Critical Privacy Alert: What You Need to Know Before Installing Chrome VPN Extensions

When learning how to use VPN in Chrome safely, it’s crucial to understand the risks lurking in seemingly legitimate add-ons. A troubling discovery revealed that many users unknowingly downloaded a deceptive tool that compromised their digital privacy.

The Hidden Threat in Your Browser

Millions of Chrome users were at risk after installing what appeared to be a trustworthy security tool. The Urban VPN Proxy extension, which accumulated approximately 6 million downloads and even earned a ‘recommended’ badge on the Chrome Web Store, was secretly intercepting conversations. Users communicating with AI platforms including ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, DeepSeek, and Grok had their discussions monitored and recorded without consent.

The sophisticated scheme operated continuously, capturing data regardless of whether the VPN function was actually enabled. This collected information was then transferred to BiScience, an affiliated entity, for commercial exploitation—meaning your private conversations with AI systems could be monetized.

How This Affects Your Digital Safety

The implications are significant for anyone considering how to use VPN in Chrome. Rather than protecting your privacy as advertised, certain extensions actively betray it. The extension maintained access to sensitive communications, creating a backdoor for corporate data harvesting.

Response and Recommendations

Security researchers including Idan Dardekhman sounded the alarm, prompting the Chrome Web Store to delist the problematic extension on December 19, 2025. However, the damage had already occurred for millions of active users.

To protect yourself when figuring out how to use VPN in Chrome:

• Immediately remove suspicious or unfamiliar VPN extensions
• Review the permission logs of all installed add-ons—be wary of anything requesting unusual access
• Read privacy policies thoroughly before installation, not after
• Check user reviews and ratings carefully; look for complaints about data collection
• Consider official VPN providers with established reputations and transparent privacy practices

The Urban VPN Proxy incident serves as a stark reminder that convenience and credibility badges don’t always guarantee security. Vigilance and informed choices are your best defense when selecting tools to enhance your Chrome browsing experience.