FAQ
Frequently asked questions about the extension auditor
Getting Started
What is Extension Auditor?
Extension Auditor is a browser extension that helps users understand and evaluate the security implications of their installed browser extensions. It provides real-time security analysis and risk assessment based on permissions, capabilities, and potential security impacts.
What features does Extension Auditor offer?
Key features include: Real-time Security Analysis of installed extensions, Risk Classification into severity levels, Permission Analysis with detailed explanations, Host Access Analysis to identify broad permissions, and Comprehensive Security Reports with specific findings and potential risks.
Security & Privacy
How does Extension Auditor work?
Extension Auditor analyzes extensions through multiple factors: 1) Permission Analysis - evaluates requested permissions and security implications, 2) Host Access - identifies broad host permissions that could pose privacy risks, 3) Content Script Analysis - examines web page interactions, 4) Manifest Analysis - reviews security best practices, and 5) Combined Risk Assessment - calculates overall risk based on multiple security factors.
What are the risk rating levels?
We classify security findings into four levels: Critical (highly sensitive permissions that could be dangerous if misused), High (permissions that could potentially be used maliciously), Medium (permissions requiring caution due to significant capabilities), and Low (permissions with limited potential for misuse).
Is my privacy protected when using Extension Auditor?
Yes, absolutely! Extension Auditor runs entirely in your browser and requires only two essential permissions: 'management' to access extension information and 'tabs' to display the analysis interface. We don't collect personal data, send data to external servers, modify other extensions, or alter webpage content.
Use Cases
Who can benefit from Extension Auditor?
Extension Auditor is valuable for: 1) Everyday Internet Users looking to stay informed and secure, 2) Content Creators vetting extensions before promotion, 3) Cybersecurity Professionals using it as a starting point for pentesting, and 4) Privacy Professionals assessing privacy concerns and comparing advertised practices vs actual use.