Is Zen Search safe to use?

Zen Search has a security risk score of 31.44/100 (LOW risk). Our security analysis detected 10 findings. Review the detailed security assessment below to understand the specific risks before installation.

What are the security risks of Zen Search?

Based on our automated security analysis, Zen Search presents low risk level. The extension is analyzed for malware patterns, secret exposure, network communications, permissions, and supply chain vulnerabilities.

How is the security score calculated?

Risky Plugins calculates security scores using weighted categories: severity of findings (25 points max), malware detections (35 points), secret exposure (28 points), network communications (10 points), and obfuscation (10 points). Scores range from 0-100, with higher scores indicating greater risk.

What does CRITICAL, HIGH, MEDIUM, LOW, MINIMAL risk mean?

CRITICAL (80-100): Severe security issues like malware. HIGH (60-79): Significant vulnerabilities. MEDIUM (40-59): Moderate security concerns. LOW (20-39): Minor issues. MINIMAL (0-19): Very low risk. Always review findings before installing any extension.

Tracked campaign: SearchJack second wave

Our analysis confirmed the behaviour described in the threat library entry. Read the analysis and indicators →

Also reported by malext.io

Chrome Web Store

Zen Search

by [email protected] · 16 users

e5c3a496-e730-5d4d-a359-efcdb5f8bc14 | v1.2

LOW risk

+11 since v1.0

Threat verdict

Do not install

Confirmed member of a tracked malicious supply-chain campaign.

Analysis record

Analysed: 2 months ago
Version: v1.2
Artifact: SHA256 297…043
Source: Findings (non-IoC)

Evidence ledger

Ranked by severity · findings with a source location link to the code viewer

3 detail rows

YARA Rule Matches

2 rules

Severity	Rule	Hits	Files	Metadata
LOW	`postinstall crypto operations`	2	_metadata/verified_contents.jsonbackground.js	-
LOW	`postinstall system command`	1	popup.html	-

Show network indicators (7)

Publisher Evidence

Limited evidence

[email protected]

Publisher identity, store signals, distribution reach, and warning signals used for context. Treat this as supporting evidence, not a clean bill of health.

Chrome does not expose the same publisher verification data as IDE stores, so this score is deliberately conservative.

Noisy-finding weight

x1.00

Publisher domain

No domain

Missing

Store verification signal

Limited signal

Limited

Extension portfolio

Portfolio

12 evidence rows available.

Finding Categories

IoC Indicators

YARA Rules Matched

2 rules(3 hits)

postinstall crypto operations postinstall system command

Requested Permissions

1 permission

storage

Low

Security Analysis Summary

Security Analysis Overview

Zen Search is a Chrome Web Store extension published by [email protected]. Version 1.2 has been analyzed by the Risky Plugins security platform, receiving a risk score of 31.44/100 (LOW risk) based on 10 security findings.

Risk Assessment

This extension presents low security risk. Some minor findings were detected, but nothing that would prevent typical usage. Reviewing the detailed findings below is recommended before use in sensitive environments.

Findings Breakdown

Medium: 7 finding(s)
Low: 3 finding(s)

What Was Analyzed

The security assessment covers multiple analysis categories:

Malware Detection: YARA rule matching against 2,400+ malware signatures
Secret Detection: Scanning for exposed API keys, tokens, and credentials
Static Analysis: Code-level security analysis for common vulnerability patterns
Network Analysis: Detection of suspicious network communications and endpoints
Obfuscation Detection: Identification of code obfuscation techniques

Developer Information

Zen Search is published by [email protected] on the Chrome Web Store marketplace. The extension has approximately 16 users.

Recommendation

Exercise caution with this extension. Review the detailed findings and ensure the requested permissions align with the extension's stated functionality before installation.

Chrome version history

Risk trend by version

2 analyzed versions. Each point is the latest successful scan for that version; failed zero-score scans are hidden. Dates are based on first seen by risky plugins.

Selected

Change since first

+11

Change from previous

+11

Versions:

First analyzed version

1.0

Jun 10, 2026

Risk range

21 to 31

Across analyzed versions

Latest analyzed version

1.2

Aug 12, 2026

Selected version

low

Version

v1.2

2 months ago

Risk score

Findings

Change vs previous

+11

Pick any point on the chart to explore that version's code below.

Source Code Viewer

Source Code Not Available

Source code is not available for this version of the extension.

About This Extension

Zen Search provides a clean, simple, and distraction-free way to search the web. Designed with clarity and ease of use in mind, Zen Search helps you find information quickly through a streamlined search experience that keeps the focus on what matters most: your search. Simple and Efficient Search Zen Search uses Chrome's native search functionality to provide Yahoo-powered web search results directly from your browser. By setting Yahoo as your default search provider, Zen Search enables fast, convenient access to web search from the browser's address bar and other search entry points. Features 🔍 Yahoo-Powered Web Search Search the web quickly and efficiently using Yahoo-powered search results. ✨ Minimalist Design Enjoy a clean and distraction-free experience designed to help you stay focused. ⚡ Fast Access Perform searches directly from your browser's address bar and search entry points. Designed for Simplicity Zen Search is designed for users who appreciate simplicity, clarity, and efficiency. Whether you're working, studying, or simply browsing the web, Zen Search provides a streamlined experience that helps you search with ease and stay focused throughout your day.