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Google Chrome is testing a new feature that will alert users if an extension they have installed has been removed from the Chrome Web Store. This warning would indicate that the extension may contain malware or other harmful elements and prompt users to remove it before any damage occurs. This move comes as an effort to address the issue of browser extensions posing a threat to user privacy. It has been estimated that up to half of all Chrome extensions violate user privacy, making Chrome a tempting target for hackers.

Malware extensions are often promoted through scam ads, reaching a wide audience of potential victims. Google constantly removes harmful extensions from its store, but new ones quickly replace them. Although the new security feature will only warn users about removed extensions and not automatically remove them from their machines, it is still a step towards increasing user awareness and safety.

To enable the new feature, users can try out Chrome 116 and enable the Extensions Module in the Safety Check feature by pasting “chrome://flags/#safety-check-extensions” into the Chrome address bar. Once enabled, the feature can be found in Chrome’s settings under the Privacy and Security section. A “Safety check” heading will prompt users to review any extensions that have been removed from the Chrome Web Store. The page will list the removed extensions and provide an explanation for their removal, such as containing malware or violating Google’s policies.

It is important for users to regularly review their extensions, even ones that haven’t been removed, as they may become outdated and vulnerable to exploitation by hackers. Keeping track of installed extensions can help prevent virus infections and data loss. While the feature is not a complete solution, having a warning system in place is a step in the right direction for improving user safety on Google Chrome.

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