In my last article, I talked about must use tools for enhancing productivity in our practice. While enhancing productivity is essential, we should not forget about the threats emerging daily on the internet. To protect our data/information on our systems, I would like to recommend Google Chrome extensions on security. At the same time, I would like to disclaim here that these extensions are not substitute for full-fledged security suite for your systems.
- HTTPS Everywhere
Everyone needs encryption, particularly when visiting sites that require personal information. Don’t trust a page that asks for passwords but isn’t encrypted. But how can you tell? Just check out the address bar: if the beginning reads “HTTPS”, that’s a sign of encryption. Indeed, the extra “S” means “Secure”. It all depends on the site using an SSL/ TSL certificate to ensure authenticity.
HTTPS everywhere automatically switches thousands of sites from their “HTTP” copies to their securer “HTTPS” versions.
- Credit Card Nanny
Credit Card Nanny is an extension that detects forms that otherwise look secure - proper and valid SSL certificate, encrypted and seemingly safe enough to enter sensitive data such as credit card details - but actually then submit this form data in a clear text email to the site administrators! This extension detects such forms and warns you of the possibility that sensitive information may be exposed in clear-text, putting you and your sensitive data at risk.
- Click & Clean
This is simply one of the best Chrome security add-ons of all time. That’s because it’s quick, easy, and thorough, making your browsing sessions secure and private.
Click & Clean is an innovative and totally free solution for your PC, Mac or Chromebook, that will help you to:
- Scan your PC for Malware
- Delete your browsing history
- Remove download history
- Erase temporary files
- Clear cookies and Empty cache
- Protect your privacy by cleaning up all traces of your internet activity,
- Clean up your hard drives and Free up more disk space
This powerful solution enables you to do all that mentioned above instantly.
- Panic Button
With Panic Button extension, you can browse securely & better. This is simply one of the best Chrome security add-ons of all time. That’s because it’s quick, easy, and thorough, making your browsing sessions secure and private.
Panic Button makes it easier for you to hide all of your tabs at once just by clicking on a button. They are then saved as bookmarks in a separate folder. Afterwards, the Panic Button turns green and shows you how many tabs are currently hidden. Another click on the Panic Button restores all of the tabs you have hidden earlier.
- LastPass
LastPass, an award-winning password manager, saves your passwords and gives you secure access from every computer and mobile device.
Only remember one password - your LastPass master password. Save all your usernames and passwords to LastPass, and it will auto login to your sites and sync your passwords everywhere you need them.
This robust password manager is a must-use free tool that supports multiple operating systems and browsers
You can use Dashlane & 1Password as an alternative as there have been two notable security incidents in LastPass’s history: one in 2011 and one in 2015. LastPass now has some of the most robust security features in the industry.
- Unshorten.link
Shortened links are still popular, but they can be deceptive too. You could end up on a suspicious website, downloading malicious software. With the Unshorten.link extension, any shortened link (such as bit.ly or t.co) you click on will be automatically expanded and analyzed for malware giving you a clear view of where the link is taking you. Unshorten will also automatically remove known tracking cookies from the URL.
- No Script Suite Lite
JavaScript is an important part in our browsing experiences, and also forms the backbone of apps and online infrastructure. But sometimes, it can hide malicious activity, including snooping and ransomware. You could simply disable JavaScript, but functionality will decrease. It really is a catch-22. Much of the web won’t function properly without it; but by enabling it, you leave yourself open to all sorts of issues, most notably malware.
No Script Suite Lite is a solution to this problem. No-Script Suite Lite provides an extra security for your browser. It allows JavaScript to be executed only by trusted websites of your choice. Some websites are added to the white-list by default, but you can add or remove items at any time.
- Simple Blocker
Here’s one that’s designed as a productivity tool that doubles as a security measure. Simple Blocker is an easy to use Chrome extension which allows you to block websites. You can block specific subdomains (news.google.com) or entire websites (facebook.com) at the click of a button.
Simple Blocker can be beneficial to anyone who has a lot to do and seems to get distracted too easily. Are you spending too much time checking Facebook? In a few minutes, Simple Blocker could be blocking all those websites for you so that you can focus on getting things done. With Simple Blocker you have an unlimited blacklist, so block to your heart’s content!
- Blur
Better than a password manager: Blur makes it easy to keep track of and secure all your personal information online.
Despite all the warnings, the majority of us use one or two passwords for everything. You need one code to access Blur, and the extension does the rest for you: namely, it masks your email address and password, filling in forms with anonymous data. Blur opens and generates a random one for you. The same goes for passwords.
Have a safe browsing!!!
Anoop Nasa is Founder & CEO of Myfinkart Financial Advisors.
