The few premium extensions that do exist usually have some degree of free functionality, or they exist as elements of some larger paid service. In fact, paid extensions are so rare that Google even shut down the payment system of the Chrome Online App Store in 2020, pushing developers to other payment systems. How did a browser extension become a breeding ground for malware? The vast majority of browser extensions are free to install. Next we’ll talk about how this problem keeps happening and what you can do to protect yourself. Despite the best efforts of Google, Microsoft, and other browser developers, the same old story keeps happening over and over again. However, browser extensions can go from useful to dangerous in a single update, potentially opening up your browsing habits and certain personal data to unknown third-party developers or companies. The original idea of web browser extensions was great, making the browser more personal by allowing users to install various plug-ins they needed.
