Fake extensions deceive 260,000 Chrome users

Q: Quantos usuários foram afetados?

Mais de 260 mil usuários do Chrome foram afetados.

Q: Quantas extensões falsas estavam disponíveis?

Havia 30 extensões falsas disponíveis.

Q: O que essas extensões falsas faziam?

Elas se passavam por ferramentas legítimas de IA para coletar dados pessoais.

www.darkreading.com

Cybersecurity

Fake extensions deceive 260,000 Chrome users

TL;DR

Over 260,000 Chrome users fell victim to fake extensions posing as legitimate AI tools. The incident raises concerns about current security measures.

www.darkreading.com•February 16, 2026•

1 min read

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More than 260,000 users of the Chrome browser were deceived by fake extensions that claimed to be legitimate artificial intelligence (AI) tools. These extensions, totaling 30, managed to disguise themselves well enough to fool even Google's verification system.

The extensions mimicked popular AI applications, promising advanced features that, in reality, did not exist. Their main goal was to collect users' personal data without their knowledge, potentially exposing systems to security risks.

Google has already removed these extensions from the Chrome Web Store, but the incident raises concerns about the effectiveness of current security mechanisms in combating similar fraud. The fake extensions not only bypassed Google's security but also affected thousands of users who believed they were installing trustworthy tools.

Digital security experts recommend that Chrome users regularly check the permissions granted to installed extensions and keep their browsers updated to protect their personal data.

Users should be cautious when installing extensions from unknown sources. Checking reviews and researching the developer's reputation are essential steps to avoid falling for similar frauds in the future.