Google syncs browser settings across PCs

Google Browser Sync is a free plug-in for Firefox

Google has released a tool to keep browser settings in sync across multiple computers. 

Google Browser Sync is a free plug-in for the Firefox browser that continuously synchronises bookmarks, history, persistent cookies, tabs and saved passwords across different PCs.

Settings are stored on Google's servers and are encrypted with a Pin to prevent unauthorised access.

As Firefox needs to contact the server on startup, Google warns that this will increase the time it takes to load. The search firm claims to be working on a solution to this problem.

Announcing the plug-in on the official Google blog, Brian Rakowski wrote: "What could be worse than forgetting to bookmark the obscure page you found that maps out the perfect walking tour of Venice?

"Having it bookmarked on the computer sitting on your desk back at home, 6000 miles away, instead of on the laptop you brought along. 

"These sorts of frustrations inspired us to build a Firefox extension that keeps your browser settings for all your computers in sync."

The add-on works with Firefox version 1.5 and later.