The number of extensions that currently exist for the Google Chrome web browser is enormous and generally all are legitimate and do not pose a risk to the user. Google Chrome has an official store (Chrome Store) through which you can install the desired extensions, having a minimum of security since Google performs a control over the extensions offered through said store.
Related: How to see a specific day in Google Chrome History.
However, it should be noted that not all extensions installed from the Chrome Store have the same level of security, in addition if we add to this that the Google Chrome browser also allows the installation of external extensions and that they lack control by Google. This means that your privacy and security could be at risk every time you use the browser.
In the case of installing an insecure extension in Google Chrome, it may lead to data loss or theft. For example, if we make a purchase on the internet, making use of our credit card, it can cause these extensions to steal your credit card data and send it to a server or hacker who can make use of it.
However, it should be noted that these tend to be exceptions (due to the great security measures) since in most cases the danger is more related to privacy, that is, user monitoring for advertising purposes. Many non-secure extensions track user activity in order to sell this information to advertising services to later offer you personalized ads.
But the million dollar question is, how can I identify Chrome extensions that put my security or privacy at risk? Well, there is an extension which analyzes all the other extensions installed in your browser and will show you a report in which the security level of each of them is identified and therefore take an action in this regard, such as deactivation or uninstall.
Below we show you how to identify which extensions of your Google Chrome browser put your privacy or security at risk:
How to know which extensions installed in your Google Chrome Web browser can be dangerous for privacy and security.
– The first thing we will have to do is install the free and secure extension: Extension Police, from the official Chrome store.
– Once installed you will only have to click on the icon of said extension from the upper right part of the Google Chrome interface.
– This will show a menu that shows a list of all the extensions installed in your Chrome browser. Next to each of them a rating will be displayed: Safe, Medium Risk, High Potential Risk and Dangerous
– To access a greater number of details about the classification, we will have to click on the extension and the permissions granted to this extension will be displayed as well as the reason why it is classified in this way.
– Here you can disable any of the extensions shown by simply clicking on the icon in the form of a switch displayed next to each of the extensions.
Important Note: It should be noted that on many occasions, extensions marked as dangerous are due to the amount and type of permissions granted. In this case, perhaps the best way to act would be to deactivate said extension and activate it only when you are going to use it.
The permissions determine the level of risk that the program grants to each extension. The more access you are granted, the greater the risk that will be assigned to you. Just because an extension is considered high risk by the Extension Police, it doesn’t mean that the extension is malicious or abuses the information it has access to.
On many occasions, the permissions required by an extension installed in Google Chrome are justified in the use and functions of it. In addition, it must also be borne in mind that by clicking on any extension in the list, you will also have access to a classification by users. This will help identify safe extensions even if it is classified as dangerous due to the permissions granted.
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