Why you should delete your browser extensions right now - or do this to stay safe

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ZDNET's key takeaways

• Malicious browser extensions are a widespread problem.
• Even vetted extensions can be dangerous.
• Here's what you should do to avoid issues.

Koi Security investigated a single malicious extension used as a color picker and found it had infected 2.3 million users on Chrome and Edge. Cybernews reported in 2024 that more than 350 million people downloaded insecure browsers during a two-year period.

Those two facts alone should have you rethinking your stance on browser extensions.

Back when I was working with an IT-managed support company, every time I ran into a computer that was running slowly or having issues, the first thing I would do was check if the user had installed browser extensions. Every time, the first type of extension I would look for was those that promised to ...