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Hundreds of fake Chrome VPN extensions route traffic through a proxy
August 12, 2026 · BleepingComputer · Severity: MEDIUM
More than 737 malicious Chrome Web Store extensions impersonate popular VPN and proxy services while routing user traffic through SOCKS5 proxies operated by a single provider. These fake extensions can expose browsing activity or intercept data. Users should only install extensions from verified publishers and scrutinize permission requests.
Key Takeaways
- Over 737 fake Chrome extensions impersonate well-known VPN and proxy services.
- Malicious extensions route user traffic through SOCKS5 proxies controlled by one provider.
- Chrome Web Store users should verify extension authenticity and reviews before installing.