Stay Safe While Installing Online Browser Extensions Or Addons

Hello friends, welcome again to the new post of HkGoodKh. Here, our commitment is to give good online content which could prove fruitful.

Friends, we do hope that you liked reading our previous post. In that, we told you about the threats associated with the browser extensions also known as "Add-ons". By reading, you must have comprehended the dangers.

In this post, we would go one step further. We would provide tips to protect against bad or rogue add-ons. We would enlist precautions you must follow before installing an extension. 

By following these online safety tips, you could thwart any attack of rogue extension.

So let's get going.

Enable 2 Factor Authentication

Yes - HkGoodKh believes this is the best security tip for any day. It is like a locker within the locker with the keys of the innermost locker with you. Even if a thief gets hold of your outer locker, he would be unable to steal your precious items. Reason being: all the items are in the innermost locker. And that key is with you.

The same logic applies in case of a bad add-on. Even if he has access to your password, 2 FA would prevent access to your account data. It acts as a deterrent.

Also, go for a strong password for your online account. Hope you got our point.

FAKE ADDON MAY SHOW SIGNS OF BEING FAKE

Friends, fake Adblock plus was very similar to the original. But still, it gave users signs that it was fake. The fake Adblock plus was called "AdBlock Plus". Note the capitalized 'B'. It is an error.

The only other difference was fake Adblock plus got classification under App category. To appear real, the fake one spammed keywords.

Also, it did a contrary job of opening ads.

So friends, if you suspect an add-on, closely observe it. 

Compare with the original. If it increases tabs or ads, do not think twice and just uninstall it. Your job is done. You are in the safe zone.

INSTALL LEAST EXTENSIONS AND IF YOU CAN DO AWAY WITHOUT THEM GO FOR IT

HkGoodKh highly recommends this tip to be on the safe side. Additionally, we suggest if an extension does not work as per expectation just uninstall it. This would surely minimize the risk.

ONLY GO FOR EXTENSIONS DEVELOPED BY TRUSTED COMPANY

Yup, that's the right thing to do. Like Google, they develop the official Gmail Notifier. And, you can always trust them to never sell it to just any company for the sake of a few thousand bucks.

GO ONLY FOR ADD-ONS WITH GOOD RATINGS

Definitely, addon with excellent ratings has something special in them to win user trust. So check them. Also avoid unrated, low rated and unsigned addons.

ALWAYS READ THE EXTENSION REVIEW

Yes, because reviews may indicate that the extension might be suspicious.

CHECK THE SOURCE OF ADDON

This is one of the best methods to check for third-party content. Do this before installing an extension. For this, you can utilize the power of "Chrome Extension Source Viewer". 

In the main toolbar, it would show a button. Just click it and the source code would be right in front of you. You can also download it as a zip file to analyze the addon locally. 

You can also use the filter by type option. For instance, choosing image would straight away display the code.

But friends, this works only if you can read the code. If you can't, unfortunately, you would not get any good out of this.

USE VIRTUAL KEYBOARD FOR ENTERING PERSONAL INFORMATION AND BANKING SITES

DISABLE AUTO UPDATE

Why! because even a good addon may become a malware if it auto updates.

DO READ THE PRIVACY POLICY, TERMS AND CONDITIONS AND FAQ SECTION OF EACH BROWSER EXTENSION BEFORE INSTALLATION

Well, who knows it might give you a clue whether to trust an addon. Addon with ambiguous policy terms and likewise might be untrusted.

TRY YOUR HANDS ONLY ON ADD-ONS HAVING LOT OF USERS

A lot of users often indicate that the product can be trusted. So, do check it.

TRY TO PAY ATTENTION TO THE PERMISSIONS REQUIRED BY AN EXTENSION BEFORE INSTALLING.

Well, while you cannot always determine whether an addon requires the permissions it requests, it makes sense to check them. Especially, if an extension requests entire data on computer and websites.

DO NOT ENABLE ANY EXTENSION IN INCOGNITO WINDOW AND OPEN ALL SECURE LINKS AND BANK SITES IN INCOGNITO WINDOW

GO FOR SECURE BROWSER

HkGoodKh recommends using Firefox or Chrome. These have excellent security tools. The online store regularly checks the extensions to offer you the best experience.

ALWAYS CHECK THE COMPANY WEBSITE ASSOCIATED WITH ADDON

Yes, we emphasize this even if you reinstall the same extension. As in the case of Adblock Plus, the real website is adblockplus.org. Also, Google did not develop the fake version extension. If the user had checked the website before installing the fake extension, guess what! out of 10 times, he would have chosen NOT TO INSTALL it 9 times.

So friends, by now you must have got what it takes to stay secure while installing browser add-ons. Do apply these online safety tips. Your comments are eagerly awaited.