If you want to know how safe the extensions are for your browser, then this is exclusively for you. We all use browser extensions however we don’t know how safe is these extensions that we add. It is a fact that browser extensions are convenient, but they are dangerous as well. The extensions not only add useful features but are a severe threat to your privacy. So, you should know what a browser extension is and how extensions can be harmful.
We encourage you to read this until the end. So, that you are clear with the facts about the extension and how you can use it safely. Here you can check our recommended best google chrome extensions you can use.
What is a Browser Extension?
A browser extension is often regarded as a plugin that adds extra functionality to the browser. It is created using familiar web-based technologies like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. It can also take advantage of the same web APIs as JavaScript APIs.
This means that developers can make more complex and powerful extensions using web APIs. With the help of extensions, you can block ads, optimize memory usage, manage passwords, and more.
For example, many extensions block ads on your webpage so if you add the extension; you will not get unnecessary advertisements coming from any source. Extensions like translators are useful in translating one language to another. There are lots of extensions that you can use to enhance your browsing experience.
How Browser Extensions Can be Harmful?
Popular browsers like Chrome, Safari, and Opera support extensions. If you search, you will get a lot of extensions that are widely available and are very helpful. Almost everyone customizes their web browser using a lot of extensions. But these extensions can be useful as well as harmful to your system. You must be very careful while adding an extension to your browser.
Extensions can be malicious when you add extensions from a third-party website. Now you might be wondering how extensions are harmful. Well, when you download the extensions, you might be aware that you have to allow permissions.
There is no option to customize the permissions, when you click on the “Allow” button, the browser gives all the permissions that are required for that extension.
Even the most basic extension can read and change your data. So when you permit them, they have the power to do anything to your data virtually.
It can collect your data, like browsing history, save passwords, credit card information, and more. When you visit a website that needs your credentials, the extension can read the data.
How to Minimize the Risks of Browser Extensions
There are also lots of extensions that are safe to use. We cannot deny the fact that extensions are helpful to perform a specific task. Here we have mentioned some ways to minimize the risk to browser extensions.
1. Avoid Installing too Many Extensions
You should not install too many extensions, it does not only affect the performance of your computer. But also give some room to the hacker to get into your browser data.
Try to install only the requied extensions that you think are useful. Most web browsers come with customizable features and do not need additional extensions. Some popular extension features have become a part of the browser itself.
So, there is no need to install additional extensions that are currently not under development. It can expose you to the dangers of malicious extensions.
2. Install Extensions From Official Source Only
It is extremely important to install extensions from an official web store. Downloading extensions from any other third-party website is very harmful. So use the official website to download the extensions, for the Google Chrome browser you can use Chrome Web Store.
Nowadays every popular browse has there own web store. To ensure that there is no malicious thing involved and also provide some security. They periodically remove malicious extensions from their web store as well.
3. Give Close Attention to the Permissions
Every extension needs a certain leave of permission to work. If you look at the permissions carefully before installing the extension, then you can avoid a lot of uncertainty that can harm your system.
You will find all the permissions that are required for the extension and other information, in the extension’s description box.
4. Remove Unused Extensions
If there are some extensions in your browser that you don’t use, then simply uninstall them. Go through all the extensions that are no longer needed on the browser.
By deleting unnecessary extensions you can reduce the load on the browser and better performance. Here is our guide on how you can manage Google Chrome extensions.
Conclusion
That’s it, this is all about browser extensions and how browser extensions can be harmful. Here we also discuss some ways to minimize the risk of browser extensions. I hope this was helpful to you. If you liked the article then you can share it with your friends.
