LinkedIn is spying on you, according to a new 'BrowserGate' security report β€” scripts stealthily scan visitors' browsers for over 6,000 Chrome extensions and harvest hardware data

LinkedIn is spying on you, according to a new 'BrowserGate' security report β€” scripts stealthily scan visitors' browsers for over 6,000 Chrome extensions and harvest hardware data
πŸ’‘
Verdict: A new 'BrowserGate' security report reveals that LinkedIn uses stealthy scripts to scan visitors' browsers for thousands of Chrome extensions and secretly harvest hardware data.

LinkedIn

⚑ Quick Hits

  • LinkedIn scripts are reportedly scanning for over 6,000 specific Chrome extensions.
  • The platform is allegedly harvesting detailed user hardware data without explicit consent.
  • The 'BrowserGate' report highlights growing concerns over invasive background tracking on major social platforms.

Greetings, tech enthusiasts! The Tech Monk here, stepping away from the daily deals to bring you a critical update on your digital privacy. If you use the world's most popular professional networking site, you might want to pay close attention to what it is doing behind the scenes.

A startling new security report dubbed 'BrowserGate' has brought some deeply troubling allegations to light regarding LinkedIn and its background tracking practices.

The Silent Browser Scan

According to the report, LinkedIn is doing much more than just hosting your resume. The platform is reportedly deploying stealthy background scripts to scan visitors' web browsers. The target of this scan? A list of over 6,000 specific Google Chrome extensions. By identifying the exact tools and add-ons you have installed, the platform can build an incredibly detailed and intrusive profile of your browsing habits, security measures, and daily workflow.

Harvesting Hardware Data

Unfortunately, the snooping doesn't stop at your software. The 'BrowserGate' findings also indicate that LinkedIn's scripts are actively harvesting hardware data from its visitors. While device fingerprinting is a known tactic in the data brokerage and advertising world, the sheer scale and stealth of this specific operation are raising massive red flags among cybersecurity professionals.

The Tech Monk's Advice: It is more important than ever to stay vigilant about your online privacy. Consider utilizing strict anti-tracking browser extensions, browsing in hardened privacy modes, or using specialized browsers like Brave to restrict how much background script execution is allowed. Keep your data yours, and until next time, stay safe out there!


*Source Intel: Read Original*