11 Best Security and Privacy Extensions for Chrome [Tested]
Protecting your online privacy should be your number one concern
- Chrome privacy extensions can lessen the amount of data collection when using this browser.
- Unlike other browsers that have built-in security tools, with Chrome you need to get add-ons.
- To establish the best privacy extension for Chrome, you have to try several of these choices.
- Free security extensions include PrivacyBadger, Blur, or VPN extensions such as Browsec.
When a service or tool is free to use, this means that you are the product. Or more specifically, the data collected on you and your behavior is the product.
Online privacy has been one of the hottest topics of debate in recent years. Naturally and rightfully, users want to better control the amount of data collected on them, but this is not always an easy task.
We all agree that it’s impossible to prevent user data collection while surfing the web. However, users can indeed limit the data collected, as well as decide which type of data tech companies can collect.
Browser privacy extensions are one of the best and most simple tools to use in order to control what data is collected on you.
Since Google Chrome is the most popular browser in the world, in this article we’re going to list the best Chrome privacy extensions to install in order to protect your privacy.
Quick Tip:
Instead of going through the process of adding extensions to Chrome, why not go for a web browser that comes with a VPN that is already included?
One such browser is Opera One, and the VPN that comes with it is very efficient, primarily because it is both free and because you don’t have a traffic limit.
Opera One
If you value privacy when surfing the Internet, choose Opera One as your default browser!Are Chrome extensions secure?
You should know that, while most Chrome security extensions claim to protect your online privacy, not all of them are as efficient or safe to use.
These tools are also very different from one another, and some might even end up doing more harm than good.
The extensions are written using web technologies like HTML, JavaScript, and CSS, and then distributed through Chrome Web Store.
It’s important to know that all users with a Google Account are able to add extensions to this source after developing them.
That being said, some Chrome extensions can be created with malicious code from the very start or they can be updated with malicious code once they gain a certain level of popularity.
So, to answer your question, not all Chrome extensions are as secure as you might think, even though you downloaded them from a safe source.
Do extensions slow down Chrome?
Yes, they do. Each extension adds bloat to the browser and therefore can eat up more of your PCs memory and slow it down.
Can I use a VPN with extensions?
Yes, but there are some limitations to know about. Installing a VPN plugin/extension for the Chrome browser will protect all your activity and data whilst using that browser, that’s it.
What are the best Chrome extensions for extra security?
Guard.io – Lightweight extension
Guard.io is a lightweight Chrome extension that runs in your browser and secures everything within it to preserve your online privacy. Guard.io is a one-click installation to safeguard your privacy and keep you and your browser secure from attacks.
This Chrome extension is an anti-malware tool that both eliminates current malware and prevents new malware attacks from infecting your device.
It does this by preventing malicious websites, extensions, and push notification providers that attempt to install malware on your device.
The safeguard tool prevents invasive pop-ups and pushes notifications from appearing in your browser and warns you when your data has been compromised, allowing you to take action fast and avoid identity theft.
Guard.io operates continuously monitoring, checking, and blocking off bad sites, extensions, and pushes, rather than doing scheduled scans.
Guard.io
For a safe and private Chrome browsing experience, it quickly scans your device for viruses, abusive alerts, and information leaks.AVG Online Security – Threats security check
AVG security is recognized worldwide as reliable virus protection. Their security extension doesn’t disappoint with its privacy tools.
This browser extension can protect you from phishing threats on different sites, malicious programs, and malware threats reported by others.
A great advantage of this secure extension is its community of +400 users which can rate any website security issues and warn others right away.
Plus, it can also stop tracking cookies from different sources that gather your data for marketing purposes. So test this exhaustive online privacy extension on Chrome and never worry about your data.
Privacy Badger – Popular choice
Privacy Badger is perhaps the most popular privacy extension for Chrome. The tool is a project of the Electronic Frontier Foundation, the same group that publicly criticized Windows 10’s privacy policy.
Privacy Badger blocks tracking tools and spying ads so that nobody can track your browsing activity without your consent.
The extension also blocks third-party trackers that load invisibly when you launch Chrome. Or as its creators describe it: Nothing can stop the Privacy Badger from eating cookies when it’s hungry!
Ghostery – For extra speed
Ghostery protects your online privacy and also shows you who’s tracking your web browsing. In this manner, companies can no longer build a profile about you in order to manipulate your behavior.
The extension allows you to control with whom you share your personal data. Oftentimes, trackers reduce your browsing speed.
By blocking them, Ghostery can also speed up your browsing. Another advantage of this tool is that it removes page clutter, so you can focus on the content.
This extension also focuses on offering you all the information you need to understand the different types of trackers and how they may affect your browsing experience.
Blur – It’s time to secure all your personal information
Blur is an excellent Chrome extension that really keeps your private information private. The tool allows you to secure all your personal information online.
Blur saves, encrypts, and organizes your passwords. The extension keeps you safe from hackers’ attacks.
For example, if a website where you’ve shopped gets hacked, your personal information, including your credit card info won’t even be there.
Blur also blocks companies from collecting data about your online activity, including non-cookie trackers.
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Privacy Cleaner – Regain control of your privacy
Privacy Cleaner blocks websites and apps from accessing your private information and helps you regain control of your privacy.
This tool scans, tracks, and controls how apps access your personal information online. You can then approve, remove or report them. Privacy Cleaner allows you to clear your apps’ permissions in just one click.
Moreover, it also alerts you when apps gain access to your private information so that you can confirm your authorization or revoke permissions immediately.
MyPermissions, the company behind Privacy Cleaner guarantees that all of your information stays within the company’s accounts and is not shared with third-party groups.
ZenMate VPN extension – Doesn’t affect your browsing speed
ZenMate VPN encrypts your traffic and hides your IP address so that third-parties groups can’t steal your data and follow you online.
The tool also lets you change your virtual location and access region-restricted websites. The ZenMate VPN extension doesn’t affect your browsing speed, unlike many VPN services.
Moreover, installing this Chrome extension is much simpler than installing a classic VPN program. With just one click, the plugin installs and you’re ready to go online safely.
Fair AdBlocker – Browse faster than ever
As its name suggests, Fair AdBlocker blocks ads, popups, malware, and tracking tools. This Chrome extension allows you to browse faster and protects your privacy at the same time.
You can use Fair AdBlocker to block autoplay video ads, YouTube ads, expanding ads, interstitial page ads, Facebook ads, Webmail ads, search ads, and more.
You can always choose to whitelist the pages that you wish to support. Fair AdBlocker doesn’t track you in order to prevent others from tracking you.
Browsec VPN extension – Feel free to hide your real location
The Browsec VPN extension for Google Chrome encrypts your traffic so that nobody can identify what websites you visit.
This tool allows you to hide your real location from the websites you visit and cancels access rules set by your sysadmin.
You can also use this extension to access services restricted in your region.
DuckDuckGo Privacy Essentials – A-F Privacy Grade rating
As its name suggests, this Chrome privacy extension is brought to you by the creators of DuckDuckGo. With the help of this extension, you can protect your personal data and privacy as you browse the Internet.
The extension blocks hidden trackers on the web pages you visit and loads encrypted versions of respective websites when possible.
When you visit a website with poor privacy practices, you will be notified about them.
DuckDuckGo Privacy Essentials also offers you information about the advertising networks tracking you over time. In other words, you can see who’s trying to track you.
Once you’ve installed the extension, you’ll see a toolbar icon that shows you an A-F Privacy Grade rating.
This score is generated automatically and represents the sum of all the hidden trackers, encryption methods, and website privacy practices.
HTTPS Everywhere – Ideal for encrypted connections
Many websites use unencrypted HTTP protocol in order to show you various information. In case you’re not familiar, the HTTP protocol is an unencrypted protocol, which means that a third party can easily intercept your data.
This means that if you register to a specific website that uses HTTP protocol, all your sent information can be intercepted by malicious users.
This can be a safety concern, and in order to fix this problem, it’s advised that you always use an HTTPS connection. This connection is encrypted, and third parties won’t be able to intercept and steal your data.
Many websites will redirect you to an HTTP version of their website, and this is where HTTPS Everywhere extension comes in handy.
The extension is created by The Tor Project and Electronic Frontier Foundation, and it will force any website that you visit to use the HTTPS protocol.
Bear in mind that this extension can sometimes block crucial website elements, so if the website you’re visiting isn’t rendered properly, you’ll have to disable HTTPS Everywhere.
Overall, HTTPS Everywhere is a great extension, and if you want to enhance your privacy, be sure to check it out
Do extensions work on Incognito?
Tipically, Google Chrome extensions do not work in Incognito mode. But here’s how you can bypass that:
- Open Chrome, and click ⋮ at the top of any window or tab, then Settings.
- Select Extensions.
- Click Details for the extension you want to allow in Incognito Mode.
- Toggle on Allow in Incognito.
These are the best privacy extension available for Chrome. As you can see, this list includes several types of privacy extensions.
You are naturally going to look for the best Chrome privacy extensions VPN, the best security and privacy extensions for Chrome, but just make sure you don’t infect your device.
Also check out the Privacy Test extension for Chrome, for an extra layer of safety in this ever-chancing world full of malware and malicious third parties.
Some offer VPN-like features, while other target specific tracking methods, such as your search history. Select the extension that best suits your needs.
