While useful, browser extensions can also hide threats. According to an analysis carried out by researchers at McAfee there is a new set of malicious extensions that monitor what users are doing on the Internet, with attackers stealing browsing data to enrich themselves at the expense of victims.
The specialists explain that the extensions for the Google Chrome, which have already been downloaded by more than 1,3 million users, look “legitimate” to the naked eye. Two of the extensions claim to be solutions that allow you to watch Netflix series with friends, another promises to help you take screenshots and another to keep track of prices online.
In today's MenosFios office we show you 4 Chrome extensions, if you have them installed in your Google browser.
- Netflix Party
- Netflix Party 2
- Full Page Screenshot Capture – Screenshotting
- AutoBuy Flash Sales
Despite providing the promised features, extensions record all websites visited by victims and send the information to servers operated by the creators.
According to McAfee investigators the aim is to insert malicious code into the visited e-Commerce websites in order to change the cookies and make the creators of the extensions receive commissions for each item purchased.
Recently, a Kaspersky review revealed that, in the first half of this year alone, 1,3 million users were affected by threats in browser extensions. Adware poses as the most prominent threat.
Official digital stores, such as Google's Chrome Web Store, are not "saved", even so, the main way of distributing malicious extensions is through resources from third-party platforms that are not very viable.
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