Jump to content

Recommended Posts

Posted

Adware vendors buy Chrome Extensions to send ad- and malware-filled updates

 

Once in control, they can silently push new ad-filled "updates" to those users.

 

http://arstechnica.com/security/2014/01/malware-vendors-buy-chrome-extensions-to-send-adware-filled-updates/

 

To make matters worse, ownership of a Chrome extension can be transferred to another party, and users are never informed when an ownership change happens. Malware and adware vendors have caught wind of this and have started showing up at the doors of extension authors, looking to buy their extensions. Once the deal is done and the ownership of the extension is transferred, the new owners can issue an ad-filled update over Chrome's update service, which sends the adware out to every user of that extension.

 

Something to watch for if you are a Chrome user. :breakfast:

Guest LilBambi
Posted

Same is true for Firefox and Internet Explorer extensions. Keeping these buggers out of your browser are a pain, but it has to be done.

 

Many extensions you have to be very careful of. I use few regardless.

 

The real problem are the drive-by download installations of the myriad of badware extensions that get pushed to people without their knowledge or with other things.

V.T. Eric Layton
Posted

Slow and excruciatingly painful death to all SPAMMERs. :yes:

  • Like 1
V.T. Eric Layton
Posted

We'll make some exceptions.

Posted
One month after the company announced that it was kicking some toolbars and other "multipurpose extensions" out of the Chrome Web Store -- to keep its browser's interface uncluttered and to protect users from unpleasant surprises -- it has removed two Chrome extensions, according to The Wall Street Journal.

 

The two extensions, "Add to Feedly" and "Tweet This Page," reportedly had their code updated so that users would see more pop-up ads while using Chrome. Dozens of users took to message boards after the update to complain about the ads. [...]

 

Google discards extensions that force feed users ads in Chrome

  • Like 1
Guest LilBambi
Posted

Awesome! Way to go Google Chrome devs!

 

Amit Agrawal, developer of the "Feedly" extension, penned a blog post on Thursday saying that he sold his extension but now regrets it. Once Feedly got in the hands of the new owner, it became laden with "invisible ads that work the background and replace links on every website that you visit into affiliate links."

 

I bet! Especially once it was known what they did with his work!

Guest LilBambi
Posted

Actually, no. Feedly isn't the one doing this. It's another extension called; "Add to Feedly", plus another extension called "Tweet This Page" from the article siljaline posted.

Guest LilBambi
Posted

Gawd! What next, right? Sigh...

 

Thanks siljaline!

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...