The Best Plugins for Browsing Safely in Chrome

Chrome, Google, Ophtek, Plugins, Security, , ,
17
Dec 2019

Google’s Chrome browser is a popular browser and one that it is relatively secure. But it can be made even safer with the correct plugins.

It’s estimated that over half of all web traffic goes through Chrome browsers and this popularity is down to its innovation and simple interface. However, the success of Chrome has made it a target of hackers. And this has been highlighted by the recent WizardOpium vulnerability which required a swift patch from Google. There’s added danger for Chrome users from more generalized online threats such as malicious websites and data security concerns. Thankfully, help is at hand for web users in the form of security plugins.

And, to help you enhance your Chrome experience, we’re going to examine the best plugins for browsing safely in Chrome.

What is a Plugin?

You may not be familiar with plugins, so it’s probably a good idea that we start by explaining them. A plugin is a piece of software which, as the name suggests, ‘plugs in’ in to your browser. Acting as an additional software component, a plugin adds extra features to your browser. The types of plugin availability aren’t just limited to security features either. Adobe’s Flash player, for example, is probably one of the most well-known browser plugins.

Chromes Best Security Plugins

It’s now time to take a look at the best plugins for browsing safely in Chrome:

  • Ghostery: A privacy ad blocker, Ghostery grants Chrome the opportunity to block adverts and stop data trackers from harvesting your data. The plugin allows you to customize which ads and trackers remain active whilst blocking the more suspicious ones. And, best of all, by blocking ads and data trackers you will speed up the load time of webpages.
  • Web of Trust: It’s estimated that there are up to 18.5 million malicious websites online, so you need to be careful where you browse. With a plugin such as Web of Trust you can maximize your safety. Not only does Web of Trust advise you when you land on an unsafe website, but it also displays ‘reputation’ icons next to the results generated by search engines.
  • Blur: Passwords are a crucial element of safe web browsing, but they need to be kept secure. If your passwords are compromised then you’re at risk of having your personal data stolen. Blur helps you to avoid this. It’s a powerful plugin which can generate strong passwords while also encrypting and saving them. This ensures that there’s no need to memorize or write down you passwords; you can just click and go. 
  • HTTPS Everywhere: The best websites are those with a URL which starts with https rather than just http. The additional S of https indicates that it’s a secure website. However, if you have installed the HTTPS Everywhere plugin then, in most cases, it will be able to automatically switch a http site to a more secure https version.

For more ways to secure and optimize your business technology, contact your local IT professionals.

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What is Google Fiber
What is Google Fiber

What is Google Fiber?

Office Network, ,
02
Feb 2015

What is Google Fiber

Google Fiber is a new Gigabit Internet provider that could be coming to your area. What is Google Fiber and what should you know to be ready?

Will Google have to step on anyone’s toes to roll out such service and what impact can Google Fiber have on businesses and private users? Before we delve into all of this, let’s first understand what Google Fiber is.

What is Google Fiber?

Google is expanding their service portfolio to provide fast Internet to the market and become an established Internet Service Provider (ISP), in hopes of joining the ranks of their competitors AT&T, Comcast and others.
Google is also pushing out the boat by claiming to provide 100 times faster internet speed than other ISPs, with Gigabit (1000 Mbps) download speed. Google Fiber also offers 1TB Cloud storage and TV packages, in addition to their Internet service, to make the plan more appealing and practical to their potential customers.

With Google Fiber, businesses and private users would benefit by having:

The Roadblocks for Google Fiber

Running_utility_lines_fiber

Google is looking to roll out their Google Fiber services across the United States, and have already planned to include metropolitan areas such as San Antonio, Phoenix, Salt Lake City, San Jose, Portland, Nashville, Atlanta, Charlotte and Raleigh-Durham.

Since this covers a wide geographic area with different topology to contend with, Google needs to be able to access the utilities infrastructure in order to install the service, which has become their main obstacle. Therefore in efforts to overcome this obstacle, Google has filed a request to reclassify ISPs under Title II of the Telecommunications Act to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). If reclassification is granted by FCC, then Google will be able to run their Fiber installation on the same poles their competitors currently use to provide broadband.

This would be a huge victory for Google, but a nightmare for Comcast, AT&T and other broadband providers as they’ll need to adapt to newer regulations and give up a share of the market.

If Google has Title II rejected by the FCC to use the already established infrastructure, this would hinder Google Fiber’s roll out across the country as they’d need to literally build around it, making it even more costly business venture for them.

Where is Google Fiber Active?

At present, you’ll find Google Fiber rolled out and live in the area of :

  • Austin,
  • Kansas City
  • Provo

Google provides a website to check if your address is serviceable by Google Fiber.

If Google is granted Title II by the FCC, that’d make the infrastructure available to move the service quickly across to other cities and areas.

For more ways to speed up your office network to ensure business continuity, contact your local IT professionals.

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Chrome is Number One, and For Good Reasons

Security, Software, , , , , , ,
22
Jan 2014

w3-counter-browser-share

Browser share according to W3Counter

The debate about which internet browser is the best has essentially ended.  Personal preferences aside, the consensus among most casual users as well as developers is that Chrome, the Google-backed browser, is number one (for the time being).

Why should you pick Chrome over all other browsers?  First and foremost, let’s consider the fact that the browser is constantly being revamped and tweaked by a huge community of developers worldwide.  Google gave developers the source code for Chrome back in 2008.  Since then, the open source Chomium project has thrived, leading to a robust and constantly updated browser.

A Think Tank is Better Than One Einstein

ad-block

AdBlock can be easily integrated into Chrome

What it comes down to is this, Google is allowing outside developers to tinker with Chrome.  Among some of the crucial benefits resulting from the open collaboration of many brilliant minds are these:

  • Exceptional security measures as developers are constantly debugging and patching up vulnerabilities
  • Add-ons built around the Chrome browser allows for a highly customizable surfing experience.  For instance, the adblock plugin lets surfers select which site is allowed to have ads or popups.
  • Convenience.  Users can sync their browsing history, usernames, passwords, and etc. across multiple platforms.  By simply logging into one’s Google account, he/she can have access to all his past browsing history, and save his present browsing experience for future syncing on other platforms.

It Can Always Be Better

Google, with its involvement in adding parts to the Internet of Things (IoT), has greatly improved the browsing experience for most average internet surfers.  Much of the work done in the development of Chrome (past, present, and future) ultimately serves as medium for Google to grow and profit.  However, Google is taking input from outside developers, and thus it has given the search giant an edge in the browser war over its competitors like Microsoft’s Internet Explorer and Mozilla’s Firefox.

Although Chrome is an exceptional browser for almost everyone and every purpose, a tool for surfing the internet is only a piece of the personal computing experience.  Chrome users will still need to consider what other tools will complement the browser, so that surfing the Internet becomes as secure as possible.

For more ideas and tips on staying safe and secure online, contact your office IT professionals.

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