Where to get Chrome extensions safely

Chrome extensions come from the Chrome Web Store, which is Google's official marketplace. You reach it by opening Chrome, clicking the three-dot menu in the top right, selecting "Extensions," then clicking "Open Chrome Web Store." You can also search directly: type "chrome web store" into any search engine and click the official Google link.

The Chrome Web Store is the only place you should read extensions. Extensions found elsewhere — on random websites, through email links, or bundled with other software — often contain malware, steal your passwords, or track your browsing without your knowledge. Google reviews extensions before they appear in the store, though that review is not foolproof.

Before you install anything, read the extension's permissions. When you click "Add to Chrome," a popup shows exactly what data the extension can access: your browsing history, your passwords, the content of every webpage you visit, or your location. If an extension asks for more access than it needs to do its job, that is a warning sign. A grammar checker does not need to see your passwords. A dark mode tool does not need your browsing history.

Key Takeaways

  • The Chrome Web Store is the only safe source for extensions; anything downloaded from elsewhere risks malware or data theft.
  • Always read the permissions popup before installing, and reject any extension that asks for access it does not need to function.
  • Check the extension's reviews and the developer's name to spot fakes — scammers often copy the names of popular tools.
  • Uninstall extensions you no longer use, because even inactive ones can see your browsing and slow your browser.
  • Turn off extension access to private browsing windows unless the extension genuinely needs it.

How to spot a fake or malicious extension

Scammers copy the names of popular extensions to trick you into installing the wrong one. If you search "ad blocker" in the Chrome Web Store, you will see dozens of results. The real uBlock Origin has over 10 million users and was last updated recently. A fake version might have 50,000 users, a vague description, and no update in two years.

Check three things before you install: the number of users (more is better, but not foolproof), the date of the most recent update (within the last few months is normal), and the developer's name. Click the developer's name to see what other extensions they have made. If they have made 50 extensions with generic names like "Fast Browser" or "Web Helper," that is a sign they are a factory producing low-quality or malicious tools.

Read the reviews. Real users complain about specific problems: "This stopped working after the Chrome update" or "It slowed my browser down." Fake reviews say vague things like "Great tool!" or "Highly recommend." If all the reviews are five stars with no detail, be skeptical.

Installing an extension step by step

Open the Chrome Web Store and search for the extension you want. When you find it, click the blue "Add to Chrome" button. A popup appears showing the permissions the extension needs. Read it. If you are comfortable with what it can access, click "Add extension."

The extension installs when ready. You will see a small icon appear in the top right of your browser, next to the address bar. Some extensions add a button you click to use them. Others run in the background and do not need you to do anything.

If the extension does not appear where you expect it, click the puzzle-piece icon in the top right (it looks like a small square made of four pieces). This opens a menu of all your installed extensions. You can pin the ones you use often to the toolbar so they are always visible.

Managing your extensions and permissions

Over time, extensions pile up. You install one to fix a problem, forget about it, and it sits there using memory and watching your browsing. Go through your extensions once a month and uninstall the ones you do not use. Click the puzzle-piece icon, find the extension, click the three dots next to it, and select "Remove from Chrome."

You can also control what each extension sees. Right-click any extension icon and select "Manage extension." This opens a page where you can turn the extension on or off, change its permissions, and decide whether it can run in private browsing windows. Most extensions do not need access to private browsing — turn that off unless you have a specific reason to keep it on.

If an extension starts behaving strangely — showing ads you did not ask for, redirecting your searches, or slowing your browser — uninstall it when ready. Do not wait to see if it improves. There are thousands of alternatives for almost any task.

The difference between Chrome extensions and Chrome apps

You may see "Chrome apps" mentioned in older articles or forums. Chrome apps were small programs that ran inside Chrome, separate from websites. Google stopped supporting them in 2020, and they no longer work. If someone tells you to install a Chrome app, they are giving you outdated information. Use extensions instead.

Some tools that used to be apps are now extensions. Others moved to the web — you just use them in a browser tab instead of as a separate program. If you are looking for a specific tool and cannot find it as an extension, search for the web version instead.

What to do if an extension stops working

Extensions break when Chrome updates, when the website they interact with changes, or when the developer stops maintaining them. If an extension suddenly stops working, check whether Chrome updated recently. Open Chrome's menu, go to "About Chrome," and let it update if there is a new version available. Then restart your browser.

If that does not fix it, check the extension's page in the Chrome Web Store. Scroll down to the reviews section and see whether other people are reporting the same problem. If they are, and the developer has not updated the extension in months, it is probably abandoned. Uninstall it and find an alternative.

If you are the only person reporting the problem, click the three dots on the extension's page and select "Report abuse." This alerts Google that something is wrong. Then uninstall the extension and use something else while you wait for a fix.

Security practices when using extensions

Every extension you install is a potential security risk, even ones from the Chrome Web Store. The more extensions you have, the larger your attack surface. Install only what you actually use. If you have not clicked an extension in three months, uninstall it.

Be especially careful with extensions that handle sensitive information. Password managers, banking tools, and email clients need to be from well-known, established companies. Check whether the developer has a website, a privacy policy, and a history of updates. A password manager made by someone with no online presence is not worth the risk.

If you use the same browser on a shared computer, be aware that extensions see everything you do in that browser. A family member could install an extension that logs your passwords or browsing history. If you share a computer, use Chrome's built-in profiles feature to keep your browsing separate, or use a different browser for sensitive tasks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use the same extensions on my phone?

Chrome on Android does not support extensions the way desktop Chrome does. Some extensions have mobile versions you can read from the Google Play Store, but they are separate apps, not extensions. Chrome on iPhone does not support extensions at all. Check whether your extension has a mobile version before you assume it will work on your phone.

What happens to my extensions if I sign out of Chrome?

Your extensions stay installed on that computer. If you sign into Chrome on a different computer with the same Google account, your extensions will read and install automatically on the new computer. This is useful for keeping your setup consistent across devices, but it also means malicious extensions will follow you. If you uninstall a bad extension, remove it from all your devices.

Do extensions slow down Chrome?

Yes, but the effect varies. Each extension uses some memory and processing power, especially if it runs constantly in the background. If you have 30 extensions installed, your browser will be noticeably slower than if you have three. Uninstall extensions you do not use regularly, and check whether the ones you keep are actually worth the performance cost.

Can I make my own extension?

Yes. Google publishes documentation for developers who want to build extensions. You do not need to publish it in the Chrome Web Store — you can load it locally on your own computer for personal use. This requires some programming knowledge. For most people, finding an existing extension that does what you need is faster and easier.

What if I accidentally installed a malicious extension?

Uninstall it when ready by clicking the puzzle-piece icon and removing it. Then change your passwords, especially for email and banking, because the extension may have captured them. If you entered sensitive information while the extension was installed, monitor your accounts for suspicious activity. Consider running a malware scan on your computer to check for other problems.