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Hackers can now grab your personal info through PNG files
2 min. read
Updated onOctober 4, 2023
updated onOctober 4, 2023
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Key notes
If you’re more than a vampire and you avoid even the excessive light coming from your computer screen, you’re probably using a dark theme.
The Dark Reader extension is a pretty popular dark theme extension for yourbrowser. However, extensions can sometimes be more than you bargained for.
How can I avoid malware extensions?
The latest period was all about keeping yourself safe from a pouring onslaught of malware attacks.
In this rush storm, the developer of Dark Reader recently found out that copycat extensions made their appearance on theMicrosoft Storeand Mozilla AMO.
He took the matter seriously and analyzed the extensions that proved to be infected with malware.
The wrongdoers included malicious code that was hidden inside a png file. According to hisown blog post:
A malicious code was hidden and encoded in a *.png file. In 5 days it downloaded and executed another code, that was collecting data from web pages using fake forms, and later sent this data to a remote server.
Of course, he solved the problem by contacting Microsoft who took down the extensions from its Extensions Store.
If you have the new Edgebrowserand you installed the extension prior to this fix, you should see it flagged when you try to open the list of installed extensions in the Microsoftbrowser.
You’re going to see a warning saying thatThis extension contains malware.
How can I stay away from potentially harmful extensions?
The developer also includes a list of things you should do to stay safe from malware extensions.
Using extensions made by Trusted Companies or using recommended Extensions for Firefox are among his top recommendations.
Other solutions to stay safe also include using open-source extensions or paid ones.
Of course, if you want to make sure that your personal data remains untouched, you can always check the extension’s name manually, read the reviews for each of them, and always protect your accounts.
However, to add another layer of security to your PC you can always count on anti-malware tools. Check out thishandy listto find the best ones on the market right now.
If you have any questions or suggestions, make sure you write us a line in the comments section below.
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More about the topics:browser extension
Claudiu Andone
Windows Toubleshooting Expert
Oldtimer in the tech and science press, Claudiu is focused on whatever comes new from Microsoft.
His abrupt interest in computers started when he saw the first Home Computer as a kid. However, his passion for Windows and everything related became obvious when he became a sys admin in a computer science high school.
With 14 years of experience in writing about everything there is to know about science and technology, Claudiu also likes rock music, chilling in the garden, and Star Wars. May the force be with you, always!
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Claudiu Andone
Windows Toubleshooting Expert
Oldtimer in the tech and science press, with 14 years of experience in writing on everything there is to know about science, technology, and Microsoft
