Simon Willison (@[email protected])
fedi.simonwillison.net
It turns out Google Chrome ships a default, hidden extension that allows code on `*.google.com` access to private APIs, including your current CPU usage You can test it out by pasting the following into your Chrome DevTools console on any Google page: chrome.runtime.sendMessage( "nkeimhogjdpnpccoofpliimaahmaaome", { method: "cpu.getInfo" }, (response) => { console.log(JSON.stringify(response, null, 2)); }, ); More notes here: https://simonwillison.net/2024/Jul/9/hangout_servicesthunkjs/
      • Possibly linuxEnglish
        4•2 months ago

        I wouldn’t call Chromium malware. Anticompetitive yes but not malware

        • @[email protected]English
          5•2 months ago

          I mean…

          • It takes code from a remote source, compiles it into native machine code, and then executes said machine code.

          • It exposes hardware information, sensors, and system statistics to remote actors.

          • It can consume inordinate amounts of resources by mining for cryptocurrency in the background.

          • It keeps trying to get you to change system settings.

          • It’s hidden within the installers of other programs (thanks, Electron).

          Out of context, those sure make it sound like malware.

          • @[email protected]English
            4•2 months ago

            Too big to fail

            It’s like saying rich people is eccentric, but us poor can only aim for crazy