Google Chrome will integrate a Safety Check module, which will notify you when one of your extensions is removed from the Chrome Store for security reasons. A way not to keep malicious extensions in your browser!
Extensions for Google Chrome are very handy. These additional software modules – also called plugin Or add-on in English – are added to the web browser to provide it with additional functions or improve existing functions. There are, for example, ad blockers, PDF converters, translation tools, price comparators, spelling and grammar checkers, VPNs, etc. It’s very simple, they allow you to customize Chrome to make it a tailor-made work or entertainment tool. And most of them are free.
However, caution should be exercised when downloading them – including those from official stores like the Chrome Web Store – as some contain malicious code! Whether it’s injecting ads, stealing your personal data, tracking your activity, or modifying search results to redirect you to affiliated pages, these rogue extensions can do significant damage. Also, Google is regularly forced to clean up the Chrome Web Store. The problem is that Internet users who have already downloaded them are not made aware and know nothing of their dangerousness. Also, as announced in a blog postthe Internet giant will integrate the Safety Check function in its web browser, in order to notify you when an installed extension has been removed from the store.
Safety Check: hunting down malicious extensions in Chrome
The Safety Check module warns you of three types of situation: when an extension disappeared because its developer removed it from the Chrome Web Store, because it did not respect the policy of the Chrome Web Store, or because it contained malware. The tool must be integrated in Chrome 117. However, it is already possible to take advantage of it in Chrome 116 by activating the experimental function “Add-ons in Safety Check”. Here’s how:
- Open Chrome and type chrome://flags/#safety-check-extensions in the address bar.
- A new page opens. Activate the module Add-ons Module in Safety Check by passing the drop-down menu to its right of Default has Enabled.
- Restart the browser as requested to enable the feature.
Once the feature is enabled, you can check your extensions by going to Chrome’s settings, then going to the “Privacy and security” section. Under “Safety Check”, click the “Check Now” button to start a scan. The various browser security settings are then checked, including extensions. If one or more extensions removed from the Chrome Web Store are detected, click “View” to be redirected to a dedicated page. If they are corrupt extensions, Google automatically disables them. Otherwise, it’s up to you whether you want to keep them on your web browser or not.