时间:2025-07-09 20:15:14 来源:网络整理编辑:百科
Some 37,000 people downloaded a spam version of the "AdBlock Plus" extension from Google after a fra
Some 37,000 people downloaded a spam version of the "AdBlock Plus" extension from Google after a fraudulent ad blocking extension snuck through Google Chrome's verification process and appeared in the Chrome Web Store yesterday.
It's easy to see why Google (and some 37,000 people) were tricked — the developer who packaged the adware into an extension used the name of an already popular and legitimate extension, AdBlock Plus.
SEE ALSO:Whoops, a hacker found a way to steal your passwords from macOS High SierraAdditionally, the bogus page in the Chrome store came with reviews. In short, the fraudulent extension looked pretty realistic. Twitter user SwiftOnSecurity, who regularly tweets about web security, posted an image of the devious extension:
Google allows 37,000 Chrome users to be tricked with a fake extension by fraudulent developer who clones popular name and spams keywords. pic.twitter.com/ZtY5WpSgLt
— SwiftOnSecurity (@SwiftOnSecurity) October 9, 2017
Google eventually caught wind of the breach and removed the deceitful adware, but it remains unclear just how harmful the malware is for those who already downloaded the extension. At least one unfortunate user says they're being hit with ads. In a screenshot of a review, posted by SwiftOnSecurity, the user states that the "instant this was added to Chrome started getting invasive ads with high volume levels opening new tabs."
Though Google took down the adware, SwiftOnSecurity was unimpressed by Google's failure to stop this malware from sneaking through and ending up conspicuously displayed in the Chrome store in the first place:
Legitimate developers just have to sit back and watch as Google smears them with fake extensions that steal their good name pic.twitter.com/3Tnv4NtY9t
— SwiftOnSecurity (@SwiftOnSecurity) October 9, 2017
The 37,000 infected users probably hope this public shaming further motivates Google to buffer the Chrome store's verification process. After all, malicious developers will only get more inventive if the problem isn't fixed.
TopicsCybersecurity
PlayStation Now game streaming is coming to PC2025-07-09 19:34
Hulu's 'Woke' is the bold, irreverent comedy you need: Review2025-07-09 19:29
Julia Louis2025-07-09 19:28
Review: The Whoop fitness tracker is great for people who love data2025-07-09 19:27
Satisfy your Olympics withdrawals with Nike's latest app2025-07-09 19:03
The Galaxy S20 Fan Edition features flagship specs for a more affordable price2025-07-09 18:32
The Nintendo 3DS is dead. Long live the Nintendo 3DS.2025-07-09 18:29
Julia Louis2025-07-09 18:17
Pokémon Go is so big that it has its own VR porn parody now2025-07-09 18:07
'Tenet' had a good Labor Day box office. It's great news for COVID2025-07-09 17:50
Olympian celebrates by ordering an intimidating amount of McDonald's2025-07-09 20:14
Pinterest adds to ban on promotion of culturally insensitive costumes2025-07-09 19:15
Amazon quietly announces major expansion to neighborhood surveillance networks2025-07-09 18:45
'Marvel's Avengers' is a superhero saga that's only just beginning2025-07-09 18:35
This German startup wants to be your bank (without being a bank)2025-07-09 18:28
Pinterest adds to ban on promotion of culturally insensitive costumes2025-07-09 18:27
Mark Hamill drops the mic on the Biden2025-07-09 18:26
Amazon quietly announces major expansion to neighborhood surveillance networks2025-07-09 18:25
Tributes flow after death of former Singapore president S.R. Nathan2025-07-09 18:00
M. Night Shyamalan reveals his next movie in a poster and set photo2025-07-09 17:35