Privacy

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How do you evaluate a browser extension for privacy/security? (lemmy.world)

submitted 1 day ago by ladybugs@lemmy.world to c/privacy@lemmy.world

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Sorry if this is a dumb question, I'm not a tech/IT person and am very early in my privacy journey.

I was going to install a web clipper browser extension that works with a notes app I'm trying out, but the installation page says it isn't actively monitored for security by the organization behind my browser. The extension requires access to your data for all websites. However, the page also says that they don't share data with any third party and don't have access to this data themselves. What level of privacy risk am I taking on with this extension?

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[–] blight@piefed.blahaj.zone 6 points 1 day ago (1 children)

By the number of stars on their git repository. I would never, ever, install an extension that's not open source.

[–] CorrectAlias@piefed.blahaj.zone 1 points 1 day ago

You can use stars, but I still don't trust that metric alone, personally. I also check the recent issues and make sure that normal users are reporting bugs, and also that the closed issues aren't trying to mask vulnerabilities or malicious findings from other users.