A recent study by Duo Security reveals that more than 100,000 of the 120,000 existing Chrome extensions have no privacy policy.
In addition, 93,000 do not provide any support. Solving these problems is not very complicated, and would greatly improve the security of the extensions. Recent studies have also shown that VPN extensions integrated into the most popular browser on the planet are very bad for user’s privacy.
So why are so many companies doing nothing to improve the situation?
Google Chrome Extensions collect your data
Most extensions do not protect your personal data. Normally, extensions should only collect certain types of information. Ad blockers, for example, are supposed to be interested only in advertisements. However, it is now known that more than 35% of Chrome Extensions are able to access all your data.
Furthermore, Duo revealed that “31.8% of extensions use third-party software that contains security holes”. To address this issue, the security specialist created CRXcavator, a tool that allows you to check the security level of Chrome extensions.
Chrome Extensions resell your data
Why do Chrome Extensions collect your data? Simply to sell it to other companies. In the best case scenario, these companies simply use this information to create targeted ads. But they can do much more. They can find out exactly who you are, get your passwords, banking information and other confidential information. In addition, criminals sometimes buy extensions to insert malware. A recent article published by French media Le Journal du Net, provides insight on this problem.
VPN Extensions Scam Your Data
Not all VPN extensions are reliable: some even leak your data. Without protection against DNS leaks, a VPN is not able to prevent Chrome from sending DNS queries to ISPs.
VPNs that have experienced data leaks include Hola VPN, Betternet, Touch VPN, Opera VPN, and many others. Some have solved the problem, but others, like Hola VPN, refuse to add DNS leakage protection.
Be careful which type of VPN your purchase if your goal is to increase your privacy when browsing online!