Mozilla drops top security tools over snooping fears
Credit:
Tech Radar
Mozilla has removed four Firefox extensions created by Avast and its subsidiary AVG after receiving credible reports that the extensions had harvested user data as well as user's browsing histories.
The four extensions which have been removed are Avast Online Security, AVG Online Security, Avast SafePrice and AVG SafePrice. The first two display warnings when users navigate to known malicious or suspicious sites while the other two show price comparisons and deals for online shoppers.
The fact that the extensions were collecting much more data than required was discovered by AdBlock Plus' creator Wladimir Palant who sent a report to Mozilla informing the Firefox maker of his discovery.