# Unlisted Chrome extensions with 13M+ installs are hijacking search queries

> **Open Intelligence Dossier** · First detected: 2026-10-30 01:40 UTC · Category: Technology

## Executive Summary
5 news sources are covering this Technology story right now — PULSE is tracking how fast it spreads.

## Intelligence Brief
"Unlisted Chrome extensions with 13M+ installs are hijacking search queries" is generating significant coverage in the Technology category, with 5 articles from 5 distinct sources tracked by PULSE so far.


Outlets currently covering the story include CyberInsider, GBHackers News, Digital Trends and BleepingComputer. PULSE measures a story's velocity from how quickly new articles appear and how many independent newsrooms join the coverage.


This brief was generated by PULSE's extractive engine from coverage metadata only. The latest headlines from every source are listed below; the velocity chart shows how the story is developing in real time.

## Multi-Source Evidence Table
| Source Outlet | Headline | Verification URL |
|---|---|---|
| CyberInsider | Microsoft finds 250 browser extensions linked to tracking campaign | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMibEFVX3lxTE9zYVgyc1d0S3FYaGU5WnZMc1BBOHZGYUFEQ2xzLWxlQ0tEOVdoQzlCT21fQmM5U0hkZTNrMGdrNkpvQkVDYkZIbUpEOFhXb3RXQWZUcG9wSXNLd3ZlVl9jMGxidmkxNFNRNnIxUw?oc=5) |
| GBHackers News | 319 Suspicious Chrome Extensions Hijack Default Search Settings Without Sensitive Permissions | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiX0FVX3lxTE5CcTBLdkNVbFZLSWhRRHVsaEJpT2lpYmJfaWJaWDJTMUJZTlhERG9QNmtaN3BYcmJ5c1ZlVHRNN3JkTlFSOHhrb0JtNldjeHBudENUeGsxeXQ4ZnBZTGVN0gFkQVVfeXFMTXpnb3VlWFBFZDhUZE0zRmhYbGhibGxGZGd5R2dEVFc2OWJoRTgzeG5aaS11NllUa25Hd2E0NXdUc2doMTRMOTdvTlRKckpqWVJFV0tTTUhwbTRiaWZmVWJIQl95Yg?oc=5) |
| Digital Trends | Your search engine could be hijacked by a Chrome extension that barely does anything | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiwwFBVV95cUxObnpjTC1TREgyYWRIY1JaYmQzbUZJQmVEekl1NkJYUUF2MWtuNlltak52T0xvclVSOEN4UDhrT0VJZjJZdmQ3Q0hjVGE3WUZUQkljUE5NM2xsWUdfQWxudDdWY2VBN3dNbWo2ODRMalhxamI1eWJFckJXX0FnUmtpT28tSzBsYncyZE9wcEVHUFJ5cFRBRHZIdkE3T3ZRek5WRVVGOVpCR0tkWlZHT21wYzRvOFNYYnBkNzBvbDVGN3AwUDQ?oc=5) |
| BleepingComputer | Chrome extensions with 13.4 million installs caught hijacking searches | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiuAFBVV95cUxNdjAxYWxocDVvNzdVV1NnV1p5enB1LVBMenJMeklMUHh6NUo3SXhsT2dUXzluOHFGeWZDeEpmaHIzeUUtclhQMmtuS1JNQzhTWGxseGdkbDlHdlc4ZUs0RmZpQzdqQnN5RDEzTW1GNWh0bXpEb09mczlnMjZUZXJDLWp3ZXdIOXp1bXNIaGNsQUhqVnRHZWJ1RWptVzhRUGMwalotSmZkSEx5NzJwUmNHVWdocjVNbTQt?oc=5) |
| Cybernews | Unlisted Chrome extensions with 13M+ installs are hijacking search queries | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMinAFBVV95cUxNWWN5ZE9fVGd5eks5ZUdWSnJ2X29tZWNBTGdrdWdNenZ0VThYczZBRUtOT1NmUkloZzdCRUlsbXFUTE5UdXk1LVNfbUQ2d09PaWk5bmN1dmlNNXlEdkg5YVVuLUhCWFRaUEFka1JLSm40Wm9mM1VZTzRhQ01ueks3WHYzUFFZOGEtTEpkc085bUNiVGI2cmYwZXZZcmM?oc=5) |

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*Canonical Source: https://pulse.byoviral.com/trend/2026-10-30/unlisted-chrome-extensions-with-13m-installs-are-hijacking-search-queries*