METAMASK

DESCRIPTION OF EVENTS

MetaMask is a "crypto wallet & gateway to blockchain apps. Start exploring blockchain applications in seconds. Trusted by over 21 million users worldwide." "Available as a browser extension and as a mobile app, MetaMask equips you with a key vault, secure login, token wallet, and token exchange—everything you need to manage your digital assets."

"In July [of 2018], Google developers pulled the app from Google Play altogether, leaving only fake impersonations." "MetaMask was pulled from the Google Chrome Web Store, it announced in a tweet Wednesday, July 25."

"PSA: MetaMask has been delisted from the Chrome Web Store. We are unsure of why this is the case and we will update everyone as we get more information. All other browsers are unaffected."

"While @googlechrome has taken MetaMask down from their @ChromeDev store without notice or explanation, users can still install MetaMask manually on Chrome by following this guide. Note: @brave, @firefox, and @opera stores are all working fine!"

"The company stated that users who already have the extension installed on their Chrome browsers “should be unaffected” in the short term, but new installs would be unavailable for some time."

"If you already have the Chrome extension installed, you should be unaffected in the short term and your extension should work (knocks on wood). We hope to resolve this quickly, but future installs are still available on @brave, @firefox, and @opera."

"While the app was delisted, Augur, an Ethereum-based prediction market protocol, tweeted a warning to its users to not download the MetaMask extension that was actually present in Google Chrome’s store, as it was a fake, phishing application."

"The @metamask_io currently listed in the @googlechrome app store is a fake, phishing app. Do NOT download. The real MetaMask extension has been removed this morning without explanation. Follow @metamask_io for updates."

"A subsequent report from MetaMask revealed the [removal] action had occurred by mistake."

"The app has since been listed again, the company confirmed in a post five hours later."

"PSA2: We are back on the chrome webstore. Stay tuned for a formal retrospective from the team."

The MetaMask extension was pulled from the Google Chrome web store by mistake, which also listed multiple fake versions of MetaMask. While there is a strong possibility that users may have downloaded one of the fake versions during this time, there are no specific reports of any lost funds. The proper MetaMask extension was restored roughly 5 hours later.

Fake MetaMask Crypto Malware Pulled From Google Play After Tipoff (Mar 6)
MetaMask Browser Extension Pulled From Google Chrome Store for 5 Hours, ‘Unsure’ of Cause (Mar 15)
@MetaMask Twitter (Mar 15)
@MetaMask Twitter (Mar 16)
@AugurProject Twitter (Mar 16)
@MetaMask Twitter (Mar 16)

More case studies

KICKICO
Security Breach

Sparkster
ICO Phishing