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Google and Microsoft Pull ModHeader With 1.6 Million Installs After Dormant Collector Found

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Google and Microsoft Pull ModHeader With 1.6 Million Installs After Dormant Collector Found

Google and Microsoft removed ModHeader, a browser extension with approximately 1.6 million installations, after security researchers discovered a dormant data collector embedded in the official store version. The collector remained inactive due to an empty allowlist and showed no evidence of having transmitted any user browsing data.

Why it matters: Users of ModHeader on Chrome and Edge face potential privacy exposure if the extension's developer activates the collection mechanism in future updates; practitioners should audit installed extensions and verify legitimate functionality.

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breaches incidents

Google and Microsoft Pull ModHeader With 1.6 Million Installs After Dormant Collector Found

Google and Microsoft removed ModHeader, a browser extension with approximately 1.6 million installations, after security researchers discovered a dormant data collector embedded in the official store version. The collector remained inactive due to an empty allowlist and showed no evidence of having transmitted any user browsing data.

Why it matters: Users of ModHeader on Chrome and Edge face potential privacy exposure if the extension's developer activates the collection mechanism in future updates; practitioners should audit installed extensions and verify legitimate functionality.

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