Online Safety

Is That Chrome Extension Safe? How a ‘Productivity Tool’ Could Be Spying on You You download a Chrome extension to help manage tabs, take screenshots, or track your time. It has good ratings, looks legitimate, and does what it promises. Weeks or months later, an update quietly adds extra permissions, and your browsing data, passwords, or even emails start flowing to a server you never authorised. This is not a hypothetical scenario. Recent investigations have uncovered a wave of extension-based attacks that initially target enterprises, but the same techniques are now being used against everyday users. ...

When a ‘Productivity Tool’ Turns Against You: The Rise of Chrome Extension Backdoors You’ve probably installed a handful of Chrome extensions to make your day easier—a note taker, a grammar checker, a tab manager, maybe a PDF viewer. They promise speed, convenience, and a cleaner workflow. But there’s a growing problem that few users realize: some of these tools are being quietly turned into backdoors. ...

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. ...

Is That Productivity Chrome Extension Safe? Here’s How to Spot a Backdoor Browser extensions have become a staple of modern productivity. Grammarly, LastPass, Honey, and countless others promise to save time, manage passwords, or find discounts. But as these tools grow more powerful, they also grow more attractive to attackers. Recent investigations show that seemingly benign “productivity” extensions can hide backdoors that exfiltrate credentials, inject ads, or give attackers remote control of your browser. ...

How to Spot Online Shopping Scams Before They Cost You If you shop online—and most of us do—you have almost certainly encountered a scam attempt. Fake websites, phishing emails, and too-good-to-be-true deals are everywhere. Government agencies like the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) regularly warn consumers about these threats. Their guidance is especially aimed at veterans and seniors, who are frequent targets, but the advice applies to anyone with a credit card and an internet connection. ...

Is Your Chrome Extension a Backdoor? How to Spot and Stop Malicious Add-Ons Introduction If you use Chrome or Edge—and most of us do—you’ve probably installed a handful of extensions to block ads, manage passwords, or improve your workflow. But in recent months, security researchers have sounded a clear alarm: attackers are increasingly targeting these seemingly harmless add-ons to break into corporate networks and steal personal data. ...

How to Avoid Mother’s Day Shopping Scams: BBB Alert and Safety Tips With Mother’s Day just days away, many of us are still hunting for the perfect gift online. Scammers know this, and the Better Business Bureau has issued a fresh alert warning shoppers about a spike in cons targeting last-minute buyers. The alert, reported this week by the Daily Herald, highlights fake storefronts, phishing emails, and social media ads that look like legitimate deals but are designed to steal your money or personal information. Here is what you need to know to shop safely. ...

Is That Chrome Extension Safe? How Productivity Tools Get Turned Into Backdoors If you use Chrome for work or personal tasks, you’ve probably installed a few extensions to block ads, manage passwords, or take notes. They feel harmless—just a helpful add‑on. But in recent months, security researchers have documented a rising threat: otherwise legitimate extensions being hijacked to steal data, plant malware, or open a backdoor into a network. The risk isn’t theoretical, and it affects everyone from individual users to large enterprises. ...

Is Your Favorite Chrome Extension a Security Risk? How to Spot and Stop Malicious Tools Browser extensions promise convenience: grammar checkers, coupon finders, password managers, note-taking assistants. But a growing number of these tools are quietly turning into backdoors. Recent attacks have shown that even widely used extensions can be hijacked after passing Chrome Web Store review, giving attackers access to your browsing data, passwords, and even corporate accounts. ...

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. ...