Avoiding Unsafe Browser Add-Ons: Advice from a Remote Access Software Company
Your browser may be harboring identity thieves, malware, and fraud. Users who fail to carefully evaluate permissions may unknowingly open the door to this kind of abuse regardless of whether they use remote desktop technology or not. Unfortunately, users often are in the dark regarding these computer plots until substantial damage has been done.
The Chrome browser has been a prime target of these types of criminal plots recently. In a typical scenario, an innocuous link may appear; if the user clicks on it, he or she opens the door to malicious downloads. Surely some IT support pros may help to identify, ferret out, or block the malware. However, the process of unwinding such damage can be complex and costly.
How can you and your company stay safe from threats that are so difficult to detect?
- Never click a link in a message on social media. Unless you can verify that a message is from a trusted source, avoid clicking; otherwise, you could easily and inadvertently download harmful software.
- Try uninstalling and reinstalling Chrome (or whatever browser you use). Some malware may be erased if you uninstall and reinstall. Other infections may not remain connected with the browser after they have been downloaded.
- Contact a support team member. IT professionals can access your machine remotely to determine whether malware exists not only on your computer, but also anywhere in your company’s network.
Google and other search engines have been collaborating with safety engineers to make controls over extensions stronger. However, if you run a business you cannot count on free tools or the good will of companies like Google to protect you in the long-term.