Fake Chrome extension 'Internet Download Manager' has 200,000 installs

[Gandalf_The_Grey]

Content source

https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/fake-chrome-extension-internet-download-manager-has-200-000-installs/

Google Chrome extension 'Internet Download Manager' installed by more than 200,000 users is adware.

The extension has been sitting on the Chrome Web Store since at least June 2019, according to the earliest reviews posted by users.

Although the extension may install a known and legitimate download manager program, BleepingComputer observed unwanted behavior exhibited by the extension—such as opening links to spammy sites, changing the default browser search engine, and further hounding the user with pop-ups asking them to download more "patches" and unwanted programs.

A quick search on the Chrome Web Store for "IDM," "IDM integration add-ons," or "Download Manager" will yield results containing extensions with hundreds of thousands of user installs, and favorable reviews that may appear promising.

While not all of these extensions may be harmful, users should be cautious when installing new Chrome extensions and verify if these are official versions published by trusted software vendors.

Fake Chrome extension 'Internet Download Manager' has 200,000 installs

Google Chrome extension 'Internet Download Manager' installed by more than 200,000 users is adware. The extension has been sitting on the Chrome Web Store since at least June 2019, according to the earliest reviews posted by users.

www.bleepingcomputer.com