September 1, 2009, 9:25AM

Firefox Add-on Spies on Google Search Results

Security researchers have intercepted a fake Flash Player update creating a Firefox add-on that spies on the user's Google search results.

The malicious Firefox extension, called "Adobe Flash Player 0.2," injects ads into the user's Google search results pages and even has the capability to monitor the user's browsing activities, particularly Google search queries using the Firefox browser. It then sends the information it gathers to a hacker-controlled server.

Trend Micro's Jonathan Leopando writes:

Editor's Pick

We have seen a lot of malware target Internet Explorer in the past. This is probably one of the reasons why a huge number of users are opting to use alternative browsers such as Firefox, Chrome, Safari, and Opera instead. Though this used to be considered a safe computing practice before, it seems it no longer is with the proliferation of malware targetting the most popular alternative Internet browser—Firefox.

Users should be wary, as always, of downloading updates from unknown sources. They should also note that no browser is safe from malicious attacks as cybercriminals will do just about anything to infect users with their malicious code.

See here for more information on this threat.

Commenting on this Article is closed.