The Dark Side of Chrome Extensions: Hidden Dangers Lurking on Your PC
As recent news reminds us, malicious browser add-ons can start life as legit extensions. Reviewing what you’ve got installed is a smart move. Earlier this month, an alarm sounded—security researchers at GitLab Threat Intelligence discovered a handful of Chrome extensions adding code in order to commit fraud, with at least 3.2 million users affected. But the add-ons didn’t start as malicious. Instead, they launched as legitimate software, only to be later compromised or sold to bad actors.
- The fact that these extensions were able to deceive millions of users for so long highlights the importance of staying vigilant when installing browser add-ons and regularly reviewing their permissions.
- As more people rely on online services, the risk of malicious extensions spreading through user adoption becomes increasingly critical, making it essential for Google to continually improve its Chrome extension review process.