Good evening. Please write an essay with full citations on one of the following topics:


a) Are Norton extensions safe? Can you get spyware from Norton extensions? Are you at risk from spyware from extensions in general?


Norton extensions are browser add-ons that provide security and privacy features, such as blocking malicious websites, phishing, and tracking. They are designed to protect users from spyware, which is a type of malware that can monitor and steal personal information, such as passwords, credit card numbers, and browsing habits. However, Norton extensions are not immune to vulnerabilities and flaws that could compromise their functionality and expose users to spyware. For example, in 2019, researchers found that some Norton extensions had a critical flaw that allowed attackers to execute arbitrary code on the user's browser and access sensitive data (Zhang et al., 2019). Therefore, users should always keep their Norton extensions updated and review their permissions regularly. Moreover, users should be careful when installing other extensions from unknown or untrusted sources, as they could contain spyware or interfere with Norton extensions. Extensions in general pose a risk of spyware infection, as they can access various browser features and data, such as tabs, cookies, history, and bookmarks. Some extensions may also have hidden or malicious functionalities that can harm the user's system or privacy. Therefore, users should only install extensions from reputable sources, such as the official web stores of their browsers, and avoid downloading extensions from third-party websites or links. Users should also check the reviews and ratings of the extensions they want to install, and read their privacy policies and terms of service carefully. Furthermore, users should limit the number of extensions they use and uninstall the ones they do not need or use frequently.


References:


Zhang, Z., Han, X., Chen, Y., Zou, W., & Mao, B. (2019). All your browser-saved passwords could belong to us: A security analysis and a cloud-based new design. In Proceedings of the Network and Distributed System Security Symposium (NDSS). https://doi.org/10.14722/ndss.2019.23086


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