The Browser-Extension Security Crisis
Browser extensions have a bad reputation, and it is often deserved. A 2023 study found that over half of the 300,000+ extensions tested were risky or asked for way too much access. In 2024, another report showed 280 million Chrome users had unknowingly installed malicious add-ons.
Some so-called "free" extensions actually make money by silently collecting and selling your personal info. Things like login details or browsing habits can end up on shady markets just because you installed the wrong tool. Here's what's wrong with a lot of extensions:
They run constantly in the background even when you're not using them.
They ask for access to everything you do online.
You usually don't know who made them or where your data is going.









