Chrome extensions allow you to enhance and improve the functionality of the browser in several ways. This is one of the reasons Chrome is the most popular browser currently in use, and why other Chromium-based browsers also offer support for such extensions.

However, this extended functionality comes at a cost, since many Chrome extensions available online are unsafe to use and can expose your device to various threats. They may require invasive permissions that grant them access to sensitive data on your machine, can infect it with malware, and lead to other problems like phishing scams. Because of this, it is crucial to verify the safety of Chrome extensions before installing, and you can do so in various ways.

Research the extension developer

You can find many Chrome extensions on the Chrome Web Store, the official marketplace for extensions. While most are from genuine developers, you can also come across many extensions from non-trustworthy sources, which can be risky to install on your device. As explained before, such extensions can cause privacy violations, steal your data, and install adware and malware on your device.

That is why before installing an extension, you should first research the developer properly and find out about them in detail. Take a look at how the developer has described their extension. If the developer has not provided detailed information about the extension or explained its benefits, it is best to avoid installing it.

You should also look for a business registration number and contact details, which can help you determine whether it is a reliable business or not. Finally, check the privacy notice of the extension to find out how the extension will use your data and whether they will share it with third parties or not.

Take a look at third-party reviews

You can also find out whether an extension is trustworthy by checking out its reviews, and these reviews are available on the Chrome Web Store itself. This can help you find out how many people trust and use the extension, making it easy to determine its reliability. The higher the rating, the more reliable the extension, but you should also check how many people have rated it.

In addition to the rating, check out the reviews which can provide you with detailed information about the extension. Avoid extensions with too many negative reviews, since they may have problems with security, features, and usability. Try to find other similar extensions with better reviews and a higher rating.

You can discover some of the best extensions available on the Chrome Web Store in the Editor's Picks section. What's great about this section is that developers cannot advertise or promote their extensions in this section. An extension must be good, with a user-friendly design and a high average user rating to be featured here.

So, when you download any extension from the Editor's Picks section, it has already been verified and checked for safety by Google. Additionally, many of these extensions are given badges indicating their reliability, making it even easier to know which extensions are trustworthy.

And if you're downloading extensions other than those from the Editor's Picks section, always stick to official, reputable sources. Avoid downloading extensions from third-party sources for maximum safety.

Review your installed extensions

You can review your extensions by opening the Extensions page in Google Chrome.

  1. Type chrome://extensions/ in the address bar and hit Enter, or click on the three dots on the top right and go to 'Extensions' before clicking on 'Manage extensions'.
  1. When the Extensions page opens, any problems, including security issues with your installed extensions will be flagged. You can disable or remove extensions from here by clicking on the toggle or the 'Remove' button respectively.

Check whether the extension is updated frequently

With new cyber threats emerging everywhere, updates are extremely important and can help keep your system safe. This is also true for extensions, and you should check whether an extension gets updated frequently to block security vulnerabilities and counter threats like malware.

If an extension does not get updated frequently or has not been updated for some time, it can put your data at risk. On the other hand, frequent updates indicate that the developer is serious about security and actively takes steps to fix any new vulnerabilities as and when they disappear.

Perform a scan for unsafe JavaScript libraries

A JavaScript library refers to a collection of JavaScript code that makes it easy to develop or improve JavaScript-based applications, such as browser extensions. However, if the libraries are not secure, they can pose a serious threat to your system. For instance, hackers can rely on such libraries to take control of your browsing session or access your data.

Fortunately, you can easily find unsafe JavaScript libraries in Chrome extensions using tools like RetireJS, which relies on a database of regularly updated JavaScript libraries to determine weaknesses in your Chrome extensions. Additionally, it provides information about such weaknesses so you can decide whether to remove or continue using the extension.

Try a risk assessment utility

Risk assessment utilities like CRXcavator can help you analyze Chrome extensions in multiple ways. You can use it to find out whether an extension will upload your data to other websites, what permissions it requires, whether it is using unsafe JavaScript libraries and more.

This can help you know everything about an extension, so you can choose whether to install it or not. Additionally, you can enable the Enhanced Protection Mode in Chrome, which provides additional protection against online threats, including those from unsafe extensions.

Things to know

  • It is also a good idea to regularly scan your system using a reliable antivirus program. This can help keep your device protected from threats and infections so you don't have to deal with problems later on.
  • While you may want to try out different extensions and see what they can do, you should remove the ones not needed from your device as soon as possible. Keeping only the extensions you need on your system can help minimize the risks your machine is exposed to.
  • Always check the permissions that a Chrome extension requires before installing it. If you find an extension requiring too many permissions, look for an alternative option that provides the same functionality while needing fewer permissions.
  • People with more technical knowledge can also check the source code of extensions using tools like Chrome Extension Source Viewer and analyze network trace files to determine whether an extension is safe to use or not.