Google Chrome has blocked users from installing the popular extension, The Great Suspender following unconfirmed reports that it had been used to steal login credentials.

The browser extension has been removed from Chrome Web Store and remotely disabled on all devices that had previously installed it. 

Google has yet to comment on the infected code but has issued a pop-up warning to its users that the extension “has been disabled because it contains malware”. 

The Great Suspender is a popular extension used by Chrome users that places tabs on standby whilst they are not being used.

According to unconfirmed Reddit users, the code contained malware that could have been used to steal users’ passwords. 

The incident follows a similar warning issued by Google to Chrome users earlier this week after the company was forced to update its Chrome browser to fix a vulnerability that was being exploited by cybercriminals. 

The company stated in relation to its update: 

“Google is aware of reports that an exploit for CVE-2021-21148 exists in the wild. We would also like to thank all security researchers that worked with us during the development cycle to prevent security bugs from ever reaching the stable channel.”