Google has removed 49 cryptocurrency wallet browser extensions! Good move?

[DeadCoin]

Google company knows better, probably their tech team spotted loopholes about these cryptocurrency wallet browser extensions that might hack people in the future. I will consider as a good move from google company rather than there someone who will become a victim. In this case, we should use a hardware wallet at this time, not just a chrome extension wallet.

[finaleshot2016]

Obviously, it's a good move of google 'cause they knew what's the best for them. I think those extensions are bypassing the security of each individual on their internet browser. According to the news, those 49 cryptocurrency extensions are stealing private keys and their targets are

• Ledger
• Trezor
• Jaxx
• Electrum
• Myetherwallet
• Metamask
• Keepkey
• Exodus

and those extensions aren't real, they are programmed to steal keys.

[UserU]

Why dangerous extensions can pass verification and whether security system checks aren't running real-time so bad files can work after passing verification, I don't know how it works but avoid installing suspicious extensions and no good reputation.

Google hands thousands to tens of thousands of plugins/ extensions everyday and it's not easy to sift through the list when some devs sneak malicious code after getting approved.

The same could be said about their Play Store apps.

[verita1]

I have not seen the article to know in detail how things happened. But it is a good decision to remove malicious extensions. When I first read OP. I was alarmed thinking that the MetaMask extension might be included. But happily not so.
I love MetaMask!

[gundala]

I have not seen the article to know in detail how things happened. But it is a good decision to remove malicious extensions. When I first read OP. I was alarmed thinking that the MetaMask extension might be included. But happily not so.
I love MetaMask!

I think TS should include a news link related to the topic to be discussed, so that the discussion is more directed. Well, I found this article, which seemed to be referred to in the topic
https://cointelegraph.com/news/google-removes-49-phishing-extensions-that-steal-cryptocurrency-data

Of course this is a very good thing, like the opinion of most of the members above. Google as one of the technology giants gives a very big influence, almost all social media accounts, chat, buying and selling, etc. are connected with Google accounts. This is an excellent strategic step to provide security for users. The crypto wallet extension can contain malware, which is why before installing an extension make sure it's official and do a simple analysis to find out its quality. In the article mentioned that there are fake five star ratings, we must be really vigilant. Moreover, wallet extension requires us to force mnemonics, private keys, etc. which can be used as a way for hackers to access our wallet.

This is good advice from Brett Callow, Emsisoft's threat analyst at cybersecurity firm

Security products may detect malicious extensions, but the first line of defence should always be common sense. The best advice is to only install extensions from official stores and to do a little research prior to installing them. If a website randomly prompts you to ‘Click ‘allow' to continue downloading an important browser update,’ just close the page.

_source

[skiorf]

It is a quite good movement of the google that they are trying to remove some extension relayed to their corporation that is not legit and authentic today there are a lot of people now are supporting the use of the bitcoin and to encourage them to make more support they need to retain only the cryptocurrency that is really paying some attention to their users and customers because this is the reason why the users want to use those extension and because of earning if they didnt get any payment on these platform they will not trust the platform again and the cryptocurrencu and may cause of spreading the news rapidly that has impact to their earnings too.

yes you are right about the company's revenue which is caused by extension services that are constantly being improved.

As a crypto user it must be vigilant in choosing extensions. Security that is always prioritized by the developer of the extension will be in demand by many people. Maybe you know about the Metamask extension that was detected as phishing which stole the user's private key data. That is an illegal Metamask Extension and not from an Official Metamask. The incident was successfully controlled by Metamask directly and the Extension can be removed so that there are no more victims.

[jacafbiz]

I do not know why some people still install some of these add ons, it is a well know fact that they steal people's crypto, even if you can't afford hard wallet install desktop wallet which is better in security as compare to these extension. Google action is overdue, if these extension has been vetted well then won't be causing the havoc they are causing.

[meanwords]

Google has removed 49 cryptocurrency wallet browser extensions after a security researcher discovered they were stealing private keys. These Chrome extensions targeted users of crypto wallets, such as Ledger, Trezor.

What do you think of this move?

It's a pretty good move to be honest. It really shows a sign that google cares about cryptocurrency and its users even though they themselves tried to ban it. I just hope they just don't go haywire again and try to ban this time legit extension wallets like Meta Mask.

[Wexnident]

The fact that they couldn't identify the goal of the extension before they released it is comparatively bad though. Yes, they may not be able to immediately scan any extension that is going through their servers, but that should be a priority no? So that no victims are allowed. What, you have to wait for a victim before doing a move? I ain't saying it's a bad move. Glad they actually did it and someone was actually willing to research these types of extensions, but still, it's comparatively lacking to what I would consider proper management of their extensions library. Not like it'd affect me though since I only ever used Meta mask tbh.

[btc78]

Google has removed 49 cryptocurrency wallet browser extensions after a security researcher discovered they were stealing private keys. These Chrome extensions targeted users of crypto wallets, such as Ledger, Trezor.

What do you think of this move?

It's a pretty good move to be honest. It really shows a sign that google cares about cryptocurrency and its users even though they themselves tried to ban it. I just hope they just don't go haywire again and try to ban this time legit extension wallets like Meta Mask.

and they are more concern about their reputation because it is being damage as they are being use as search engine so when people becomes victim they at some point has a regret for using Google.

I have not seen the article to know in detail how things happened. But it is a good decision to remove malicious extensions. When I first read OP. I was alarmed thinking that the MetaMask extension might be included. But happily not so.
I love MetaMask!

i think the essence itself is enough to know that google are now doing their part to stop these bad elements to help people and their site have a safer surfing experiences.

[LogitechMouse]

A good move for the company I think? I'm not impacted that much since I'm not using wallet browser extensions. For some people who are using this probably didn't like the move of Google but for some who are either scammed because of this and the ones who are not using these extensions like me maybe like their move.

I just hope that they will also remove some of the wallets apps on their play store. We know that some of these are considered scam apps and they can steal your coins anytime if you don't have the keys (Not your keys, not your coins ).

[danggoron]

Of course, this is a very good anticipatory step from Google. This fact should increase our awareness in selecting applications to be used. Look, how many suspicious wallets, do not carelessly install an application, it could contain malware. Choose a wallet that is truly official and recommended.

[thesmallgod]

It is a good move and kudos to google for taking such decision. I have seen a lot of people complaining about how their fund is being stolen by using wallet browser extension. I hate to see people giving crypto a bad name due to what they heard or see and I strongly believe this will reduce this even though there are some crypto browser extensions that are not develop to steal private keys

[Ailurophile]

I mean, it should be pretty obvious that everyone here thinks that it's a good move..

- Noo, this is a violation of freedom of speech, you can't just remove 49 extensions from Chrome web store, people should learn to review every line of code themselves, they can't just rely on a centralized entity. Why won't you think of the hackers, they need to feed families too.

- Haha, chrome web store banhammer goes brrrr.

But not everyone from crypto could review every line of codes and not everyone could understand codes for sure.
So for those who doesn't know how to check (including me) only rely on those extension and it is great that they have remove it because it could harm us.
It is true that hackers need to feed their families too but it isn't a reason to steal from someone or random people,
This kind of thinking would be applicable in real life we steal because we are poor we need to feed our families or we break some law to feed our families.
So do you think it is okay to steal because we all need to feed our families?

[totoy4741]

Honestly I don't really have an idea about this kind of issue, Chrome extension stealing private keys or any other important information about the wallet but I think it is a great move since it would clear out some malicious activities connecting with those extension links to chrome. Sometime you have to make a move in order to maintain cleanliness to give better service to your customers.

[Yamifoud]

Obviously, it's a good move of google 'cause they knew what's the best for them. I think those extensions are bypassing the security of each individual on their internet browser. According to the news, those 49 cryptocurrency extensions are stealing private keys and their targets are

• Ledger
• Trezor
• Jaxx
• Electrum
• Myetherwallet
• Metamask
• Keepkey
• Exodus

and those extensions aren't real, they are programmed to steal keys.

That is a thing that I'm afraid of having an extension. We should have to care about it and having those things away from us will definitely save us in the future. Maybe google's have received some feedbacks quoting them to act immediately before it gets worse.
It is possible that this is also a reason why I can't access my Metamask anymore and giving an option to remove it as my extension.

It so thankful how Google responds to us. I know not all of us are aware of this.

[BITCOIN4X]

~snip

This is a step that they must take without having to beat around the bush and they should delete it faster without waiting for many people to experience fraud. Allowing a scam extension to continue to be there will increase the chances of the scammer to get more victims.

Choose extensions that are completely safe and have been declared as extension that are very popular with people and its good if we can consider some user reviews before installing them. This is the correct way to choose extensions in my opinion.

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[lixer]

Google has removed 49 cryptocurrency wallet browser extensions after a security researcher discovered they were stealing private keys. These Chrome extensions targeted users of crypto wallets, such as Ledger, Trezor.

What do you think of this move?

That’s a good thing. I used to think that they are not in support in cryptocurrency, but this shows that they are not against cryptocurrency users and would do anything possible to protect their users. Another thing we all have to know is that, Google will not be able to detect all of them at once. Even as they have dictated and removed these ones, others will still pop out from nowhere and try to do the same thing.

So, anyone that’s making use of these browsers should also be careful of which extensions they use, to avoid being robbed of their money and stuffs like that, or having to deal people that will steal your private information.