What does the Cog Rogue Browser Extension Do To Your Computer?

Cog is the name of a rogue browser extension that works as an adware application.

Adware and rogue extensions in general are classified as potentially unwanted software. In the case of the Cog extension, it will inject ads into pages you visit, either embedding them inside the page or displaying them as pop-ups while you browse pages that would not have those ads on them otherwise.

This sort of behavior is clearly undesirable, and it's made worse by the fact that adware often partners with rogue ad networks to deliver their content. This means the ads displayed by Cog and similar extensions may link to questionable online content, scam or phishing pages, untrustworthy websites, or other potentially unwanted app installers.

Similar extensions are often distributed using misleading pages and bad redirects, with the page asking the user to install the extension to "view the site". You should never install any extension that you did not obtain from a known legitimate website or from the web store for your respective browser.

Sticking to well-curated portals will significantly diminish the chances of getting rogue extensions inside your browser.