The Troubling Reality of Chrome Extensions in the Google Web Store
Friday, 11 April 2025, 11:15
The Troubling Reality of Chrome Extensions in the Google Web Store
Chrome extensions are raising alarms with potential vulnerabilities found in the Google Chrome Web Store. Many extensions, installed on over 4 million devices, exhibit suspicious behaviors. The situation begs the question: how trustworthy are these extensions in the Chrome ecosystem?
Common Permissions Among Suspicious Extensions
- Tabs: Manage and interact with browser windows
- Cookies: Access stored browser cookies
- WebRequest: Intercept and modify web requests
- Storage: Store information persistently in the browser
- Scripting: Inject JavaScript into web pages
- Alarms: Trigger events like a cron job
- <all_urls>: Interact with all browsing activity
These permissions raise significant concerns as they allow extensions to engage in potentially abusive actions, highlighting the need for strict scrutiny and trust in the apps we install.
This article was prepared using information from open sources in accordance with the principles of Ethical Policy. The editorial team is not responsible for absolute accuracy, as it relies on data from the sources referenced.