Adware is making a comback

Browser extensions are now being used by adware developers to inject ads into websites. Many Wikipedia users have been complaining of ads being displayed on its site, while Wikimedia has stated that they will not put up adds. Wikimedia is a non-profit and will never display ads on their site, so if you see them, you most likely have a bad browser extension.

Not only do these adware extensions cause annoying ads, some of them are even used for more sinister purposes. One extension mentioned by wikimedai called "IWantThis!" is spyware that is masquerading as adware. In its privacy policy it states:

Examples of the information we may collect and analyze when you use our website include the IP address used to connect your computer to the Internet; login; e-mail address; password; computer and connection information such as browser type, version, and time zone setting, browser plug-in types and versions, operating system, and platform; the full Uniform Resource Locator (URL) clickstream to, through, and from the Site, including date and time; cookie; web pages you viewed or searched for; and the phone number you used to call us.

Some of these extension may come bundled with freeware downloaded from other sites, and be installed involuntarily. Many of these extensions target Chrome as the go to browser, but are very capable of being installed on other browsers as well. Few antivirus software will actually scan or detect faulty or malicious browser extensions so it is up to you to keep yourself secure. Never install toolbars or extensions that promise "free cursors", "free games", etc. Regularly check through your extension/toolbars/addons and disable/remove those that you are not using or did not install. And, as always, do not download or install anything fishy.

Remember to post in the comments what you would like to see next.