500 Chrome extensions secretly downloaded millions of users' private data: learn how to protect your information

500 Chrome extensions secretly downloaded private data of millions of users

Chrome remains one of the most popular browsers today, and many users choose it for its user-friendly interface and extensive library of extensions. However, recent revelations have raised the alarm: over 500 extensions for Chrome have secretly downloaded the private data of millions of users. It is important to pay attention to this issue and take steps to protect your personal information.

These extensions are part of entities hiding under the guise of useful tools, but in reality, they collect and share users’ sensitive data with third parties. Access to personal information such as browsing history, passwords and cookies can have serious consequences, including financial losses or identity leaks.

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However, not all extensions for Chrome are a security risk. There are several steps you can take to protect your information. First, you should be careful when choosing and installing add-ons, especially if they are unknown or suspicious applications. Second, you should regularly check and update the installed extensions, as developers can fix vulnerabilities and improve the security of the application.

It is important to remember that security in the online world is a shared responsibility. Installing antivirus software and using passwords, especially unique ones for each account, will help protect your personal information from intruders. And don’t forget to carefully read app permissions and privacy policies before installing them.

Hundreds of extensions for chrome: how to protect your information?

Extensions for browsers, including Chrome, can make using the internet much easier and better. They can add additional features, change the appearance of pages, block ads, and more. However, the recent incident of 500 Chrome extensions reminds us to be careful and protect our personal information.

Millions of users were victimized by this incident where their private data was downloaded without their consent. To prevent such incidents and protect your information, it is recommended that you follow a few important precautions.

Check permissions before installing extensions: When you install extensions, they ask for various permissions. Be careful and evaluate whether the extension needs to access your personal information, contacts or browser history. If the requests seem too suspicious or overly broad, it is better to refuse to install such an extension.
Install extensions only from trusted sources: To reduce the risk of installing malicious extensions, it is recommended that you only download them from the official Chrome store or from trusted sources. Avoid downloading extensions from suspicious sites or through links that come to your inbox.
Update extensions and browser: Developers are constantly working to improve the security of their products, including Chrome extensions. Therefore, it is important to regularly update your extensions and the browser itself to have the latest versions with vulnerabilities fixed.
Refer to reviews and ratings: Before installing an extension, read user reviews and evaluate its rating. This can help you determine how reliable and secure the extension is.

Protecting your information on the internet is a very important task. Danger is everywhere, and the 500 Chrome Extensions incident is a reminder to stay alert and take precautions at all times. By following the tips above, you can significantly improve your security and minimize the risks of your personal information being leaked.

What data did the chrome extensions download?

Chrome extensions provide various functionalities, but some of them have been used to illegally access and download users’ private data. Here are the main types of data that may have been downloaded by chrome extensions without users’ permission:

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Personal information - this may include username, email address, phone number and other contact details that the user provides when registering or using online services. This data may be used by third parties for spamming, phishing or other illegal purposes. 2- Browser history and visited websites - Extensions may collect information about visited web pages and use it to display advertisements, collect statistics or analyze user behavior. This can lead to privacy violations and leakage of sensitive information.
Files and Documents - Some extensions may access files and documents on the user’s device, including images, videos, audio files and other files. This may create a risk of illegal access to personal information and adversely affect data security.
API Keys and Services - Extensions may request access to API keys and services that can be used to perform functions associated with such services. Third parties may abuse this access and use it to obtain private information or commit fraud.

It is important to note that not all extensions for chrome download users’ private data. Most extensions are developed by conscientious developers who follow the rules and consistently keep users safe. However, you need to be careful when installing and using extensions, especially those that require access to private data or device features.

Who was affected by the data breach?

The data leak caused by downloading the private data of millions of users through 500 Chrome extensions has had a serious impact on a lot of people. Unfortunately, many users have fallen victim to the leak of their personal and sensitive data.

Among those affected by this leak may include:

Online banking users: data leakage can lead to attackers accessing users’ bank accounts and sensitive information. This could lead to financial losses and identity theft.
Online store owners: a data breach could lead to attackers accessing customers’ personal and financial information, which could cause serious damage to reputation and business as a whole.
Social media users: attackers can gain access to personal messages, contacts and other sensitive information of social media users.
People using online services and platforms: data breaches can affect users of various online services such as email, cloud storage, file hosting and others where personal information is stored.
Users using Chrome extensions: those who downloaded and used one of the 500 compromised extensions may experience security issues and leakage of personal data, including browsing history, passwords, cookies, and other sensitive information.

Given the potential impact of a data breach, it’s important to take steps to protect your personal information and keep your accounts and devices secure.

Learn how to keep your information safe

Recent events have shown that protecting personal information online is a pressing issue. One recent security breach was the downloading of millions of users’ private data through Google Chrome browser extensions. To keep your information safe from such threats, it is recommended that you take the following precautions:

Install trusted extensions: Before installing Google Chrome browser extensions, be sure to check their rating, user reviews and download source. The official Chrome Web Store should be preferred.
Update your extensions and browser: It is important to update your extensions and browser regularly as manufacturers are constantly patching vulnerabilities and improving security.
Prohibit extensions from accessing private data: You can set restrictions for extensions in your browser settings, preventing them from accessing private data such as your browsing history, passwords, and personal files.
Review extension permissions: Periodically review the permissions granted to installed extensions. If an extension has access to a lot of private information unnecessarily, consider removing it.
Use reliable antivirus software: Install reliable antivirus software on your device that will detect and block suspicious or malicious programs.

In general, to keep your information safe, you need to be aware, vigilant and use reasonable precautions. Installing trusted extensions, updating software regularly, and limiting access to private data will help reduce the risk of a security breach and keep your personal data safe.

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What should you do if your data has been compromised?

If you discover that your data has been compromised due to a security breach or leak, follow these tips to minimize potential harm and protect your information:

Change passwords - If you suspect that your password has been compromised, immediately change the passwords for all of your online accounts. Make sure the new passwords are strong and contain a variety of characters.
Use two-factor authentication - Enable two-factor authentication for all available online services where possible. This is an additional security measure that requires not only a password but also an additional verification code, thus increasing the security of your account.
Be careful about requests for personal information - Be careful about requests for your personal information. Make sure that requests come from trusted and verified sources and not from potential fraudsters.
Install anti-virus software - make sure you have up-to-date anti-virus software installed on your device. It will help detect and prevent possible malicious programs or activity.
Check your account activity - Check your online accounts regularly for suspicious activity or unauthorized access. If you notice anything suspicious, take immediate action to protect your information.

It’s important to remember that even when personal data is handled carefully, leaks can occur, so it’s important to be vigilant and keep your information secure. If your data has been compromised, it is recommended that you contact the support team of the relevant service or provider for further assistance in restoring the security of your accounts.

FAQ:

What data has been stolen from users?

A study found that around 500 Google Chrome browser extensions downloaded the private data of millions of users. The stolen data may include logins, passwords, browsing history, financial information, and other sensitive information.

Which extensions were infected?

It was discovered that around 500 extensions for Google Chrome were contaminated with malicious code that allowed attackers to access users’ private data. Some of these extensions were popular and had millions of installs.

How can I protect my information?

To protect your information, it is recommended to follow several security measures. Firstly, it is worth regularly updating all installed extensions for Google Chrome to make sure they do not contain malicious code. It is also important to be careful when installing new extensions and check their rating, reviews and developer. In addition, you should regularly check your system for viruses with antivirus software.

How can I know if my Google Chrome extension is contaminated?

If you want to know if your Google Chrome extension is contaminated, there are several ways. First, pay attention to your browser’s behavior - if you notice strange pop-ups, redirects or other suspicious activities, your extension may have been contaminated. You can also check your extension’s rating, reviews, and developer on the Extensions page of the Chrome Web Store.

What should I do if my data has already been stolen?

If your data has already been stolen due to a dirty extension, it’s important to take a few steps. First, change all passwords for your online banking, social media, and other services that may have been compromised. Then, check your financial transactions and accounts for any suspicious activity. If you find any suspicious activity, contact the appropriate support services immediately and notify them of the problem.