Introduction
Artificial Intelligence has become part of our everyday lives. We use AI to summarise articles, write emails, automate tasks, and even help with research. Because of this growing demand, AI-powered browser extensions have exploded in popularity. With a single click, you can install an AI assistant directly inside your browser and use it instantly—no separate tab, no switching, nothing complicated.
However, this convenience comes with a serious hidden threat. Although AI extensions feel harmless, many of them request extremely powerful permissions. These permissions give them access to your browsing activity, private information, login sessions, clipboard data, and even your screen. As a result, attackers are increasingly disguising malware as “AI productivity tools.”
In this blog, we’ll explore why AI browser extensions are becoming dangerous, how hackers abuse them, and what you can do to protect yourself. Even if you’re not technical, you’ll understand exactly how these extensions work and why they represent a new cybersecurity risk in 2025.
What Are AI Browser Extensions?
AI browser extensions are small add-ons that add artificial intelligence features directly to your Chrome, Edge, Firefox, or Brave browser. They allow you to use AI without visiting a website or opening an app.
Common examples include:
- AI writing assistants
- AI summarizers
- AI form fillers
- AI productivity boosters
- AI search helpers
- AI chat interfaces
- AI screenshot analyzers
Because these extensions need to “see” the content you’re working with, many of them request broad permissions.
Browser Extension
A little program that expands the capabilities of a browser. Information on the websites you visit can be read or changed by extensions.
Why AI Extensions Are Different:
AI extensions usually require broad access to analyze content, meaning they often request permissions like:
- Read and change all your data on all websites
- Access your clipboard
- Access your browsing history
- Run in the background
- Communicate with external servers
These permissions are extremely powerful—and extremely dangerous in the wrong hands.
How AI Browser Extensions Work
Understanding the inner workings of extensions helps you see why they are risky. AI extensions typically use three layers:
Background Scripts
These scripts run continuously, even when no tabs are open. They can:
- Monitor browsing activity
- Track websites you visit
- Communicate with external servers
- Run silently in the background
Content Scripts
These run inside the webpage and can:
- Read everything on the page
- Extract text
- Modify the page
- Capture keystrokes
External AI APIs
Most AI functions are processed on external servers—such as GPT models or cloud AI systems. That means data often leaves your browser and travels to a server somewhere else.
Why this matters:
If the extension or its developer is malicious—or compromised—your data can be accessed, stored, or misused without your knowledge.
Why AI Browser Extensions Are Growing So Fast
AI extensions are trending for several reasons:
- Instant convenience : Users don’t want to switch tabs to use AI.
- Minimal effort : Extensions require zero setup.
- Low developer barrier : Anyone with basic coding skills can build one.
- High user trust : People trust AI tools without thinking twice.
- Limited security checks : Browser stores do not deeply audit AI extensions.
As a result, attackers realised something important:
If you label malicious software as “AI,” millions of people will install it.
Why AI Browser Extensions Are Dangerous
AI extensions often appear harmless, but they can be extremely powerful. Here’s why they pose such a serious risk.
They Request Excessive Permissions
Many AI extensions ask for permissions like:
- Read and change all your data on all websites
- Access your clipboard
- Capture your screen
- Run in the background
- Read everything you type
These permissions allow the extension to:
- Read Passwords
- Scrape Banking Data
- View Your Emails
- Monitor Chats
- Copy Authentication Tokens
- Intercept Private Messages
Because the extension “needs AI input,” users assume these permissions are normal.
They Can Steal Authentication Tokens
Tokens are digital keys that keep you logged into services like:
- Gmail
- GitHub
- Cloud dashboards
If an extension steals these tokens, an attacker can log into your accounts even without your password.
They Can Act as Keyloggers
Because many extensions run inside webpages, they can capture everything typed into:
- Login forms
- Bank pages
- OTP fields
- Private chats
- Emails
This makes credential theft extremely easy.
They Can Modify Webpages Silently
A malicious AI extension can:
- Inject fake login popups
- Redirect you to phishing sites
- Replace real payment pages
- Alter transaction details
- Manipulate website content
As a result, hackers can carry out advanced phishing attacks without sending any visible emails or messages.
They Can Send Your Data to Unknown Servers
AI extensions frequently transfer data to external endpoints. This gives attackers an easy path to:
- Upload screenshots
- Extract text
- Capture clipboard content
- Track browsing behavior
- Store sensitive information
These requests often look like “AI processing,” so users don’t suspect anything.
AI Makes Data Harvesting Easier
AI models require context. That means extensions send:
- Page content
- Form data
- Messages
- Files
- Screenshots
Attackers use this as a perfect disguise. Instead of saying “we are collecting your data,” they say “we need your data to generate better AI responses.”
Fake AI Extensions Are Increasing Rapidly
Security researchers have discovered dozens of malicious browser extensions pretending to be:
- ChatGPT tools
- Google Gemini helpers
- Microsoft Copilot shortcuts
- AI summarizers
- AI productivity add-ons
A known case involved a fake ChatGPT Chrome extension stealing Facebook accounts.
Source (only outbound link): https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-7028
Developers Can Push Malicious Updates Later
An extension may start clean. It may even gain thousands of users. But after reaching popularity, the developer—or a hacker who hijacks the developer’s account—can push a new update that:
- Steals data
- Injects malware
- Hijacks tokens
- Starts spying on activity
Browsers automatically install extension updates without asking for permission.
This is one of the biggest dangers.
Real-World Examples
Fake ChatGPT Extension Hijacks 100,000+ Accounts
A malicious Chrome extension listed itself as a ChatGPT Helper. It harvested session cookies and allowed attackers to log into Facebook accounts without passwords.
AI Autofill Extension Stole Credit Card Info
Users installed an “AI form filler” to save time. Instead, it logged card numbers, expiry dates, and CVVs from checkout pages.
AI Screenshot Analyzer Sent Data to Russia
A screenshot AI tool uploaded every captured image—including banking pages and internal company dashboards—to a hidden server.
Productivity AI Tool Became Spyware After an Update
An extension initially used for task management later received an update that secretly tracked user activity across all tabs.
Impact on Businesses / Individuals
For Businesses
- stolen internal documents
- exposed employee accounts
- compromised cloud dashboards
- leaked customer databases
- unauthorized access to admin systems
- ransomware risks
- operational downtime
In many cases, employees install AI tools without permission, creating hidden entry points for attackers.
For Individuals
- stolen passwords
- hijacked social media accounts
- leaked conversations
- drained bank accounts
- identity theft
- exposed private documents
AI tools often feel trustworthy, which makes them even more dangerous.
Why These Attacks Are Hard To Detect
AI extension attacks operate quietly, which makes them extremely difficult to spot.
- They run inside the browser : Antivirus tools rarely detect them.
- Updates happen automatically : Users don’t notice malicious changes.
- They look like productivity tools : The “AI” label creates trust.
- Attackers hide behavior inside normal scripts : No obvious indicators appear in the UI.
- They blend with normal traffic : Data sent to AI APIs looks expected.
Because of this, attackers can operate for months without being discovered.
How To Protect Yourself
Install extensions only from trusted developers
Look for well-known companies and verified publishers.
Review permissions carefully
Avoid extensions requesting:
- Full data access
- Keylogging permissions
- Clipboard monitoring
- Screen capture
Unless absolutely necessary.
Limit extension access to certain websites
Chrome and Edge let you restrict extensions to specific sites.
Uninstall extensions you don’t use
Fewer extensions mean fewer risks.
Use a separate browser for sensitive work
Keep banking and company logins separate from AI-powered browsing.
Never install unknown AI extensions from ads or random links
Hackers often promote malicious extensions through ads claiming “FREE AI TOOL.”
For businesses—use strict extension policies
Deploy:
- Allowlists
- Centralized control
- Browser management policies
Employees should not install AI tools freely.
Conclusion
AI browser extensions offer incredible convenience, but they also introduce significant security risks when not used carefully. Many of these extensions require broad permissions that can expose personal and corporate data to attackers. Because extensions run inside the browser—one of the most sensitive parts of our digital world—they can quietly access nearly everything you see or type online.
As AI continues to grow, attackers will keep exploiting this trust to distribute malicious extensions disguised as helpful tools. Staying safe means being selective, cautious, and aware of what you install.
At eSHIELD IT Services, we help individuals and organizations stay informed about emerging cyber threats like rogue AI extensions. Awareness and good digital habits can prevent most extension-related breaches.
FAQ
Why are AI browser extensions risky?
They request powerful permissions that allow them to view or modify your data on every website.
Can AI extensions steal my passwords?
Yes, especially if they have access to webpage content or keystrokes.
Are all AI extensions unsafe?
No, but many collect more data than necessary.
How do hackers hide malware inside extensions?
They embed malicious code in background scripts or send hidden updates.
Can browsers detect malicious extensions?
Not reliably. Many dangerous extensions bypass security checks.
Should I avoid AI extensions entirely?
Not necessarily—just install only from trusted developers.
Can AI extensions send data to external servers?
Yes. Many require external processing.
How can I secure my browser?
Remove unused extensions, limit permissions, and avoid unknown AI tools.
Are fake AI extensions common?
Yes. Attackers frequently upload fake ChatGPT or Gemini extensions.
What’s the safest way to use AI?
Use official websites or apps instead of browser extensions.
