Four (4) Harmful Extensions You Should Uninstall From Your Browser
Do you face this problem where you come across frustrating and data-consuming adware that keeps appearing at intervals without you granting permission? If so, stay tuned to this article as I will be discussing four (4) harmful Google Chrome extensions you need to uninstall to stop irrelevant adware from distracting your browsing session.
Browser extensions are beneficial for proper functionality, but keeping harmful extensions can damage your browser and alter your personal data. Although locating these harmful Chrome extensions is not easy, there are four common harmful extensions I will discuss.
FOUR (4) HARMFUL CHROME BROWSER EXTENSIONS YOU SHOULD UNINSTALL
These extensions I will list here are the ones I am familiar with; there are many other harmful Chrome extensions out there that I might list and explain here.
- Antivirus extensions
- Hover Zoom
- Hola
- FindMeFreebies
ANTIVIRUS EXTENSIONS
Many antivirus browser extensions are floating around the web, some of which are legitimate and effective, while most antivirus extensions come from manufacturers who clone the real ones only to profit.
Harmful Chrome antivirus extensions can modify your browsing information, gather personal data, and even change your homepage or default search engine. Nowadays, one must be careful in choosing an antivirus program for the safety of personal data and safe browsing.
Most antivirus programs monitor web traffic for safety, making it less necessary to use a dedicated browser extension.
HOVER ZOOM
Hover Zoom was a useful tool for photo editing, allowing users to enlarge images by hovering over them.
However, the extension was sold to a company that programs malicious extensions, turning it into spyware to track and sell browsing data. Spyware is a type of malware used to monitor a user's browsing session for personal information retrieval or intrusive purposes.
Although Hover Zoom is currently unavailable for download, I mention it in case it reappears in the future. A perfect and safe alternative for Hover Zoom is Imagus.
HOLA
Hola is a peer-to-peer proxy network that operates similarly to a VPN. It allows users to borrow connections from others, unblocking content available in a user's location or region.
Although Hola seems legitimate, you can get into trouble when an unknown user connects to your network and performs illegal activities. Even worse, Hola has been used as a giant botnet system that sells bandwidth through an associated Luminati service.
Before the company implemented highly secure guidelines, individuals with malicious activities launched several DDoS attacks on major websites.
I strongly advise you to avoid harmful Chrome browser extensions that could trade your bandwidth with malicious sites or unknown third parties.
FINDMEFREEBIES
FindMeFreebies is a Chrome extension known for hijacking browsers’ homepages and implementing their site URL to advertise their services. Despite its name suggesting it provides free online goods, it operates otherwise.
FindMeFreebies also installs fake and malicious extensions in your browser to generate revenue from advertisements displayed on your Chrome browser.
According to my research in their privacy policy, I discovered that this malicious extension is designed by ASK Search Engine, which has recently been deemed spammy by users.
