9/25/24 - Elizabeth Jorgensen
A browser extension is a small add-on tool that can be added to your web browser to give it extra features. Browser extensions help you do specific things while you browse the internet, such as saving passwords, checking grammar, or adding notes.
A browser extension usually runs in the background unnoticeable to you until you need it. With browser extensions, you can customize your browser to fit your needs.
Browser extensions work by adding extra features to your browser to help it do things it couldn’t do before. Every extension is different and can work in other ways.
Some extensions do their job quietly in the background without you noticing anything. Extensions that work in the background usually have purposes like blocking ads.
Some extensions can change the way web pages look whether that is turning on a dark mode or making the page easier to read.
Other browser extensions add helpful tools to your browser. Some of these extensions might help you save your passwords, take screenshots, or add comments and notes to the webpage.
Extensions also can work with the content on the websites. Translation extensions are a great example of this!
Installing a browser extension is a very simple process. To start you will open the Chrome Web Store. Once you have found the extension you will click the “Add to Chrome” button. After adding your extension to Chrome. Now the extension is on your browser!
For a more intensive walkthrough on how to download an extension see this page.
A frequent concern when it comes to browser extensions is that they might not be safe or they may slow your browser and computer.
To be sure that a browser extension is safe you will want to keep in mind the permissions it asks for. Be sure you are downloading from a reputable store, such as the Chrome Web Store. Look out for regular updates, and privacy allowances, and if any extension is suspicious to you feel free to uninstall the extensions.
Here is a list of some of our favorite extensions to add to your browser.