Think about everything you do in Chrome in a single day. You check your e-mail, do online shopping, read stories and perhaps log on to your bank. Websites and advertisers gather bits of information about you as you go along. Fortunately, there is something you can do to regain control with a couple of clicks. The browser extensions are small utilities that can help you stay anonymous while using the Internet without complicating browsing. Here are some ways they can assist.
Why Your Browser Needs Extra Privacy Tools
Chrome is fast and easy to use, but it is not built to hide you from everyone. The IP address can be seen by websites and provides information about your general location. You are being tracked from page to page and they are learning what you like, and then serving you targeted ads. When you’re on the public Wi-Fi network, users may be interested in observing your activity as well. Extensions fill these gaps by adding protection exactly where you need it.
Hide Your IP and Encrypt Your Traffic
One of the simplest privacy improvements you can make is via a VPN extension. It sends your browser traffic through a secure server, so websites see the server’s IP address instead of yours. Your data is also encrypted, which means that snoopers will be kept at bay on shared networks. Setup is simple with Browsec VPN for Chrome, since you only add it from the Chrome Web Store, click Protect me, and choose a location. It has about 8 million users and a 4.7 rating from over 40,000 reviews. A free version is available, and Premium adds faster servers in more than 40 countries. It also works great if you travel, and you can select a server in a different country to access your typical sites.
Block Trackers and Annoying Ads
There are many websites which contain trackers that follow your behavior unnoticed. Many of these do not load due to privacy extensions like tracker blockers and ad blockers. This translates into less ads tracking you around, faster pages and less data flowing off your computer. You can use one with your VPN for a robust simple privacy solution. Many of these tools are free and only require a minute to set up.
Use a Password Manager Extension
Weak or reused passwords are a major privacy risk. A password manager extension creates strong passwords and fills them in for you. It also allows you to spot fake sites since it will not complete the login in the incorrect site. Add two-step verification for added security.
Choose Extensions Carefully
Not all extensions are safe, and some gather too much information. Before you install one, find out how many users are there, the rating, and recent reviews. Check its Chrome Web Store page for the privacy information to find out what information it collects and if it sells it. Also pay attention to the permissions: if an extension demands a permission they do not require, then it shouldn’t be installed. The latest update date is another positive indicator of a developer’s concern.
Keep Your Extensions Under Control
It’s not always the case that more is better. Each extension you install will be able to access some of your browsing, so only install extensions you are using. Regularly delete extensions from Chrome that are not recent or not recognized. Make sure Chrome and extensions are up to date to receive security updates promptly. If you wish, you can restrict extensions to specific sites. Less clutter helps too.
Pair Extensions With Smart Habits
Extensions can assist, but so do your habits! Do not log on to any important accounts on public computers. Even if emails and messages appear friendly, be wary of links. Clear cookies and browsing history occasionally or use incognito/private browsing mode for private searching. Keep in mind that Incognito doesn’t hide your history from other people; it’s just for your device; it doesn’t replace a VPN. Small steps like these add up.
Conclusion
It’s not hard to maintain privacy online. There are several clever Chrome extensions that will help you hide your IP address, block trackers, and keep your passwords safe. Use only trusted tools, maintain them, and use them with good habits. Take one step today, and every day you’ll be browsing more safely.
