The Chrome Web Store has faced this issue for years. Malicious extensions, however, are not a new problem for Google. The security firm also noted that it had seen an increase in “adware” companies using extensions to push things like free coupons, recipes, and videos, as well as those that would harvest users’ browsing habits then resell them to marketing companies for better ad targeting.

The extension, which required elevated permissions, silently talked back to a remote server and would push ads to users after installation.Īfter removal, it was soon replaced by another that redirected users to a social networking site. In January, security firm Malwarebytes pointed to one rogue extension that was only pulled after a thousand downloads, as an example of the malware problem. It also arrives in a post-Snowden era where governments, like those in the EU, are getting involved in passing user data privacy regulations and legislation. The changes come at a time when the Chrome Web Store has been targeted by malware makers, who have posted rogue extensions that do terrible things like spy on web users and collect their personal data. The company says it’s making changes to browser’s User Data Policy, which will now require developers to be more transparent about how they handle customer data, and which will require user consent when data is collected, among other things.

Google is cleaning up its Chrome Web Store – the marketplace where you can browse for extensions and apps for its Chrome web browser.

Chrome web store apps