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Browser extensions are very useful tools: they block ads, integrate workflows, improve privacy, and solve small everyday problems. But behind seemingly harmless tools can hide serious risks to security and privacy.
This isn't theory. These are real successes cases in which extensions, even those available in official stores, have violated privacy or injected malicious code.
📉 Concrete examples of extensions that have betrayed trust
🕵️♂️ DataSpii – millions of data points exposed
A data breach compromised up to 4 million Chrome and Firefox users through at least eight extensions that collected and transmitted private data—including personal and corporate information—to external servers.
🐛 Extensions compromised with malicious updates
In a recent attack, 16 popular Chrome extensions, used by over 3 million users, were infected through their developers' accounts and began injecting malicious code to steal data or generate search fraud.
📸 Screenshots of every page visited
The case of the VPN extension "FreeVPN.One", with over 100,000 installations, showed that the extension took screenshots of every site visited, sending them to the servers of its anonymous developer—a serious breach of privacy.
🕸️ Spyware campaigns on Chrome and Edge
A massive investigation has found at least 18 malicious extensions that infected over 2.3–2.6 million users, monitoring and potentially transmitting their data. Browsing data.
🧠 "Hidden" extensions with hidden malware
Recent analyses have identified dozens of extensions, even with "Featured" badges, that request sensitive permissions and can access cookies, web traffic, and content, often with remote control capabilities.
🦊 Problems also on Firefox
It's not just a Chrome risk: researchers have discovered 17 Firefox extensions with malware hidden in their icons that could exploit users' browsers.
📜 Why extensions can be dangerous
Even official extensions pass checks, but:
- They can request excessive permissions extensive, such as reading and modifying every site you visit
- They can be bought or compromised by hackers, who then update the code
- Many extensions don't have a transparent developer or a clear privacy policy.
These elements can turn a harmless extension into a gateway to your most sensitive data.
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🧭 VADE VECUM: what to do before installing an extension
🔎 1. Carefully check the developer
- Check the developer: is there a real website? Is there public information?
- An anonymous or unreputable person or company is a red flag.
⭐ 2. Look at reviews critically
- Don't just look at the star rating: read recent reviews.
- Be wary if complaints about privacy or suspicious behavior emerge.
📜 3. Read the privacy policy
- It must be clear and specific about what data is collected and how it is used.
- If it's missing or vague, avoid the extension.
🧱 4. Check the required permissions
An ad blocking extension should not be able to:
- read and modify all your web data,
- access cookies or passwords,
- intercept web traffic.
If it requests more permissions than necessary for its function, don't install it.
🌐 5. Prefer Open Source Software
If the code is public, it can be reviewed by other developers. This doesn't guarantee absolute security, but it increases transparency.
♻️ 6. Update and verify periodically
- Remove extensions you no longer use.
- Regularly check permissions granted in the past.
🧠 The 3 fundamental properties to always verify before installing an extension
Here are the 3 minimum things you absolutely must do:
✅ 1. Evaluate the requested permissions
Don't accept permissions that are too broad for the declared function.
Example: a translator doesn't have to read every website you visit.
✅ 2. Check the developer's reputation
An anonymous or poorly detailed profile is a red flag.
✅ 3. Read the privacy policy
If it's missing or vague, it means your data could be used without limits.
🧾 Conclusion: Avoid command-line installation
Browser extensions can be incredibly useful — but they are not harmless by definition. Like any software, they can violate your privacy, introduce vulnerabilities, or be abused by criminals.
💡 The golden rule: Only install what you really need, always verify who is doing it and what they're asking you for before giving them access to your browser.
Digital security starts with these small precautions — which can protect you from big problems.
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