{"id":4845,"date":"2024-07-19T09:12:09","date_gmt":"2024-07-19T08:12:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sysdojo.com\/?p=4845"},"modified":"2026-03-28T23:56:19","modified_gmt":"2026-03-28T23:56:19","slug":"are-those-chrome-extensions-filled-with-malware","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sysdojo.com\/corp\/are-those-chrome-extensions-filled-with-malware\/","title":{"rendered":"Are those Chrome extensions filled with malware?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

If you use Google Chrome in your business, you\u2019re probably familiar with Chrome extensions. These useful tools can enhance your browsing experience in countless ways, from blocking annoying ads to reducing distractions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Extensions are incredibly popular because they can add so much functionality to your browser. But just as you need to be careful when installing new apps on your phone, you must also be cautious when adding new extensions to your browser. That\u2019s because they come with a risk of malware. It\u2019s short for malicious software \u2013 that\u2019s any software intentionally designed to cause damage to a computer, server, or network. Just like with ransomware<\/a>, cyber criminals use malware to steal data, hijack systems, and even empty your bank accounts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although Google keeps a tight watch on its Chrome Web Store<\/a>, the risk is still there. A recent report claims 280 million people installed a malware-infected Chrome extension between July 2020 and February 2023. That\u2019s a huge number and highlights the importance of being vigilant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Surprisingly, many malicious extensions remained available for download on the Chrome Web Store for a long time. On average, malware-filled extensions stayed up for 380 days, while those with vulnerable code were available for about 1,248 days. One particularly notorious extension was downloadable for 8 and a half years before being removed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, how can you protect yourself and your business<\/a> from these malicious extensions? Here are five steps we recommend.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. External reviews: Since checking ratings and reviews on the Chrome Web Store isn\u2019t always reliable (many malicious extensions don\u2019t have reviews), look for external reviews from trusted tech sites to judge whether an extension is safe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Permissions: Be cautious if an extension asks for more permissions than it should. If a new extension requests extensive access to your data or system, this could be a red flag.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Security software: Use robust software to catch malware before it can do any harm. This is your last line of defense if you accidentally install a malicious extension.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Necessity: Before installing any new software or browser extensions, consider whether you really need it. Often, you can achieve the same functionality visiting a website.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Trusted sources: Only install extensions from trusted sources or well-known software providers. This significantly reduces the risk of downloading a harmful extension.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chrome is the most popular browser, which means it will always be a target for cyber criminals. Google\u2019s security team works hard to review every Chrome extension to ensure they are safe, but it\u2019s still crucial to be vigilant. If you\u2019re unsure whether your extensions are safe or not, or you\u2019d like more advice around keeping your business secure, our team can help. Get in touch.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Chrome extensions are great for boosting productivity and saving time. But if they\u2019re not the real deal, you could be at risk from malware. We tell you how to stay protected.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":4846,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[29],"tags":[54],"class_list":["post-4845","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-cybersecurity","tag-malware"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sysdojo.com\/corp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4845","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sysdojo.com\/corp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sysdojo.com\/corp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sysdojo.com\/corp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sysdojo.com\/corp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4845"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/sysdojo.com\/corp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4845\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4848,"href":"https:\/\/sysdojo.com\/corp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4845\/revisions\/4848"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sysdojo.com\/corp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4846"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sysdojo.com\/corp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4845"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sysdojo.com\/corp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4845"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sysdojo.com\/corp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4845"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}