Extensions, add-ons and plugins are all features of web browsers that enable extra features, capabilities and utilities to be added. They can be downloaded, installed, and used within the browser and some of them are excellent.
Edge, Chrome and Firefox browsers have them and many people rely on them to help with or to speed up common tasks.
For example, LastPass is an extension/add-on that remembers all your web passwords and it automatically enters them on web pages without you having to remember them or type them.
A password manager is an essential web browser extension or add-on everyone should have because it solves the problem of creating and remembering complex passwords for websites and services. It does it all for you. LastPass is not the only extension that does this and there are others.
Web browser extensions, add-ons and plugins can read everything on a web page, so they have the potential to spy on your web browsing activities and then pass this on to third parties on the internet.
They can also modify the contents of web pages and either hide elements or insert them. For this reason you must take care when installing them and avoid bad ones.
A common mis-use of a plugin, add-on or extension is to inject adverts into web pages and to cause pop-up adverts to appear inside or outside of the browser window. If you are seeing an excessive amount of adverts or pop-up windows, it is quite likely that you have a rogue browser plugin or add-on.
Where do bad plugins, add-ons and extensions come from?
They don’t appear by magic and one way or another, they must be installed. Think carefully before installing any software on your PC. Can you trust it? Could it include hidden extras like browser plugins and add-ons?
It is common for browser plugins, add-ons and extensions to be bundled with other software, such as free software downloaded from the internet. When installing software you must pay attention and read every bit of text and think about each option.
Too often when installing software, people click Next, Next, Next, Finish, without reading the screens or checking for options.
This is how many bad plugins and extensions are installed - they rely on you either not paying attention during installation, not understanding the options, or not seeing the box you have to tick or clear to opt out.
Use a reliable source
Plugins, add-ons and extensions should be installed only from reliable sources. Do not install them from websites.
While browsing the web, you may come across a website that informs you that you need plugin/add-on/extension X. Do not install it from the website if it is offered.
Instead, go to the appropriate store and get it from there. Afterwards you can return to the website.
How to safely install Edge extensions
The safest way to install extensions in Edge is from the Windows Store.
- Open Edge and click the three dots icon in the top right corner to open the menu.
- Click Extensions on the menu.
- Click Get extensions from the Store.
- Click an extension to see more information or install it.
Install Chrome extensions safely
The safest place to get extensions for Chrome is from the Chrome Web Store.
- Open Chrome and go to https://chrome.google.com/webstore
- Select Extensions on the left.
- Click an extension to see more information and to install it.
Install Firefox extensions
The safest place to get Firefox extensions is from the Mozilla store.
- Open Firefox and go to https://addons.mozilla.org
- Click an extension to see more information and to install it.
How to remove extensions
You should occasionally check the extensions and add-ons that are installed in browsers and remove any that you don’t use or suspect that may be causing problems, such as showing unwanted adverts.
Remove Edge extensions
- Open Edge and click the three dots icon in the top right corner to open the menu.
- Click Extensions on the menu.
- Let the mouse hover over an extension, then click the gear icon on the right.
- Click the button to turn off the extension, then click the Uninstall button
Remove Chrome extensions
- Right click an icon at the right side of the address box and select Remove from Chrome.
- Alternatively, go to the Chrome menu, select More tools, Extensions. Click the Trash icon.
Remove Firefox add-ons
- Open Firefox and click the menu button.
- Click Add-ons.
- Click Extensions on the left.
- Click the Remove button next to the extension to remove.
Summing up
Well-known and popular extensions, add-ons and plugins from the appropriate store are almost certainly safe. If thousands of other people have installed one and no-one has reported any problems, then go ahead and install it.
Avoid extensions, add-ons and plugins that have few users or that you have never heard of.
Always install them from Windows Store (Edge), Chrome Web Store (Chrome) or Mozilla (Firefox).
Never install anything from a website or alternative store.
Next: Clean up Internet Explorer
Previous: Browse the web with Edge
Contents: Windows 10 Security Guide
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