Caution in Cryptocurrency: A List of Forty Firefox Add-ons Capable of Rapidly Depleting Your Digital Assets
In a recent cyberattack campaign, more than 40 bogus Firefox extensions have been uploaded to the Mozilla Add-ons Store, targeting cryptocurrency users. These malicious extensions, designed to steal wallet credentials, have been found to contain spyware code hidden inside innocuous-looking files, impersonating widely used wallets such as MetaMask and Keplr Coinbase Wallet.
To protect yourself from such scams, it's crucial to verify the legitimacy of Firefox browser extensions, particularly those related to cryptocurrency. Here are some steps to follow:
1. **Check the Source**: Download the extension from the official Mozilla Firefox Add-ons store. Avoid installing extensions from third-party websites or unofficial sources.
2. **Evaluate Reviews**: Be cautious of extensions with hundreds of five-star reviews that seem unrealistic compared to the number of active users. This could indicate fake reviews meant to deceive users.
3. **Validate the Extension’s Identity**: Ensure the extension's branding aligns with the legitimate wallet or service it claims to represent. Scammers often use the same logos and names to appear authentic.
4. **Inspect Permissions**: Check the permissions the extension requests. Legitimate extensions should only request necessary permissions. Be wary of extensions that request excessive or unrelated permissions.
5. **Monitor for Suspicious Behavior**: Be cautious of extensions that remain silent or hide alerts, especially if they are designed to monitor input fields for sensitive data like seed phrases.
6. **Use Open-Source Extensions with Caution**: If an extension is open-source, verify that it has not been cloned with malicious modifications. Check for any reports of such modifications in the community.
7. **Stay Informed**: Keep an eye on security updates and alerts from reputable cybersecurity firms. This can help you identify malicious extensions early.
8. **Use WebAuthn and Security Extensions**: Use WebAuthn-compatible extensions or other security-focused add-ons that provide additional protection against phishing and data theft.
Cybersecurity firm SlowMist advises users not to rely solely on ratings or branding. In an attempt to gain legitimacy, the malicious actors posted fake five-star reviews. Such extensions should be treated as full-fledged software and undergo proper vetting.
This incident serves as a reminder of the need for increased security measures in the cryptocurrency ecosystem. Until Firefox improves its detection and code review to prevent fraudsters from taking advantage of users, it's essential for users to verify the publisher's identity to ensure the safety of extensions. Users are urged to exercise caution when installing browser extensions, especially those related to cryptocurrency.
1.To avoid falling victim to such cyberattacks, always scrutinize the source of your cryptocurrency-related Firefox extensions, ensuring they are downloaded from the official Mozilla Firefox Add-ons store.2. Cybersecurity firms recommend vigilance when evaluating reviews, as malicious extensions may utilize fake five-star ratings to deceive users.3. While technology advances, maintaining a critical approach towards open-source extensions is crucial to prevent cloned extensions with malicious modifications from compromising your financial data, such as your bitcoin wallet.
