👋 Welcome to This Week’s Issue
Every week in Unlocked, we shine a light on the latest cyber threats, emerging research, and real-world attacks that impact both individuals and enterprises. Our goal is simple: cut through the noise and give you practical insights you can actually use to stay safe online.
This week’s issue is brought to you by Jay Berning, Technical Project Manager at Everykey. With two decades of experience in product development and software engineering, Jay has a knack for bringing clarity to complex problems and guiding teams toward practical, real-world solutions. His background makes him uniquely qualified to explore this week’s topic — how attackers are exploiting something as common as browser extensions and autofill to launch invisible clickjacking attacks.
We’ll take a closer look at this newly uncovered vulnerability, why it matters for both everyday users and IT leaders, and most importantly, how you can stay one step ahead.
🚨 Clickjacking Discovery in Browser Extensions
Security researcher Marek Tóth recently uncovered a new zero-day vulnerability in browser extensions that has stirred up serious discussion across the security community. His research details a fresh take on DOM-based extension clickjacking — a clever attack that manipulates how extensions interact with webpages in order to trick users into giving up sensitive information.
What makes this discovery stand out isn’t just the technical ingenuity behind it, but also the fact that it targets tools millions of people use daily — like password managers with autofill features. These aren’t obscure technologies hidden deep inside IT infrastructure; they’re everyday productivity boosters that most of us trust without question.
The vulnerability is a reminder of just how quickly attackers adapt. Security controls that feel solid today can be subverted tomorrow. That’s why both developers building these tools and users relying on them must stay alert, aware, and prepared for the unexpected.
⚡ How Autofill Becomes a Target for Clickjacking
Autofill has quietly become one of the greatest conveniences in modern digital life. Whether it’s filling in your name and address on an order form or instantly logging you into your favorite site, autofill saves time, reduces friction, and makes the internet feel effortless.
But as with any convenience, attackers see an opportunity. Autofill can be manipulated in ways that aren’t obvious to the naked eye:
Disguised fields – A compromised site can secretly insert hidden fields into a form. When autofill runs, it releases credentials or personal information into places you never intended.
Clickjacking traps – Hackers overlay invisible frames or fake buttons so when you click (or when autofill acts), it triggers a hidden action instead of the legitimate one.
Trusted sites turned hostile – Attackers don’t always build malicious sites from scratch. Often, they hijack or compromise trusted domains and then quietly weaponize them to collect data in the background.
The danger here is subtle: what you see on your screen isn’t always what’s happening behind the scenes. You think you’re clicking a harmless “Submit” button — but in reality, you may be authorizing something entirely different.
🛡️ Protecting Against Clickjacking & Autofill Exploits
The good news is that you don’t have to choose between productivity and security. You can keep the benefits of autofill while minimizing the risks by layering in a few smart protections.
For everyday users:
🔒 Update your extensions – Fresh updates often patch known vulnerabilities and improve security checks.
⏸️ Add a speed bump – Enable a PIN, master password, or MFA step before autofill releases sensitive information. A tiny pause can block attackers from exploiting autofill in the background.
🌐 Browse smart – Stick with HTTPS connections, double-check URLs, and back away if a site feels “off” or behaves unusually.
👆 Hover before you click – Preview where a link leads before committing to a click. If the destination looks unrelated or suspicious, don’t follow it.
For IT teams & developers:
Audit how autofill logic works and understand exactly when extensions inject data into webpages.
Apply the principle of least privilege to browser extension permissions — only allow what’s necessary.
Include compromised but trusted domains as part of your threat modeling, since attackers often use legitimate sites as trojan horses.
📌 Quick Win: Take 30 seconds right now to turn on MFA, a master password, or a PIN for your autofill vault. It’s the fastest way to boost safety without slowing yourself down.
🎯 Why Clickjacking & Autofill Exploits Matter
Clickjacking isn’t a flashy ransomware attack. Autofill exploits aren’t a dramatic data breach splashed across headlines. But that’s exactly why they’re so dangerous — because they happen quietly, invisibly, and often go unnoticed until it’s too late.
These tactics highlight a broader truth: attackers thrive in the hidden corners of convenience. By taking advantage of the shortcuts we trust most, they turn time-saving features into backdoors.
That’s why small adjustments — like enabling a PIN for autofill or questioning a suspicious pop-up — aren’t just best practices. They’re frontline defenses against attacks designed to exploit our habits, assumptions, and the tools we trust.
🔄 Password Managers Respond to the Threat
The good news is that the security community isn’t standing still. Many major password managers have already moved quickly to address the risk of clickjacking and autofill exploits. Several providers are rolling out patches and updates designed to tighten the rules around when and how autofill occurs, making it harder for malicious overlays or disguised prompts to slip through.
If you rely on a password manager (and most security pros recommend you do), keeping your browser extension up to date is one of the most important steps you can take right now. Regular updates don’t just squash known bugs — they often include behind-the-scenes improvements that add new layers of defense against emerging threats.
👉 Bottom line: don’t ignore those update reminders. They’re one of the fastest, easiest ways to stay a step ahead of attackers.
💡 Unlocked Tip of the Week
If a site suddenly bombards you with pop-ups, cookie banners, or rushed permission requests, pause for a moment. These are classic red flags that something malicious may be hiding in plain sight. A little caution in those moments can save you from a hidden clickjacking trap.
Meet Jay Berning – Technical Project Management
With two decades of experience in product development and software engineering, Jay Berning brings a steady hand and a collaborative spirit to his role as Project Manager. He specializes in guiding complex projects from planning to delivery, ensuring teams stay aligned and focused on outcomes.
Jay thrives on bringing structure and clarity to fast-moving initiatives. He’s known for his ability to keep projects on track while fostering open communication across teams. Colleagues appreciate his approachable style, technical insight, and commitment to creating solutions that work in the real world.
When he’s not coordinating timelines and deliverables, Jay is passionate about continuous learning and refining processes that make teams stronger together.
✅ Wrapping Up
Clickjacking and autofill exploits show us one thing clearly: attackers don’t always need to break down the front door — they slip in through the features we trust the most. By adding small layers of friction and staying alert to red flags, you can keep convenience without sacrificing security.
Stay aware. Stay protected. And remember: a little caution goes a long way in keeping your digital life safe.
Till next time,