Not so long ago, a few dozen malicious plugins were discovered in the Chrome Web Store (the official browser extension store for Google Chrome). The most popular of these extensions had over nine million downloads, and altogether these plugins had been downloaded around 87 million times. We explain what these extensions are and why they’re dangerous. Malicious extensions in the … [Read more...] about Dozens of malicious extensions for Google Chrome
Extensions
Microsoft Tightens OneNote Security by Auto-Blocking 120 Risky File Extensions
Microsoft has announced plans to automatically block embedded files with "dangerous extensions" in OneNote following reports that the note-taking service is being increasingly abused for malware delivery. Up until now, users were shown a dialog warning them that opening such attachments could harm their computer and data, but it was possible to dismiss the prompt and open the … [Read more...] about Microsoft Tightens OneNote Security by Auto-Blocking 120 Risky File Extensions
What are the dangers of browser extensions?
Each of us has probably installed some kind of browser extension at least once: an ad blocker, an online translator, a spellchecker or something else. However, few of us stop to think: is it safe? Unfortunately, these seemingly innocuous mini-apps can be far more dangerous than they seem at first glance. Let’s see what might go wrong. For this, we shall use data from our … [Read more...] about What are the dangers of browser extensions?
Experts Find Malicious Cookie Stuffing Chrome Extensions Used by 1.4 Million Users
Five imposter extensions for the Google Chrome web browser masquerading as Netflix viewers and others have been found to track users' browsing activity and profit of retail affiliate programs. "The extensions offer various functions such as enabling users to watch Netflix shows together, website coupons, and taking screenshots of a website," McAfee researchers Oliver Devane and … [Read more...] about Experts Find Malicious Cookie Stuffing Chrome Extensions Used by 1.4 Million Users
Chrome extensions secretly playing videos
Yesterday morning, our solutions started giving many Google Chrome users repeated threat warnings. Trojan.Multi.Preqw.gen, which Chrome tried to download from a third-party site, was specified as the source of the threat. We explain what it’s all about and how to solve the problem. Malicious extensions Our experts in collaboration with their colleagues at Yandex discovered that … [Read more...] about Chrome extensions secretly playing videos
New Bundlore adware targets macOS with updated Safari extensions
Browser add-ons are a common source of privacy and security concerns. While they are usually legitimate software products with real companies behind them, these plug-ins can also be used by unscrupulous software developers as a way to turn downloads of free software into a revenue stream–dropping browser add-ons that gather information from the user, inject … [Read more...] about New Bundlore adware targets macOS with updated Safari extensions
Two Widely Used Ad Blocker Extensions for Chrome Caught in Ad Fraud Scheme
Two widely used Adblocker Google Chrome extensions, posing as the original — AdBlock and uBlock Origin — extensions on Chrome Web Store, have been caught stuffing cookies in the web browser of millions of users to generate affiliate income from referral schemes fraudulently.There's no doubt web extensions add a lot of useful features to web browsers, making your online … [Read more...] about Two Widely Used Ad Blocker Extensions for Chrome Caught in Ad Fraud Scheme
iOS 8 SDK With Over 4,000 New APIs
Apple has released the iOS 8 SDK with over 4,000 new APIs for developers, bringing the biggest release since the origination of the App Store. Apple today released its iOS 8 SDK, the biggest developer release ever with more than 4,000 new APIs, giving developers the ability to create amazing new apps like never before. iOS 8 allows developers to further customize the user … [Read more...] about iOS 8 SDK With Over 4,000 New APIs