How to be Wary of Malicious Browser Extensions

Extensions are small programs that complement your browsing experience. They assist you in different ways. There can be no denying the fact that they help you efficiently in your daily tasks, thus saving you a lot of time and energy. But each piece has two faces. In other words, not all browser extensions you download are necessarily safe. Some of them could be malicious and could hide two or three. So, how can a normal user know if this extension is downloadable safely and which one is not used?

Here are some tips to keep in mind when downloading extensions. Keep in mind the rules mentioned below when next downloading an extension. In addition, they do not only apply to Chrome, but to all applications where you import these browser extensions. Here are some of the best Firefox extensions for Android users that you should check. Anyway, let's see how we can discover and avoid malicious browser extensions.

Comments and ratings

It goes without saying that you only need to download browser extensions from reliable sources, such as Chrome Web Store. But this still does not guarantee that the browser will be secure. For the best idea, the reviews and evaluations section will certainly be useful. If not, go at least through recent reviews and a star to get an idea of ​​the bugs and security issues of the extension.

It really does not make any sense to contact the developer to ensure his security. Indeed, you will always get a well-mastered answer, in all heaps and praises. In addition, these browser extensions also offer many alternatives. So, if the required product is not up to par, head to its competitor, read his advice and, if all you need, try it.

Permissions for browser extensions

Before downloading extensions, it is always prudent to search for the requested permissions. Suppose you are about to download an extension for the dark mode. If you're asking permission to view, edit, and edit your Google Drive files, you should feel that something is wrong. You will find a separate section of the authorizations with its description and comments.

If this is not the case, when adding to Chrome, the browser will also inform you about permissions. Admittedly, it's a tedious job to go through all the permissions, but it's probably the best way to protect yourself from malicious extensions.

Limit the use of Navigator Extensions

The less, the better. Just remember this rule of gold and it could certainly help you. Do not always be tempted by these browser extensions. Try to minimize them as much as possible. Installing redundant extensions not only makes your Chrome browser slow and heavy (which is already known for its mega-memory), but you also risk adding malicious browser extensions. Until an extension is of paramount importance, avoid installing them.

And if you are a geek, then go ahead and read the source code of the extension. Most of these browser extensions are open source and their codes can be found on developer websites or on Github.

So this was the step to check for malicious browser extensions before downloading. Even if you have to sacrifice some features of the extension for the security of your account, do not think about it. With data compromise and leaks at an unprecedented level, it's vital to protect your personal data.

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