The recent news of multiple Google Chrome add-ons actually being
adware hosts has put the browser in a position to not only spy on users but to be exploited by malware by silent remote updates to the add-ons.
According to Ars Technica, once the deal is done and the ownership of the extension is transferred, the new owners can issue an ad-filled update over Chrome's update service, which sends the adware out to every user of that extension.
There was a new add-on released that will let you know if you're running one of the Chrome add-ons that's been flagged as adware but it has since been removed from the Google Chrome Web Store.
Chrome Protector via
GhacksMore here:
Chrome Protector Notifies You If You're Running an Adware Extension
