Biggest ever spyware campaign unearthed on Google Chrome, hackers used extensions to carry out dirty deed

Not all Google Chrome extensions are created equal. Some may be potentially dangerous too. Very dangerous. Researchers at Awake Security (via Reuters) have unearthed what’s being claimed to be the most far-reaching spyware campaign on Google Chrome ever, with hackers distributing malware under the guise of browser extensions.

While the extent of the damage is unknown, the researchers said infected extensions were downloaded 32 million times. Google said it had removed more than 70 malicious extensions, possibly involved in the spyware campaign, from the Chrome Web Store after Awake’s red-flag last month.