Millions at Risk: Are Your Chrome Extensions Spying on You? Delete These 35 Now!
Browser extensions can supercharge your productivity, but a dark side lurks. Many seemingly helpful Chrome extensions are secretly spying on your browsing activity, putting millions of users at risk. This article reveals the dangerous truth about these extensions and how to protect yourself.
The Chrome Extension Deception: How Safe Are You Really?
While many browser extensions offer ad-blocking, grammar checks, or deal-finding features, some are intentionally designed for surveillance. A recent investigation exposed 35 Chrome extensions with over 4 million collective installations that request unnecessary permissions and quietly collect your data. A shocking number even carried the official "Featured" badge from Google, implying thorough vetting, which raises serious concerns about the Chrome Web Store's security checks.
Why These Chrome Extensions Are So Dangerous
These malicious extensions request excessive permissions to quietly monitor nearly everything you do online. This includes:
- Tracking your browsing history
- Accessing cookies and login sessions
- Altering website content without your knowledge
- Injecting scripts into web pages
These aren't misconfigured tools; they're designed for surveillance. Configuration data is stored locally, allowing remote servers to update their behavior anytime, like spyware. Obfuscated code hides their true agenda, and some extensions remain inactive until specifically triggered, masking their background activity.
Delete These Spyware Chrome Extensions Immediately
If you have any of the following extensions installed, remove them immediately:
- Choose Your Chrome Tools
- Fire Shield Chrome Safety
- Safe Search for Chrome
- Fire Shield Extension Protection
- Browser Checkup for Chrome by Doctor
- Protecto for Chrome
- Unbiased Search by Protecto
- Securify Your Browser
- Web Privacy Assistant
- Securify Kid Protection
- Bing Search by Securify
- Browse Securely for Chrome
- Better Browse by SecurySearch
- Check My Permissions for Chrome
- Website Safety for Chrome
- MultiSearch for Chrome
- Global search for Chrome
- Map Search for Chrome
- Watch Tower Overview
- Incognito Shield for Chrome
- In Site Search for Chrome
- Privacy Guard for Chrome
- Yahoo Search by Ghost
- Private Search for Chrome
- Total Safety for Chrome
- Data Shield for Chrome
- Browser WatchDog for Chrome
- Incognito Search for Chrome
- Web Results for Chrome
- Cuponomia - Coupon and Cashback
- Securify for Chrome
- Securify Advanced Web Protection
- News Search for Chrome
- SecuryBrowse for Chrome
- Browse Securely for Chrome
How to Remove Malicious Chrome Extensions (Step-by-Step)
- Open Chrome and click the puzzle piece icon in the top-right corner (Extensions).
- Locate the extension you want to remove.
- Click the three-dots icon next to the extension.
- Select "Remove from Chrome".
- Confirm by clicking "Remove".
5 Ways to Stay Safe from Sketchy Browser Extensions
Protect yourself from **malicious Chrome extensions with these proactive steps:
- Keep your browser updated: Enable automatic updates for Chrome (or your preferred browser) to patch security vulnerabilities.
- Install from trusted sources only: Stick to the official Chrome Web Store, which has rules and scans (though imperfect) to catch bad actors. Avoid third-party downloads.
- Have strong antivirus software: A robust antivirus program can warn you before installing malicious browser extensions.
- Be skeptical of unnecessary access requests: A calculator asking for browsing history? Red flag! If the requested permissions don't match the extension's function, don't install it.
- Change your passwords (the safe way): If you saved passwords in your browser, those credentials might be at risk. Use a different, secure device (where the suspect extension was never installed) to change crucial passwords. Consider a dedicated password manager for stronger security.
Google's Responsibility: A Wake-Up Call
The fact that Google’s "Featured" badge adorned some of these malicious extensions highlights a serious oversight. Stronger transparency and stricter review standards are vital. Google needs to take more responsibility for what enters its store. It is crucial for browser makers like Google to ensure extensions meet security requirements.
