Google Chrome has disabled and removed the widely used Save Image as Type extension from the Chrome Web Store following reports that it may contain malicious behaviour.
The extension, which had over one million users, allowed people to quickly save images in formats like PNG, JPG and WebP. Many users discovered it had been disabled after seeing a browser warning, with the tool no longer available to install.
While Google has not yet provided a detailed explanation, early analysis from users suggests the issue may not be traditional malware but behaviour that interferes with browsing activity.
One Reddit user who analysed the extension’s activity described what they found: “I dumped the data the extension stored and found the sites it was accessing… It would load a site in that hidden iFrame with the affiliate code, and this would replace an existing one in your browser.”
Any alternative of this Extension "Save image as Type"
by u/tahsin_imtiaz in chrome
In simpler terms, the extension may have been intercepting shopping links on sites like Amazon and Best Buy and swapping in its own affiliate codes. That means it could quietly take commission credit for purchases users were already making, without their knowledge.
Another user described odd behaviour before the removal: “Visiting any link that wasn’t the main .com site… would always redirect back to the main page… It doesn’t happen in incognito mode.”
That detail matters. Extensions often lose access in incognito mode unless explicitly enabled, which can reveal when one is interfering with browsing behaviour.
If this description sounds familiar, it is because a similar controversy surrounded the Honey browser extension, with reports that it manipulated affiliate links while promoting itself as a savings tool.
Ogbonda Chivumnovu
The broader issue sits in a grey area between aggressive monetisation and outright malicious behaviour. While there is no clear indication that sensitive personal data was stolen, altering links without user consent crosses a line for many users, and for platforms like Chrome.
Google has not yet shared a detailed explanation. When it does, it may clarify whether this was treated as outright malware or behaviour that crossed Chrome’s policies. Either way, the removal shows how quickly a widely used tool can disappear once that line is crossed.
How to check if you were affected and protect yourself
If you have Save Image as Type installed on Google Chrome, take a few quick steps to stay safe. First, open chrome://extensions and make sure the extension is fully removed. Even if Chrome disabled it, it’s worth double-checking.
Next, clear your browsing data. Head to Settings → Privacy and Security → Clear browsing data, and remove cookies and cached files. This helps wipe any leftover tracking tied to the extension.
If you noticed odd behaviour, like redirects while browsing sites such as Amazon or Best Buy, that could be linked to the issue. It’s a sensible idea to quickly review your recent activity on those platforms just to be sure everything looks normal.
Finally, take a moment to review your other extensions. Remove anything you don’t use and be cautious when installing new ones. Even simple tools can have broad access to your browsing activity.
