Google Chrome Users Urged to Delete 16 Popular Extensions Over ‘Malicious’ Threat Risk
Google Chrome users have been warned about 16 “malicious” browser extensions that pose a serious security risk. Cybercriminals could exploit these extensions to steal user data and commit fraud, according to a report from GitLab Threat Intelligence.
The affected extensions impact various functionalities, including screen capture, ad blocking, and emoji keyboards. These extensions have already been downloaded by at least 3.2 million users, raising concerns about widespread exposure to cyber threats.
Reports suggest that malicious code was injected into these extensions, allowing hackers to engage in search-engine fraud and collect sensitive user data. While these extensions initially appeared legitimate, they were later corrupted by malicious updates after users granted permissions.
According to Notebook Check, the attack originated from compromised developer accounts. Hackers managed to take control of these extensions, pushing dangerous updates that were distributed through official browser extension stores.
Cybersecurity experts strongly advise users to review and uninstall any suspicious Chrome extensions immediately to prevent potential data breaches.
