Google Chrome has truly become the most favored browser for all kind of personal as well as official browsing requirements. The reason that makes it popular are its oh-so-impressive built-in security options like Incognito Mode, data control features, etc.
There can be plenty of options when we talk about looking for the best Google Chrome security and privacy-improving extensions; however, it has been a common observation that users often end up installing extensions that are counterproductive to their goals.
Although the aforementioned exceptional features are available in the market, people are constantly on a lookout for the Google Chrome security and privacy extensions to keep their data safe from external threats.
While it is true that some of these must-have Chrome extensions can take your privacy and security to a next level by adding an extra security layer, you must opt to choose the most trustworthy ones for your browser.
Besides, it is also a fact that using unreliable security extensions for Chrome can result in putting your system at risk and makes it buggy.
We have compiled a detailed list of Chrome extensions after thorough research which will truly help you enhance your online privacy and security to a great extent. Let’s dive in,
1. Ghostery
Ghostery is beyond the shadow of doubt one of the best Google Chrome extensions for privacy that is free. The primary task proudly accomplished by Ghostery is to block ads and several trackers that save information on you as you can easily browse the internet.
In addition, you can also set up the Chrome extension with four distinguished levels of blocking with the level of strictness remaining under your control.
Although the Ghostery offers all its basic functionality for free, you can also opt to subscribe to the Pro plan for as low as $2 per month. The reason behind opting for this Pro plan is that it gives you access to priority support as well as interface themes and thorough statistics.
It is also worth mentioning that Ghostery has an advanced anti-tracking feature that is a different kind of algorithm to identify trackers that can’t be blocked and proceeds to strip out any personal or identifiable information. Besides, there’s also an enhanced ad blocking feature that can act much like a standard ad blocker by eliminating visual ads from websites you visit.
2. HTTPS Everywhere
The HTTPS Everywhere extension is amazing in the sense that every website you visit makes the most of the much stronger HTTPS protocol rather than regular HTTP.
Besides, HTTPS encrypts your internet connection to a website while ensuring that your browsing session is safe and private. The regular HTTP connection will offer the same protection.
It was announced by Google in 2018 that Chrome would initiate using the stronger HTTPS protocol to give users more privacy and security. There are many sites that are now configured to use HTTPS.
However, there are innumerable websites that are not and will default to HTTP. That is why; Google Chrome will exhibit a warning when you try to access a site making use of HTTP instead of HTTPS and inquire if you want to go ahead.
And that is precisely where the HTTPS Everywhere extension is of great benefit for those innumerable sites still using HTTP.
3. Last Pass
It is true beyond the shadow of doubt that a dedicated password manager is undoubtedly necessary if you want to enhance your browsing experience and also your online security and privacy.
The reason why LastPass is different from other extensions is just because it operates wholly and solely within your browser while making it a far better choice if you’re opting to look for browser extensions.
In addition, LastPass has undoubtedly the best free plan of any password manager that we’ve tested and also has some additional features headed toward privacy. The main aim of the extension is to keep an eye on your user accounts and also relevant passwords, but the best practice would be to divide this more in the “security” category of things instead of privacy.
4. DuckDuckGo Privacy Essentials
DuckDuckGo is truly the best privacy-focused alternative to Google Search. On one hand, Google makes the most of your data to serve you targeted adverts; DuckDuckGo alternatively comes up to do the opposite.
Just in case if you need an instant privacy boost, opting to switch to DuckDuckGo for your internet searches is without any doubt a great easy option.
In addition, you can also take it one step ahead; however while installing the DuckDuckGo Privacy Essentials Chrome extension. The Privacy Essentials extension also has options for script and tracker blocking while making sure that you always visit the HTTPS version of a site and initiates a handy privacy grading for every site you visit.
Moreover, the privacy grading ranges from A-F and it easily enables you to understand the exact level of privacy to expect on a website at a glance.
5. Hotspot Shield
Hotspot Shield is the most significant free Chrome VPN that must keep you safe when browsing. The reason why you should opt for Hotspot Shield is just because it will save your IP address from any sites interested in it.
A virtual private network functions similar to the Tor browser, though with lesser bounce points. Rather than connecting directly to the web server that you are trying to access, a VPN will first proudly connect to a remote server. It is at that remote server that your IP address is replaced and makes you go incognito online.
6. Unshorten.link
Shortened links are undoubtedly one of the most frequent ways for cybercriminals to tempt unsuspecting users onto their website. While the shortened links can be fine usually, the main issue is that you cannot be sure prior to clicking it.
Unshorten.link is the ideal extension to address this problem for you and whenever you click on a shortened link, you’re easily redirected to a page that helps you whether the site you’re opting to access is secure or not and at which point you can determine for yourself whether or not you want to go ahead or not.
You can also opt for the Pro version available for $7 per annum. This gives you good access to two extra features and a thorough history of what you’ve filtered.
7. Do Not Track Me
Do Not Track Me is another one of the most popular Chrome extensions used for anti-tracking purposes. The extension comes built-in with a drop-down menu that offers a whole set of options for the best possible tracking prevention scenario.
The toolbar gives detailed information about all the cookies that are tracking your data, scripts loading on a specific website, and what kind of data they are trying to access at that instant.
In addition, users can also opt to choose which cookie or script to disable depending on all this data offered to them.
8. Privacy Badger
Privacy Badger is a script and tracker-blocking Chrome extension developed by the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF). Privacy Badger is not exclusively to block ads; however it could well block some advertisements from displaying.
The EFF has a very staunch focus on saving privacy, and Privacy Badger receives recurrent updates to ensure it is blocking as many trackers as possible. Once installed, you can easily click the Privacy Badger icon and comprehend what level of tracking is occurring on each site you visit.
As far as the trackers are concerned, they are color-coded depending on their status while being an intrusive third-party tracker and so on.
9. Google Password Checkup
Password Checkup is yet another extension that is pretty simple while performing a single task: keeping you safe from data leaks.
Whenever you try to log in to a website, the extension frequently checks it against a thorough list of known data breaches where usernames and/or passwords were compromised.
Just in case if the website in consideration shows up on the list, the extension will notify you and advise you to change your password to make sure that your account is still safe.
10. Click&Clean
A simple extension that does exactly what it says, Click&Clean gives you a quick and easy way to clear all of your browsing data. Basically, the extension provides you with a button labelled “securely close browser” that, depending on your settings, will shut down Chrome, wipe your browsing history, empty your cache, delete indexed databases and more.
Besides, you can also even set it up to clear your saved passwords, download history and most importantly delete your saved form data. All of this cleans up to usefully wiping your computer clean of your browsing activity, saving you a significant amount of time in comparison to doing all of this manually.
11. Blur
Blur is without any doubt a handy app that truly offers two crucial functions.
In the first place, Blur is a password management extension as it creates a strong, exclusive password for each online account you opt to open, enhancing your security and privacy.
In addition, the extension saves your password and also encrypts the password data using super-strong AES-256.
Secondly, Blur exceptionally creates a layer of protection between you and also the services that you opt to sign-up for. It ideally works like this: any time you opt for an email address to sign up for a service, Blur offers a one-off masked email address that you can use for your login.
12. 1Password
1Password is a password manager that will ideally create, save, and successfully enter strong passwords for you. As far as the free version is concerned, 1Password has a short life span although the paid version is really the best choice and it can import the passwords saved in your browser. The autofill option will also help you save you a lot of time and ideally offers some protection from phishing attacks.
Bottom Line
Rather than using a random extension for better security, the best advice would be to use any one of the aforementioned ones if you want better performance and a high level of privacy. Besides, it is also crucial to keep personal data safe while also considering the health of your system.
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