional features and plugins such as support for Flash technology, MP3 and AAC audio formats (Chromium can only work with Vorbis, Theora and WEBM). Thirdly, the older brother has a built-in Chrome Update module that allows you to quickly and timely update the browser, while Chromium has to be updated manually, deleting previous versions. Finally, fourthly, Chromium does not have built-in tools for tracking and sending user information to the developer's servers, which were embedded in the Chrome shell and caused considerable dissatisfaction among users around the world.
Chromium fakes
Now a few more words about how and where the Chromium engine is used. What kind of software product this is, I think, is clear, but it was it that browser creators began to use, passing off as their own developments.
The most famous fakes of the described browser are similar developments like SRWare Iron, Comodo Dragon, CoolNovo (another name for ChromePlus, which generally looks like complete plagiarism) with the addition of mouse gesture control and many others. Alas, not without ourcompatriots.
Take at least the same Yandex Browser or Nichrome from Rambler. Pure Chromium clones (by the way, their creators themselves do not hide this).
Chrome OS operating system (Chromium OS)
Now let's look at the Chromium OS of the same name. What kind of system, based on the fact that its creator is the same corporation Google, is not difficult to guess. It is generally called Chromes OS, but sometimes another name is applied to it.
The system supports almost all devices equipped with x86 and ARM processors. In other words, installing Chromium can be easily done on any Windows-based desktop or PC laptop. In terms of mobile devices (smartphones and tablets), this OS can become a full-fledged replacement for Android, Windows Phone, Windows Mobile, or even pure Windows 8 RT.
It may not have as many features as Windows, but the performance is decent, not to mention the fact that almost all Android and Windows applications run in it without problems, which allows you to use them on one device. By itself, this operating system is UNIX-like and based on the Linux kernel.
What if it's a virus?
Finally, negative comments about the Chromium browser can now be found on the Internet. Some users classify it as a virus. Why? Yes, only because most often this browser is installed on the computer spontaneously (usually under the guise of partner software). But here the users themselves are to blame, since it is necessary to pay attention to such offers during the installation of other software products. In addition, as practice shows, it is not so easy to remove the browser using standard Windows tools, since for a complete uninstallation it is necessary to manually clean the registry and remove residual files.
As for pure fake viruses that look exactly like the original browser, you can count quite a lot of them. The most famous among them are eFast Browser, Chroomium Browser, Tortuga Browser, Olcinium Browser, Qword Browser, Chedot Browser, BrowserAir Browser, Fusion Browser, BeagleBrowser, MyBrowser, Super Browser and some others. Without the use of special protective equipment and performing many additional actions, getting rid of them is often very problematic.
