People have started to pay more attention to online safety precautions as online safety has become the number one issue on the internet these days. Using browser extensions for cybersecurity is one of the security measures that should not be overlooked. Some browser extensions can expose your system to vulnerabilities, so we don’t recommend using untrusted Chrome add-ons.

Download only official extensions that will not track your data or internet activity. Some browser extensions can help improve your online security. In this article, we have discussed the best Chrome extensions for cybersecurity since Chrome is the most popular browser in the market with the most advanced security features. Here 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.

Thanks to a collaboration between the Electronic Frontier Foundation and the TOR Project, the HTTPS Everywhere add-on is now available. Several websites currently use secure connections, but some do not, exposing users to risks such as transferring malware to their devices. HTTPS Everywhere checks whether 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 knowing where you go on the Internet, and it prevents advertisers from loading material into your browser if it thinks they are tracking you without your consent. The addon also includes a color-coded guide that tells you which sites are safe and which are not.

With the exception of Safari, most web browsers support Privacy Badger.

uBlock Origin

At first glance, 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 sources of malware. This plugin also includes a WebRTC blocking feature, which ensures that your IP address is properly disguised if you are using a VPN, which you should be doing.

Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, Firefox, Opera, and Safari all have uBlock Origin installed.

Malwarebytes Browser Protection

Malwarebytes Browser Guard protects your data from malware-infected websites by blocking trackers and other risks. It also protects you from tech support scams, such as when a Microsoft “expert” calls or texts you to say they’ve found a virus on your computer and can remove it for a fee, and virtual credit cards, which steal your credit card. information when you make an online purchase. The add-on also prevents pop-ups, which makes online sites load faster.

Malwarebytes Browser Guard has a 4 out of 5 star rating and over 9 million users, however, we haven’t tested it. Many users have found it beneficial, however, others have found that it breaks some websites or misses some trackers. Before deciding to use Malwarebyte Browser Guard, we recommend that you do thorough research.

Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, Firefox and Safari are all supported by Malwarebytes Browser Guard.

Avira Browser Security

Avira, a security software company, provides the Avira Browser Safety extension. It can protect you from infected ads, unwanted apps hidden in downloads, and harmful websites that may appear in search results. The company also claims the plug-in can help prevent browser hijacking, which occurs when malicious software alters a web browser’s settings without permission, making it easier to inject unwanted ads.

We haven’t tried Avira Browser Guard, however, it has 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 that you do extensive research.

ClearURLs

Have you ever thought about the meaning of those weird letters, numbers, and symbols in a long URL? Some of this drivel is most likely a web tracker. The companies use a number of methods to collect data about you based on the websites you visit, including setting cookies on your browser and monitoring which sites use share buttons linked to social networking sites such as than Facebook and Twitter. ClearURLs cleans up the URL by removing web tracking. ClearURLs prevent a site like Google from reinserting the tracking element into the URL. The addon generates a report showing the number of components that have been blocked. This plugin makes it easy to share URLs with your friends and family.

We haven’t tried ClearURLs, but despite the extension having at least 200,000 users and a 4 out of 5 star rating, some users have complained that they can’t whitelist sites or set restrictions. personalized. Before deciding to use ClearURLs, we recommend giving it a thorough review.

For Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge and Firefox, ClearURLs is available for free.

Conclusion:

While many cybersecurity experts and enthusiasts advise against using Chrome extensions. It is essential to understand how to distinguish between safe and malicious extensions. To improve online security, add-ons such as Blur, SiteJabber and Avast Online Antivirus have been created. As a result, their use is completely safe and risk-free. However, you should avoid using untrusted extensions and make sure to update your add-on regularly.

Be sure to remove any addons you don’t use, as they only add to your browser’s sensitivity. Start following the principles of the NIST Cybersecurity Framework if you want to increase your Internet security even further. When it comes to developing security measures to avoid, detect, and recover from cyberattacks, this framework will point you in the right direction. Please let us know if you have experience with the three extensions we listed above.

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