Date: 15 June 2026.
The Hacker News report that "researchers have discovered a network of 152 Google Chrome extensions that act as new tab live wallpaper add-ons to distribute a potentially unwanted program (PUP) family."
The latest news follows several other such announcements about rogue Chrome browser extensions.
Read more: 152 Chrome Wallpaper extensions with installs linked to adware and fake traffic
Heads up: other browsers are not immune from the same threats.
Similar such announcements
April 2026.
Read more: More dodgy Google Chrome browser extensions
March 2026.
Read more: Two more dodgy Google Chrome browser extensions
February 2026.
Read more: Read more: Another Malicious Google Chrome extension is discovered
January 2026.
Read more: Malware found in more Google Chrome extensions
Read more: Malware found in 5 more Google Chrome extensions
December 2025.
Read more: Malware found in 17 Firefox Add-ons
Read more: Featured Chrome browser extension caught intercepting millions of users' AI chats
Read more: Trust Wallet Chrome extension bug
How should you respond?
Keep your use of browser extensions to the absolute minimum.
And look out for suspicious behaviour in your browser.
If an extension you installed a long time ago suddenly starts to behave differently (example, unexpected pop-ups, performance issues) then consider that it may have received a malicious update.
If you suspect foul play then uninstall the extension.
Better still, uninstall and reinstall the latest release of the browser application.
Finally, don't assume that a "Featured" badge in an online marketplace and millions of existing users means an extension may not at some future date be harmful.
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