Cybersecurity

Fake Prom Dress Websites Are Tricking Shoppers — Here’s How to Avoid Them Prom season is just around the corner, and for many families in the Hudson Valley and beyond, that means hunting for the perfect dress online. Unfortunately, scammers are exploiting the rush. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) has issued an alert warning about fraudulent websites that pose as prom dress retailers, only to disappear after taking your money — and sometimes your personal information. ...

1 in 3 Americans Have Fallen for an Online Shopping Scam: Here’s How to Protect Yourself Online shopping has become routine for most people, but it also comes with risks that are more common than many realize. New data from the Pew Research Center shows that about a third of Americans say they’ve personally experienced an online shopping scam. That figure is a reminder that fraud is not rare, and that basic precautions can make a real difference. ...

Is That Chrome Extension Safe? How ‘Productivity’ Tools Can Turn Into Malware You probably have a handful of Chrome extensions installed—one for password management, another for grammar checking, maybe a coupon finder or a note-taking side panel. They’re convenient, lightweight, and often free. But over the past few years, attackers have quietly turned this convenience into a serious liability. A growing number of extensions that appear to be harmless productivity aids are being used as backdoors to steal data, inject ads, or install further malware on both personal and corporate devices. ...

Are Your Chrome Extensions Safe? A Practical Guide to Avoiding Malicious Add-Ons Introduction Browser extensions are small but powerful. They can block ads, manage passwords, take notes, or streamline your workflow. But that same power is also what makes them attractive to attackers. Malicious Chrome extensions—often disguised as productivity tools—have become a reliable way to spy on browsing activity, steal login credentials, and even slip past corporate firewalls. Recent investigations show that these add-ons are now being used in sophisticated attacks that start inside the browser. ...

Chrome Extensions Hijacked: How to Spot a Dangerous Productivity Tool Before It’s Too Late Your browser extensions may be a bigger security risk than you think. Recent reports document a rising pattern: malicious actors compromise legitimate-looking productivity extensions, then use them to steal credentials, exfiltrate corporate data, or establish persistent access inside enterprise networks. The attack is subtle, because the extension usually delivers on its promised functionality — at least for a while. ...

How to Spot Malicious Chrome Extensions Disguised as Productivity Tools If you use Chrome for work or daily tasks, you probably have a handful of extensions installed. A grammar checker, a screenshot tool, a PDF merger, a password manager. They save time, but they also open a direct line into your browser—and by extension, into your accounts, your data, and sometimes your employer’s network. ...

The Hidden Danger in Your Browser: How Productivity Extensions Get Backdoored Browser extensions are a staple of modern work. They help you manage passwords, take notes, block ads, and speed up repetitive tasks. But that convenience comes with a hidden risk. Over the past few years, attackers have learned that instead of breaking into a company’s network directly, they can install a backdoor through a Chrome extension that employees already trust. ...

Is That Chrome Extension Safe? How ‘Productivity Tools’ Are Becoming Backdoors Chrome extensions are small pieces of software that add features to your browser—ad blockers, grammar checkers, password managers, and countless others. Most are helpful and harmless. But a growing number are designed to steal your data, and they’re getting harder to spot. ...

Chrome Extension Security: How to Tell If a ‘Productivity’ Tool Is Actually Malware Intro If you use Chrome extensions to help you manage tasks, take notes, or organize emails, you are not alone. Millions of people install these small tools each day, trusting that they are safe. But a growing body of evidence shows that some extensions are not what they seem. Attackers have learned to disguise malicious code inside seemingly helpful productivity tools, turning your browser into a backdoor they can use to steal data, hijack accounts, or move deeper into a network. ...

Scam alerts to watch right now and how to avoid them Every year, scammers look for opportunities to exploit generosity and last‑minute shopping. Mother’s Day is no exception. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) has issued a seasonal warning: con artists are setting up fake online stores, sending phishing texts that appear to be from delivery services, and creating bogus charities that claim to help mothers in need. If you are planning to buy a gift or make a donation in the coming days, here is what you need to watch for. ...