How to Install and Use Chromium on Ubuntu: An Expert Guide

As a full-stack developer and Linux professional, I rely on having a fast, secure, adaptable web browser that respects user privacy. For years, I‘ve found Chromium to best fit that description. While most people know of the popular Chrome browser built by Google, Chromium offers a streamlined open-source foundation without all the proprietary add-ons.

In this comprehensive 2600+ word guide, I‘ll cover everything required for installing, configuring and utilizing Chromium to its fullest potential on an Ubuntu system. Whether you‘re a developer looking to expand browser flexibility like me, or a Linux novice seeking a simple but capable alternative, read on to discover the power of Chromium.

Chromium vs Chrome: Key Differences

Before diving into installation and setup, understanding the differences between Chromium and its well-known cousin Chrome merits discussion:

User Interface and Defaults

• Chromium provides a sparse UI without media, commerce or DRM features enforced by Chrome
• Chrome includes more UI clutter such as media galleries, web store icons, built-in payment processing, etc.

Privacy Controls

• Chromium allows toggling most usage statistic reporting; Chrome telemetry is always on
• Chrome connects to Google domains to download proprietary codecs, prediction services, etc.

Security Policies

• Chromium adheres to a simpler permissions model for increased transparency
• Chrome auto-updates in background without allowing user oversight

Extensibility

• Chromium offers full support for all Chrome extensions without restrictions
• Certain advanced Chrome extensions have functionality limitations under Chromium

Customization Capability

• Chromium permits complete UI theming and color customization down to all interface elements
• Chrome allows limited UI theming through third-party extensions only

Updates & Maintenance

• Chromium relies on distribution package managers like APT for more admin control over upgrades
• Chrome leverages proprietary background auto-updating lacking user visibility

Standards Support & Compatibility

• Chromium aims to implement web standards faster with less bureaucracy
• Chrome development requires approval processes introducing lag for emerging standards

While Chrome simplifies aspects of the user experience, Chromium empowers experienced admins, privacy-focused users and developers requiring maximum adaptability. Understanding these key differences now will help guide our installation and configuration approach next.

Step-by-Step Guide to Installing Chromium on Ubuntu

Several straightforward methods exist for installing Chromium on Ubuntu, ranging from simple graphical tools to advanced terminal commands. I‘ll cover the most common and expeditious options here.

Using the Ubuntu Software Manager

The Ubuntu Software Manager delivers the most beginner-friendly Chromium installation process requiring only a few clicks:

1. Launch the Ubuntu Software Manager
2. Enter "Chromium" into the search box
3. Locate the "Chromium Web Browser" entry and click the "Install" button
4. Enter your account password when prompted by the authentication window
5. Allow a few minutes for the installer to download and configure Chromium appropriately
6. Click "Launch" from the confirmation screen once finished to start Chromium directly

Helpful as it is for Linux novices, the Software Manager approach lacks fine-grained control compared to the package manager command line. Advanced users will likely prefer an APT-based installation.

Leveraging APT Package Manager

For experienced Linux administrators seeking more precision, using APT (Advanced Packaging Tool) to install Chromium from the command-line delivers greater flexibility:

1. Launch the Terminal utility by pressing Ctrl+Alt+T (or searching for "Terminal")
2. Refresh local package indexes to ensure you have Chromium metadata:

sudo apt update

3. Install the current stable release of Chromium browser and dependencies:

sudo apt install chromium-browser

4. Launch Chromium through the applications menu or run:

chromium-browser

I recommend the above approach for most Ubuntu power users aiming to utilize Chromium as a daily driver browser. The APT tooling supplies advanced capabilities to customize things further as well.

For example, to install a Beta or Developer channel version of Chromium instead of stable:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:chromium-ubuntu-beta/ppa
sudo apt update
sudo apt install chromium-browser

Simply sub "beta" for "dev" or another target channel as desired. Prior to production deployment, be sure to thoroughly vet developmental builds for potential bugs.

Building Chromium from Source Code

For Linux developers or highly technically adept administrators needing complete control over the Chromium build process, compiling from source remains an option. Navigate to Chromium‘s Get the Code page and follow the in-depth instructions for grabbing the latest bundles and using tools like Depot Tools to generate custom binaries.

I‘d only recommend this method for advanced Chromium contributing developers. Compiling such a massive codebase requires an expert skill level. Stick to the pre-built binaries otherwise.

Installing Chromium-based Browser Alternatives

Beyond the stock Chromium package, Ubuntu users can also install enhanced "downstream" browsers built atop the Chromium open-source code:

Vivaldi Browser – Offers built-in note taking, advanced tab management and a high degree of personalization

Brave Browser – Focused on privacy protection with ad-blocking baked-in and crypto asset support

Microsoft Edge – Microsoft‘s faster, minimalist Chromium-leveraging approach

And more alternative browsers exist beyond those above. Because the core Chromium base gets maintained as open-source, developers can riff on it to target specific niches. I encourage testing different options to find your perfect match.

Now that we‘ve covered the key methods for getting Chromium installed on Ubuntu, let‘s explore critical post-installation configuration.

Configuring Chromium for Enhanced Security

As an open-source platform, Chromium offers excellent visibility into its security workings. While reasonable defaults ship out of the box, administrators and privacy-focused users can take steps to harden things further.

I suggest considering the following areas when optimizing Chromium‘s security stance:

Content process sandboxing – Leverages OS-level isolation to separate rendering engine processes from rest of system. Enforce by default as of Chromium v73.

Site isolation – Prevents malicious web code from impacting other open tabs. Enabled via --enable-site-per-process flag.

Strict site isolation – Further restricts site data access protections. Set via --enable-strict-site-isolation flag.

Out-of-process iframes – Forces iframes to independent process origins for robust separation. Toggle with --enable-oop-iframes flag.

Extension sandboxing – Adds an additional layer of security hardening for extensions. Defaults to enabled after v66.

Stack buffer overflow protection – Helps prevent remote code execution vulnerabilties from memory errors. Activate using --enable-stack-buffer-overflow flag.

Address space layout randomization (ASLR) – Randomizes Chromium process memory maps to complicate attacks. Set with --enable-address-space-randomization flag and requires OS support.

You can configure each of these isolations and hardening techniques by launching Chromium from the command line with appropriate flag combinations. Consider adding a custom browser profile to /etc/chromium-browser.custom.conf for system-wide enforcement as well.

Additionally, some extensions like uBlock Origin can further restrict unwanted content through advanced filtering. We‘ll cover extending Chromium‘s capabilities more next.

Expanding Functionality via Extensions

One major advantage Chromium holds over Chrome relates to its extension ecosystem support. Because Chromium builds adhere closer to emerging web standards, Chrome extensions can actually run more reliably at times.

To leverage Chromium‘s extensibility for enhanced security, productivity and privacy:

1. Install your desired Chrome extension from the Chrome Web Store
2. Enter chrome://extensions in the address bar
3. Ensure "Developer mode" slider gets activated
4. Click the "Details" link for each extension
5. Check the boxes for "Allow in incognito" and "Allow access to file URLs"
6. Relaunch Chromium

This allows full extension functionality while in Chromium‘s incognito and guest mode contexts. Feel free to install as many utilities as desired – I recommend:

• LastPass – Robust encrypted password manager for web credential protection
• 1Password – Similar alternative password manager with deep platform support
• Privacy Badger – Prevents invisible trackers from profiling your browsing habits
• HTTPS Everywhere – Automatically uses HTTPS encryption on supporting sites for better transport security
• Nano Adblocker – Leaner, less resource-intensive ad-blocking extension without analytics
• Bitwarden – Open-source password vault solution aligned with Chromium‘s spirit

Do some research across the Chrome Web Store to find your perfect stack catered to usage patterns and risk profile. Extensions remain one of Chromium‘s killer advantages.

Advanced Configuration Through Flags

Beyond adding utilities via extensions to augment functionality, Chromium supports dozens of experimental flags for enabling hidden or pre-release options. Access these by visiting chrome://flags in the address bar.

Use caution when altering flags as stability issues can occur in some cases. I recommend these particular flags for enhanced security:

• TLS13 Hardening For Local Anchors – Strengthens HTTPS protections for non-public certificate authorities
• Omnibox CSP Bypass Warning – Warns of potential content security policies getting bypassed when customizing the address bar
• Use Simplified NTP – Removes unnecessary new tab page content to reduce possible attack surface area

Additionally, flags exist for forcing different rendering modes, GPU/Canvas configurations, privileged code options and much more. This presents yet another way Chromium outperforms Chrome in admin-facing adaptability.

Migrating Data from Other Browsers

If migrating from a different browser, conveniently importing existing settings, bookmarks, history and other data makes for one less roadblock to Chromium adoption.

For new Chromium users coming from Chrome, the process proves seamless with Google account syncing:

1. Ensure Chrome browser connects to a Google account for synchronization
2. Install Chromium browser alongside Chrome
3. From Chromium, click the user avatar in the top-right corner
4. Select "Turn on sync" from the menu
5. Follow the prompts to import all Chrome data automatically

This leverages Google‘s cloud sync to transfer local browsing information instantly. For those migrating from other mainstream browsers, Chromium also supports direct import wizards:

From Firefox

1. Launch Chromium and click the 3-dot settings menu
2. Choose "Bookmarks" and then "Import bookmarks and settings"
3. Select "Firefox" in the browser drop-down
4. Click "Import" and confirm file permissions

From Safari

1. In Chromium, click the settings and "Bookmarks > Import bookmarks file"
2. Locate the Safari Bookmarks.plist file on your hard drive
3. Confirm file selection to finish migrating data

I recommend backing up your existing browsing data externally before attempting any import procedures. Follow your browser vendor‘s guidance for finding bookmark, history and settings files locally.

10 Must-Know Chromium Tips and Tricks

Beyond just configuring and customizing Chromium during initial setup, truly harnessing its capabilities requires awareness of some key tips and power user tricks.

I utilize techniques like these daily in my work optimizing Chromium deployments. Memorize these to transform into a browsing expert:

1. Type URLs Intelligently

When entering destinations in the address bar, leverage tab completion by typing the first few characters and pressing tab to auto-complete common sites.

2. Use Special Pages for Settings Changes

Enter chrome:// directly followed by settings keywords like flags, policy or extensions to access hidden interfaces quicker.

3. Customize the Color Scheme

Click the Chromium menu > Settings > Appearance to select custom interface color combinations to your tastes beyond just themes.

4. Profile Switching with User Accounts

Click your avatar in the top-right corner and manage people for maintaining separate history, bookmarks and settings across accounts.

5. Translator Functionality

Right-click text in foreign languages and use the context menu to instantly translate entire pages to English or other tongues.

6. Employ Time-Saving Keyboard Shortcuts

Master keyboard shortcuts like Ctrl + Shift + N to open a new incognito window for streamlined browsing efficiency.

7. Cloud Print Compatibility

Leverage Chrome‘s cloud printing infrastructure via the official Chrome Connector extension to print remotely from Chromium.

8. Tab Management Tricks

Right click tabs for features like bookmarking all open tabs or closing duplicate pages to wrangle high tab numbers.

9. Omnibox Wikipeida Integration

Enter keywords prefixed with wiki, like wiki chartreux cat to directly search Wikipedia article titles from the address bar.

10. Catalog Media Downloads

Quickly access downloaded files by entering chrome://downloads in the address bar via the handy media manager.

Study these tips diligently alongside the configuration guidance outlined earlier to transform Chromium into an uber-efficient browsing weapon.

Comparing Google Chrome to Other Major Browsers

While this guide focuses specifically on Chromium itself, evaluating how it stacks up to other popular mainstream browsing options provides worthwhile context.

I utilize Chromium daily as my default browser due to its configurability and extension ecosystem. But certain specific use cases may make Firefox, Edge or others more suitable depending on your needs:

Google Chrome – Chromium‘s closed-source cousin offers tighter integration with Google services at cost of admin control

Mozilla Firefox – Firefox prioritizes user agency and hands-on customizability like Chromium

Microsoft Edge – Shares Chromium‘s engine with business-facing enhancements

Apple Safari – Seamlessly integrates with Apple‘s ecosystem, leveraging macOS security capabilities

No universally "best" browser exists given the diversity of user requirements. Fortunately with proficiency installing and managing Chromium now, you can comfortably evaluate Chromium browser alternatives on Ubuntu with flexibility.

Surveying the Landscape of Chromium-Based Browsers

Thanks to Chromium‘s open-source accessibility, developers continue building custom browsers leveraging the same foundation with unique feature sets:

Vivaldi Browser – Emphasizes power user enhancements like advanced tab management and built-in note taking

Brave Browser – Prioritizes speed, security and privacy protection with ad/tracker blocking

Opera Browser – Mixes an ethical ad model with social messengers and other next-gen integrations

Microsoft Edge – Microsoft‘s approach augmenting Chromium with enterprise management capabilities

And active development continues on emerging niche browsers like Tor Browser for anonymity purposes and Citrio focusing on screenshot capture. Don‘t hesitate exploring alternatives matching specific objectives.

Wrapping Up: Say Hello to Your New Default Browser

Hopefully this extensively researched guide expanded awareness around installing, configuring and ultimately leveraging Chromium to its fullest potential on Ubuntu Linux. Beyond just acceptance as a capable alternative, mastering the techniques shared here showcase why Chromium often proves the outright superior browser.

From a developer‘s lens obsessed with customization and extensibility down to the Linux administrator perspective focused on security and user control, Chromium checks all the boxes. Performance and compatibility round out the picture for a world-class, open-source browsing experience.

So whether migrating from Chrome or departing Internet Explorer outright, few routes exist now preventing you from coronating Chromium as your go-to Ubuntu browser. Its balance of simplicity and depth should empower novices and experts alike.

I sincerely appreciate you allowing me to share my decades of combined Chromium expertise within this 2600+ word tome. Please don‘t hesitate reaching out with any lingering questions or considerations around installation, hardening, data migration or general usage.

Now enough talk – those tabs aren‘t going to browse themselves. Fire up Chromium and get to it!