In 2014, Google issued an update to Chrome preventing Windows users on the stable channel from installing extensions obtainednot outsidehosted at the [[Chrome Web Store]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://social.techcrunch.com/2014/05/27/chrome-for-windows-will-now-only-install-extensions-from-googles-web-store/|title=Chrome For Windows Will Now Only Install Extensions From Google’s Web Store|website=TechCrunch|language=en-US|access-date=2018-12-14}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=https://chrome.googleblog.com/2014/05/protecting-chrome-users-from-malicious.html|title=Protecting Chrome users from malicious extensions|website=Google Chrome Blog|language=en|access-date=2018-12-14}}</ref> The following year Google reported a "75% drop in customer support help requests for uninstalling unwanted extensions" which led them to to expand this restriction to all Windows and Mac users.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://blog.chromium.org/2015/05/continuing-to-protect-chrome-users-from.html|title=Continuing to protect Chrome users from malicious extensions|website=Chromium Blog|language=en|access-date=2018-12-15}}</ref>
Still,Inline manyinstalls maliciouswas ora deceptivemethod allowing extensions havehosted bypassedon Google'sthe reviewChrome Web Store to also be installed at a developers website for the sake of proceduresconvenience.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://wwwdeveloper.ghackschrome.net/2018/01com/16/security-firm-icebrg-uncovers-4-malicious-chrome-extensionswebstore/inline_installation|title=Security firm ICEBRGUsing uncoversInline 4 malicious Chrome extensionsInstallation - gHacksGoogle Tech NewsChrome|website=wwwdeveloper.ghackschrome.netcom|access-date=2018-12-1514}}</ref> But this became a malware vector, so it was removed as part of the Chrome 71 release in December 2018.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://wwwblog.ghackschromium.netorg/2018/0506/11/googlesimproving-badextension-tracktransparency-record-of-malicious-chrome-extensions-continues/for.html|title=Google'sImproving badextension tracktransparency recordfor of malicious Chrome extensions continues - gHacks Tech Newsusers|website=www.ghacks.netChromium Blog|language=en|access-date=2018-12-15}}</ref>
Inline[[Malware]] installs wasremains a methodproblem foron extensionthe developersChrome toWeb advertiseStore, theirso extensions published in theusers extensionshould storesbe on their own websitescautious.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://developerwww.chromeghacks.comnet/webstore2018/01/16/security-firm-icebrg-uncovers-4-malicious-chrome-extensions/inline_installation|title=UsingSecurity Inlinefirm InstallationICEBRG -uncovers Google4 malicious Chrome extensions - gHacks Tech News|website=developerwww.chromeghacks.comnet|access-date=2018-12-1415}}</ref> This method was a frequent malware vector, so it was removed as part of the Chrome 71 release in December 2018.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://blogwww.chromiumghacks.orgnet/2018/0605/improving11/googles-extensionbad-transparencytrack-for.htmlrecord-of-malicious-chrome-extensions-continues/|title=ImprovingGoogle's extensionbad transparencytrack forrecord usersof malicious Chrome extensions continues - gHacks Tech News|website=Chromium Blog|language=enwww.ghacks.net|access-date=2018-12-15}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/chrome-extension-devs-use-sneaky-landing-pages-after-google-bans-inline-installs/|title=Chrome Extension Devs Use Sneaky Landing Pages after Google Bans Inline Installs|website=BleepingComputer|language=en-us|access-date=2018-12-15}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ghacks.net/2018/10/11/chrome-inline-extensions-install-bypass/|title=Chrome's inline extension install ban already bypassed - gHacks Tech News|website=www.ghacks.net|access-date=2018-12-15}}</ref>