Skip to main content

Google Chrome Remove Extensions Believed to Be Loaded With Spyware

 Google Chrome is undoubtedly the most popular browser used by not millions but billions of individuals around the world. It is a very fast browser packed with interesting features. One can judge its popularity by the fact that users download and install it in their devices where Chrome is not provided as a default browser. Users freely added browser extensions to their Chrome having blind faith on its security features. These millions of individuals have received a rude jolt by a recent news report about a spyware ring associated with Google Chrome. Google Chrome support has reacted to the development and taken down many such extensions.


 ‘Awake Security’ researchers have busted a ring of hackers that created extensions for Google Chrome loaded with spyware. This organized crime was going on for a very long time with the ringmasters easily distributing spyware through distribution of seemingly innocuous browser extensions. No one knows for sure how much damage has been caused because of such spyware but the fact remains that the victims downloaded these Chrome extensions for more than 32 million times. After these researchers raise the red flag about these spyware loaded extensions last month, the search engine giant came into action. Google Chrome tech support has responded by taking down nearly 70 extensions from its Chrome web store. 

Researchers who found out about the malicious activities of these extensions said that nearly all such extensions were distributed free of cost by the hackers. They were apparently useful extensions for the users that pretended to be very safe by raising alarm whenever the user tried to visit a harmful website. However, once the extensions were downloaded and installed, they indulged in nefarious activities without the knowledge and permission of the users. These programs contained spyware to keep a close watch on the browsing history of the user. They also looked for private and sensitive details of the users stored inside the computer. What is surprising is the fact that these extensions were connected to a network of nearly 15000 websites and they could transmit sensitive details about the user. These malicious domains were purchased from Galcomm, a communication company backed by Israel. The company has denied any role in this spyware campaign. 

It is going to be an uphill task for Google Chrome to track down the identities of developers who made these extensions. This is because these extensions were submitted to Chrome Web store with fake identities. In any case, Google Chrome is no interested in unearthing the kingpin behind this spyware racket as its own reputation as a highly secure browser comes under fire. It is really embarrassing for Google Chrome because the company had claimed to have ramped up security way back in 2018.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Quick Tips on Data Backup & Backup Recovery

 Data backup and recovery is of massive importance for any business irrespective of its size and nature. This is why any business owner should not dare to take this process lightly. Any lapse on the part of the company and it can lead to massive losses both in terms of business and lost clients. Whether you are doing it with the help of a service provider or your own IT department, you must ensure that your data is being backed up and its recovery is possible quickly in real time. Many business owners do not know a thing about data backup and recovery and they even do not know where to turn to when they needdata backup & backup recovery help. Backups done on a daily basis Data loss can prove to be a disaster for a company. All operations come to a standstill and there can be a deluge of complaints and cancellation of orders. There are different ways in which a business can avoid likelihood of data loss. Daily data backup is one of the best lines of defence is to go for. If da...

Quickbooks Online: Complete Financial Solution for Small Businesses

 Quickbooks Online is a product from Intuit that has helped thousands of proprietors and small business owners greatly in financial management. They can access this program anytime and anywhere from a digital device as it is web based. Realizing its growing demand among users, Intuit has made Quickbooks Online more powerful with addition and improvement in features and functionalities.  Quickbooks support  has turned this program into a complete package useful even for growing businesses.  One reason why growing businesses are getting attracted to Quickbooks Online is because it is scalable. It can be customized to suit the requirements as a company increases its customer base and area of operations. There are as many as 5 versions of this program that a customer can choose from according to his present and future requirements. For a growing business, there is an advanced Quickbooks Online that can be used by up to 25 employees at the same time. Also, there is an int...

5g Enabled Iphone 12 Will Boost Apple Fortunes

Everyone is excited about 5G and even Apple knows it cannot afford to lag behind other manufacturers when it comes to 5G enabled devices. Dan Ives, an analyst at Wedbush, feels that 5G enabled iPhone 12 can give a big boost to the sales of iPhones around the world. Talking to CNBC on Monday, Dan said he expected Apple stock to jump 25% from its present levels and reach a mark of $350. Apple stock has risen by almost 79% in 2019. Dan believes  iPhone support  to 5G in 2020 is what the company needs for a super cycle. According to Dan, the best way for Apple to realize this ambitious target is to release at least four 5G enabled iPhones this year. The company also needs to make its network strong all over the country. Lower latency and faster data speeds are the prerequisites for the success of 5G enabled iPhones, feels Dan Ives. 5G iPhones have the potential to revive the fortunes of the company that is grappling with the scenario of plummeting sales. One big reason behind fall...