People have begun to pay more attention to online safety precautions as online security has become the number one issue on the internet these days. The usage of browser extensions for cybersecurity is one of the safety steps you should not overlook. Some browser extensions might expose your system to vulnerabilities, which is why we advise against using unapproved Chrome add-ons.
Download only official extensions that will not track your data or internet activity. Some browser extensions might help you improve your online security. In this article, we discussed the best Chrome extensions for cybersecurity since Chrome is the most popular browser on the market with the most sophisticated security features. The following is a list of the best extensions you should get.
HTTPS Everywhere
HTTPS Everywhere, Privacy Badger, and uBlock Origin, the top three browser extensions on our list, have long been recommended by CNET reviewers.
Through a collaboration between the Electronic Frontier Foundation and the TOR Project, the HTTPS Everywhere add-on is now accessible. Several websites presently employ secure connections, but some do not, leaving users susceptible to risks such as malware being transferred to their devices. HTTPS Everywhere checks to determine if an unprotected website supports a secure connection when you visit it. If a connection is available, the add-on pushes the site to use it.
Privacy Badger
This is another EFF extension. Privacy Badger prevents advertisers and third-party trackers from tracking where you go on the internet, and it inhibits advertisers from loading material in your browser if it believes they are following you without your consent. The addon also includes a colour-coded guide that tells you which sites are safe and which aren’t.
Except for Safari, most web browsers support Privacy Badger.
uBlock Origin
On the surface, uBlock Origin appears to be just another ad blocker, but it also uses a community-generated list to block third-party trackers and URLs suspected to be malware sources. This plugin also includes a WebRTC blocking feature, which ensures your IP address is adequately disguised if you use a VPN, which you should.
Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, Firefox, Opera, and Safari all have uBlock Origin installed.
Malwarebytes Browser Guard
Malwarebytes Browser Guard protects your data from malware-infected websites by blocking trackers and other risks. It also protects you from technical support scams, such as when a Microsoft “expert” phones or texts you to say they have found a virus on your computer and can remove it for a charge, and virtual credit card skimmers, which steal your credit card information when you make an online purchase. The add-on also prevents pop-ups, which speeds up the loading of online sites.
Malwarebytes Browser Guard has a 4 out of 5-star rating and over 9 million users, however, we have not tested it. Many users found it beneficial, however, others discovered that it damaged certain websites or missed some trackers. Before deciding to utilise Malwarebyte Browser Guard, we recommend thoroughly researching it.
Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, Firefox, and Safari are all supported by Malwarebytes Browser Guard.
Avira Browser Safety
Avira, a security software company, provides the Avira Browser Safety extension. It can protect you against infected advertising, unwanted apps concealed in downloads, and harmful websites that may show in search results. The business also claims that the plugin can help prevent browser hijacking, which occurs when malicious software changes a web browser’s settings without authorization, making it simpler to inject unwanted adverts.
We have not tried Avira Browser Guard, however, it boasts over six million users and a rating of at least four out of five stars. While many users found it useful, some had difficulty accessing Google Docs using the plugin. Before deciding to use Avira Browser Guard, we recommend thoroughly researching it.
ClearURLs
Have you ever pondered what are those weird letters, numbers, and symbols in a lengthy URL mean? Some of that drivel is most likely a web tracker. Companies utilise a number of methods to gather data about you based on the websites you visit, including installing cookies on your browser and monitoring sites that use share buttons linked to social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter. ClearURLs cleans up the URL by removing the web tracker. ClearURLs make it impossible for a site like Google to re-insert the tracking element into the URL. The addon generates a report that shows the number of components that have been blocked. This plugin makes it much easy to share URLs with friends and family.
We have not tried ClearURLs, but while the extension has at least 200,000 users and a 4 out of 5-star rating, some users have complained about not being able to whitelist sites or define custom restrictions. Before deciding to utilise ClearURLs, we recommend giving it a thorough examination.
For Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, and Firefox, ClearURLs is accessible for free.
Conclusion:
While many cybersecurity experts and enthusiasts advise against using Chrome extensions. It is critical to understand how to discern between safe and malicious extensions. To improve online security, add-ons like Blur, SiteJabber, and Avast Online Antivirus were built. As a result, they are completely secure and risk-free to use. However, you should avoid using unapproved extensions and make sure to update your add-on regularly.
Make careful to remove any addons you are not using because they just add to your browser’s susceptibility. Start following the NIST cybersecurity framework’s principles if you want to increase your internet security even further. When it comes to developing safety measures to avoid, detect, and recover from cyberattacks, this framework will point you on the correct route. Please let us know if you have any experience with the three extensions we listed above.