Chrome Extensions That Could Secretly Steal Your Data

The Hidden Threat: Malicious Extensions on the Chrome Web Store: Even the official Chrome Web Store isn’t immune; hackers have published over 100 malicious extensions posing as VPNs, AI tools, or productivity utilities. These extensions function normally on the surface but also connect to attacker-controlled servers to steal data, run arbitrary code, or hijack web sessions. 

Credential Theft Via Compromised Legitimate Extensions: Some extensions begin life as legit, helpful tools, only to be hijacked later. Researchers uncovered a campaign where 18 previously benign extensions, such as color pickers, emoji keyboards, and video controllers, were updated to include malicious code that steals cookies and credentials. 

Cookie & Session Hijacking: Chrome extensions with broad permissions can access cookies to hijack sessions. Attackers exploited this in high-profile extensions, potentially giving them access to anything you were logged into, from email to social media.

Massive Data Upload via Hidden Ad-Fraud Schemes: Security researchers found that 500+ extensions, downloaded millions of times, were secretly uploading users’ browsing data to remote servers. These extensions obfuscated their true purpose, appearing to block ads or improve browsing, while actually running ad-fraud and data exfiltration in the background.

Crypto-Targeted Extensions & Info Stealers: Some extensions are explicitly designed for crypto users. For example, a malicious extension called SpiderX was found to capture plaintext login credentials, take screenshots, and track browsing history, all while masquerading as a harmless utility. 

Abuse of Extension Permissions in Manifest V3: Google introduced Manifest V3 to make extensions safer, but it’s not foolproof. Attackers can still build harmful extensions that exploit permissions to intercept web requests, read cookies, or redirect you to phishing sites, even under the new framework. 

Real-World Impacts & What You Can Do:When extensions turn malicious, the consequences are serious: stolen sessions, compromised accounts, leaked personal data, or even financial theft. 

To protect yourself:

• Audit your installed extensions regularly.

• Limit permissions only to what’s strictly necessary.

• Uninstall extensions you no longer trust or use.

Use browser profiles: isolate high-risk tasks (like banking) in a clean profile without many extensions. Keep your browser updated and consider tools that monitor extension behavior.

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