Google has launched a completely redesigned version of the Chrome Web Store, featuring a modernized interface, personalized extensions, and curated recommendations. The new design, which resembles the Play Store's recent web revamp, includes a rotating list of highlighted extensions and themes on the homepage, as well as new tabs for "Extensions" and "Themes" with sectionized recommendations. The redesigned Chrome Web Store is now available to all users, replacing the previous version.
Google Chrome is testing a new feature that will warn users when an installed extension has been removed from the Chrome Web Store, indicating it may be malware. The Chrome Web Store is flooded with unwanted extensions that can inject ads, track user activity, and even steal personal information. These extensions are quickly replaced by new ones after Google removes them. The Safety Check feature will alert users to uninstall extensions flagged as malware or removed from the store, providing better protection against potential threats.
Google has removed 32 malicious extensions from the Chrome Web Store that had a collective download count of 75 million. The extensions could alter search results and push spam or unwanted ads. Cybersecurity researcher Wladimir Palant discovered that the extensions featured legitimate functionality to keep users unaware of the malicious behavior that came in obfuscated code to deliver the payloads. Avast reported the extensions to Google after confirming their malicious nature, and expanded the list to 32 entries. The extensions were adware that hijacked search results to display sponsored links and paid results, sometimes even serving malicious links.
