319 Chrome extensions redirected searches through tracking servers

First reported by Cyber Security News at · Updated · 2 sources

The extensions had a combined 13.4 million reported installations and routed searches through tracking servers before sending users to Bing or Yahoo, generating advertising revenue. According to Cyber Security News, the campaign operated over a decade, with extensions presented as PDF converters, manual finders, safe search tools and AI search helpers.

Covered by 2 publishers within 7 hours of the first report.

Reporting2

Cyber Security News 319 Chrome Extensions Found Hijacking Searches, Affecting 13.4 Million Users · Tushar Subhra Dutta
BleepingComputer Chrome extensions with 13.4 million installs caught hijacking searches · Bill Toulas