Fake movie links storming the Chrome Web Store

[Len]

Google Chrome fans are being put on an alert about fake spam links that have started appearing on the Chrome Web Store.

Google Chrome fans need to be aware of fake ‘free movies’ links that are spamming the Chrome Web Store.

The Chrome Web Store is the place to go for Google Chrome users looking to download apps and extensions for the world’s most popular browser.

These extensions have a wide variety of uses, from being capable of blocking fake torrent links on The Pirate Bay to improving security.

The Chrome Web Store also has a section for themes which can be installed to change the appearance of the Chrome browser.

However, recently the theme section of the Chrome Web Store has started playing home to some fake updates for the market leading browser.

Unknown third parties have started using the Chrome Web Store to promote alleged ‘free movies’ link.

Each theme is dedicated to a recent blockbuster movie, with alleged downloads for films such as Avengers Infinity War, Black Panther and Ready Player One.

The themes promise access to a ‘full HD online 4K’ version of the movies, TorrentFreak reported.

However, when Google Chrome users download the theme it directs them to the Vioos.co platform.

This is a site that gives the impression it is a streaming portal but in fact provides nothing of use.

When visitors click on alleged videos displayed on Vioos.co it simply directs them to another site called Zumastar.

This asks Chrome users to “create a free account” which will let them “access unlimited downloads & streaming”.

TorrentFreak reported that some visits to Vioos.co also redirected visitors to EtnaMedia.net.

This is a domain that has been blocked by MalwareBytes due to suspected fraud.

Visitors to EtnaMedia.net have reported on online forums of having money taken from their credit cards when they didn’t expect that to be the case.

At the time of writing, the fake Chrome Web Store theme for Avengers Infinity War has been downloaded by 1,134 people.

While one Black Panther theme has been downloaded by 1,823 people.

In other Chrome news, Express.co.uk previously reported on an extension that can hide fake torrents available on The Pirate Bay.

A Reddit user has created a script to highlight – and hide – fake or fraudulent torrents on The Pirate Bay.

The Redditor, known as nicobelic, writes: “One of the things I've noticed after having to use Pirate Bay for a while, is the significant amount of fake torrents.

“For example if you browse the HD Movies section and sort by seeds, (depending on when their bot ran) you'll see a ton of untrusted torrents with an unrealistic amount of seeds.

“The script has a couple options to get rid of these.

“The default behaviour is to hide untrusted torrents (torrents without the little pink or green skulls) if they have more than 1000 seeds.”

Chrome users can download the extension for free on the Web Store.