Delete these browser extensions! Popular downloads hiding malware

We’re all looking for ways to be more productive and make getting things done easier. Apps on your devices are a great way to accomplish almost anything you put your mind to. When you’re working on a computer, you’ll want to add browser extensions for the same type of results.
Browser extensions can give you quick access to things like translation, currency conversion or screen captures. Third-party software makers often develop these extensions, and that has recently been causing security issues. Tap or click here to find out about security for browser extensions.
In fact, several extensions were recently caught hiding malware. If you are using any of these malicious extensions, you’re putting your personal information and banking details at risk.
Remove these browser extension
Digital security company Avast said that it recently discovered more than 20 malicious extensions, harboring malware when used with Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge browsers. Installing and activating an infected extension can put your computer’s security at risk and expose your information.
The malicious extensions redirect your PC’s internet traffic to advertising or phishing websites. Unaware users could inadvertently supply the scammers with all their personal information or banking details.
If you make use of any extension listed below, we suggest that you deactivate and remove it from your browser immediately.
- Direct Message for Instagram
- DM for Instagram
- Invisible mode for Instagram Direct Message
- Downloader for Instagram
- Instagram Download Video & Image
- App Phone for Instagram
- Stories for Instagram
- Universal Video Downloader
- Video Downloader for FaceBook
- Vimeo Video Downloader
- Volume Controller
- Zoomer for Instagram and FaceBook
- VK UnBlock. Works fast.
- Odnoklassniki UnBlock. Works quickly.
- Upload photo to Instagram
- Spotify Music Downloader
- Stories for Instagram
- Upload photo to Instagram
- Pretty Kitty, The Cat Pet
- Video Downloader for YouTube
- SoundCloud Music Downloader
- The New York Times News
- Instagram App with Direct Message DM
Most of the extensions are related to downloading content from YouTube, Instagram or Spotify, while others plug into Facebook or Vimeo.
Under normal circumstances, an antivirus or malware application would detect the malicious code in the extensions. For the ones listed, the authors of the code found a sneaky way around it.
RELATED: Watch out! Cybercriminals are now targeting your browser extensions
Your antivirus might not detect the threat
5 new smart ways to save on Amazon

Amazon is already one of the best places to shop online, but did you know you can save even more money if you know where to look?
Amazon shoppers, especially Prime members, have access to benefits like premium credit cards, subscription orders and other unique ways to save. Tap or click here to see how to get even more out of your Amazon account.
Stream like a pro: 7 Netflix hacks you'll use all the time

No doubt since the coronavirus pandemic hit, you’ve spent more time than you’d care to admit watching Netflix. The streaming service has great hits like “Stranger Things,” “Ozark,” and “The Crown.” Before you sign up for another service, tap or click here for 15 streaming sites that offer free trials.
Avoid these imposter VPN extensions that hijack your browser search results

VPNs are designed to protect your privacy when you browse the web, so they’re the last thing you’d expect to put your data at risk.
That’s why scammers will sometimes disguise their malware as VPN extensions. It’s an easy way for them to slip malware and spam by you without you noticing. Tap or click here to see how three iPhone VPNs secretly installed fleeceware on victim’s phones.
5 new steps you can take right now to stay safer online

The FBI recently reported a 400% increase in cyberattack complaints received since the start of the pandemic. If you haven’t given your devices and accounts a security checkup, now’s the time to do it.
Precautions like two-factor authentication and strong passwords are good places to start, but there are subtle tactics hackers can use against you even with these measures in place. Tap or click here to see a scam that targets 2FA codes.
Privacy tip: Use this extension to say 'no thanks' to personalized ads

Think about the interest-based ads you see online. You search for a pair of shoes, and just like that, there they are, following you around online.
How can you stop this creepy practice? First, you need to know who’s watching and what they can see. Tap or click for ways to stop advertisers from following you online.
Google Drive tricks: 15 smart ways to get more out of this free office software

Almost all of us utilize cloud storage services like Google Drive or Dropbox in some capacity. Cloud-based storage services are just a normal part of using technology at this point.
While there are lots of cloud storage services to choose from, Google Drive has tons of advantages over the competition. Not only does it offer free file storage, but it also lets you create documents that can be accessed from anywhere. That’s a huge benefit now that it’s common to work remotely. Tap or click here to see what Google did to help at-home workers over the past few months.
5 insider pro secrets for shopping on Amazon you'll wish you knew sooner

Amazon.com is America’s biggest online marketplace, and it doesn’t look like it’s going anywhere anytime soon. Even during 2020, the first year of the pandemic, CEO Jeff Bezos increased his net worth by billions — staggering, no matter how you slice it.
Hidden danger in your browser: Remove these extensions

One of the best things about a flexible browser is how easy it is to add new features. This is mostly thanks to extensions — the small apps that run inside your browser.
But as good as many extensions are, not every program has your best interest in mind. Security researchers have actually found several extensions that spied on users or acted like malware. Tap or click here to see how 100 or more extensions were caught snooping on users.
Have trouble keeping track of birthdays? Use this handy tool

Are you fed up with the lack of privacy and finally moved on from Facebook? If that’s the case, there still might be one thing you need from the site — It’s still a great way to keep track of all the birthdays in your social circle.
Privacy tip: This search engine doesn't track you like Google

Can you name the most popular search engines off of the top of your head? You probably can — or at least the top one: Google.
Google may be a household name and the most-used search engine, but there have been some privacy issues related to it over the years. One of the main issues is that it tracks and retains some or all of your search history, even when you aren’t logged in. What you search for, the videos you watch, the images that you view, and the ads you purposely (or accidentally) click on are all retained by Google. Tap or click here to erase everything Google knows about you.
Doing research or have a kid in school? This handy app is a lifesaver

If you ever find yourself needing to cite something, whether it’s for work or school, you know how complicated and tedious the process can be. Luckily, there is a tool out there that works as your own personal, digital research assistant.
Browser feeling sluggish? Speed up Chrome, Firefox, Safari and Edge

All of us are relying on the internet more than ever these days for work, school and shopping. Because of the pandemic, most of us are doing all of our daily routines online — which is why having a fast, secure connection is so important to so many people.
Miss the old Facebook design? Here's how to get it back

Facebook is many things, but “easy to understand” isn’t one of them. There’s a definite learning curve to using the site, and certain options like settings and privacy features can be difficult for people who aren’t tech-savvy to find.
20 things I bought on Amazon you might want, too

Here are some items that I recently purchased on Amazon. I thought maybe you could use a few of the things that I purchased, too.
For years, I’ve been printing, signing and sending sensitive, as well as financial, documents from home. It’s just dumb to throw those papers in the trash. Sure, you can tear them up, but that’s not good enough.
3 browser extensions to boost your online security

Staying safe online is important but can quickly become complicated. From choosing strong passwords to being careful with what attachments you open to installing the right antivirus software and more, it’s easy to sink time and money into staying safe. Luckily, you can help protect yourself for free by installing browser extensions.
Netflix pro tip: Use this tool to find hidden streaming categories

These days it’s more likely than not that your plans for Friday and Saturday night include a whole lot of nothing since social distancing is the way of the world. But, just because you’re not hitting the town doesn’t mean you can’t find ways to stay entertained. A nice evening with a great movie is a good way to go.
Edge vs. Chrome: Is Microsoft's web browser really faster?

If you’re a regular user of Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge browsers, we have some good news for you. New improvements were recently rolled out for the Edge browser and updates are in the works for Chrome, and we think you’re going to like the changes quite a bit.
Use this smart hack to link to specific text from a webpage

Have you ever tried to win a friendly argument by linking someone to information you found on the internet, only to be told by your sparring partner that they can’t find what you’re referring to in the text? It’s a frustrating turn of events, but a new Google Chrome extension can help you resolve the issue and prevail as the argument winner every time.
100+ Chrome extensions caught spying - delete them now

Malware creators are getting more and more clever with each passing day. It used to be that malicious attachments and downloads were the biggest areas of concern for malware, but cybercriminals have figured out that it’s much more profitable to disguise their attacks as legitimate apps and browser extensions.