Chrome extensions are a great way to expand the capabilities of your browser. But unfortunately not all extensions can be trusted. If you’re not careful, you’ll get malware. How do you know if add-ons for your browser are safe to install?
Google seems aware that the quality and security of many Chrome extensions leave something to be desired. That is why the tech giant wants to provide more clarity about this by means of two badges, with which you can see whether the extension and the developer have been verified by Google.
Recommended extensions
Do you have in the Chrome Web Store found an extension that you want to download, you can add the badge under the name of the tool Recommended to see. This means that the app follows the recommended guidelines for Chrome extensions.
Each extension that carries this badge has been individually assessed by the Chrome team, looking in particular at how the tool handles user privacy and whether the information provided is clear and transparent. And not to forget: whether the extension actually works as you would expect.
A second way to tell if you are dealing with a safe extension is to check the developer name. This is similar to the check mark on Twitter: it has been verified that the tool was actually developed by the owner of the listed website. In addition, it is a publisher that, according to Google, has a good reputation, with no “history of violations”.
It will take a few months for new developers to be verified by Google as a trusted party. Google says 75% of all extensions in the Chrome Web Store come from verified developers.
Also read: These are the 25 best Chrome extensions
Self check
The two badges are a good way to tell if you’re dealing with a secure extension. However, it is important to stay sharp yourself. Therefore, always read the description with the extension and assess whether it makes sense for an app to want access to, for example, your camera or microphone.
Also, don’t forget to read reviews from other users. You will immediately see a rating for the extension in question in the Chrome Web Store, but you can also search Google for other experiences.
Were the comments about an extension posted recently or are they from several years ago? This may indicate that the extension is now obsolete and will no longer be updated. This leads to security risks.
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