NDPC Warns Nigerians of Critical Google Chrome Vulnerabilities

The Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) has issued a security advisory warning citizens about multiple critical vulnerabilities discovered in the Google Chrome browser.

According to the Commission, these flaws could allow cybercriminals to run malicious code on users’ systems, potentially granting them full control over personal data and devices.

“Multiple vulnerabilities have been discovered in Google Chrome. The most severe of these could allow an attacker to execute arbitrary code on a user’s system,” the NDPC stated on its official X handle.

Why It Matters

These vulnerabilities, essentially holes in Chrome’s code, create opportunities for attackers to bypass security protections. If left unpatched, cybercriminals could:

• Install harmful software without user consent.
• View, delete, or alter sensitive data such as personal documents, photos, and financial records.
• Create new administrator accounts, giving them unrestricted access to devices.

The potential consequences include identity theft, financial loss, and complete system compromise.

How to Stay Safe

The NDPC outlined three immediate steps for Nigerians to protect themselves:

1.     Update Chrome: Open Chrome ? menu (three dots) ? Help ? About Google Chrome. The browser will automatically update. Restart after installation.

2.     Limit Permissions: Use standard (non-admin) accounts for daily tasks to reduce the scope of damage if hacked.

3.     Be Vigilant: Avoid suspicious links, unsolicited attachments, and unverified websites. Many exploits are paired with phishing attempts.

Wider Cybersecurity Push

The advisory fits into Nigeria’s broader campaign to strengthen data security. Similar alerts have been issued by the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) in recent years.

Past threats have included:

• A “type confusion” flaw in Chrome’s V8 JavaScript engine, allowing attacks via malicious websites.
• “Use-After-Free” vulnerabilities, which attackers exploited to crash systems and execute harmful code.

NDPC National Commissioner Dr. Vincent Olatunji recently revealed that the Commission is investigating 17 major data breaches across finance, tech, education, logistics, and lottery sectors, based on over 1,000 complaints.

This, the NDPC said, highlights a systemic issue with data security in Nigeria — making its ongoing campaigns crucial for safeguarding citizens in the digital age.