Batu69 Posted May 30, 2016 Share Posted May 30, 2016 Extension starts injecting ads in Google search results Imgur Uploader Chrome extension Chrome users are complaining about an extension named Imgur Uploader, which they say has started injecting ads on various Web pages after a recent update. The extension is one of the two most popular Chrome add-ons for automatically uploading images to the Imgur image hosting service. According to its Web Store page statistics, the extension has over 17,500 users. Extension started injecting ads after an update last week In the past three days, several users have complained about how the extension loads three scripts. The first two gather data about the user, while the third sends it to various ad companies, and then injects ads into the current page the user is navigating. http://connectionstrenth.com/addons/lnkr5.min.js http://connectionstrenth.com/addons/lnkr40_drct.min.js s3.amazonaws.com/jscache/72d07657ba1ad678d2.js The extension's Chrome Web Store page has already started filling with negative reviews, and some users have already reported it to Google's security staff. Navigating the reviews section, it will take you a few pages to get to a positive review. The extension's author name is ok.ru, which is the URL for Odnoklassniki (Classmates), a Russian-based social network, one of Alexa's Top 100 websites. It is unclear if a developer has used this name without permission, or if the extension is offered officially by Odnoklassniki. All clues lead to a botched update The extension injects ads by mentioning "Search Enhanced Results by Not set [x]". At the end of the third JavaScript file mentioned above, there is a block of JavaScript code that prints out the following message in HTML, inside a modal: Quote “ [Parameter loading extension's name -> Imgur Uploader]'s development is supported by optional advertisements that are added to some of the websites you visit. During the development of this extension, I've put in thousands of hours adding features, fixing bugs and making things betternot mentioning the support of all the users who ask for help. Ads support most of the internet we all use and love; without them, the internet we have today would simply not exist. Similarly, without revenue, this extension (and the upcoming new ones) would not be possible. You can disable these ads now or later in the settings page. You can also minimize the ads appearance by clicking on partial support button. Both of these options are available by clicking 'x' button in the corner of each ad. In both cases,your choice will remain in effect unless you reinstall or reset the extension. ” The functionality mentioned in this message does not exist in the extension's settings section. If we take into account the "Not set" parameter mentioned before, it appears this was a botched extension update. The author may have wanted to warn users about the ads they were seeing and offer them a way to turn them off, but now the extension has unfortunately fallen into the adware category. Furthermore, Google may not look kindly on an extension that messes with its search results, even if the "disable" option would have been working, so the extension might have been removed either way, regardless of the developer's message. Ads injected in Google search results Disclaimer code at the end of one of the rogue JS files Article source Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vibranium Posted May 30, 2016 Share Posted May 30, 2016 1. Not an official imgur extension. 2. Botched update, as shown. Users beware. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrator DKT27 Posted May 30, 2016 Administrator Share Posted May 30, 2016 Here is a conversation I had with one of the Imgur staff: Quote Hello. I use an Firefox addon called Imgur Uploader. This addon seems to be officially mentioned on your Imgur Tools page: https://imgur.com/tools However, clicking on it's link on that page, Firefox addons seems to have removed the addon. While the addon works fine is already installed, there no way to find it on official Firefox addon page. So I request you guys to either remove that addon from your tools page or make another addon but officially. Alternatively, you can recommend this addon on your tools page instead: https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/rehost-image/ However, it also uploads to ImageShack so you guys may not like it. A Firefox addon is a much required and useful addon, something even more users should have access to. Expecting something to be done by you guys. Their reply: Quote Hi there, Thanks for writing. We no longer support the Firefox addon. We no longer update the tools page either, I'll talk to the devs and see why that's still live. Thanks for letting us know about this! Let me know i you have any further questions; I'd be happy to help. Best, Sara Support Specialist, Imgur Take the joy of Imgur with you wherever you go with the Imgur apps. http://imgur.com/apps http://i.imgur.com/hjXC0UA.gif In short, Imgur themselves do not like these type of extentions. For Firefox, I recommend Rehost Image, to use on the forums. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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