Whether you use Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Opera or something else for your day to day browsing, there are browser extensions (or add-ons) that can make that browsing better – but which ones?
All browser options these days have a dedicated section in your settings options to find extensions that are compatible with that particular browser. See our chart below for the steps to finding it in each of the browser options mentioned above.
Reaching the extension store is really just the first step, actually choosing extensions that will make browsing more pleasant or more efficient for you is a whole other ball game. There are extensions for changing the appearance of your browser, adding functionality (like highlighting specific tabs) blocking ads and more.
Since Chrome dwarfs the competition in market share (with a whopping 63.56% of traffic worldwide coming from Chrome) we’re going to focus on Chrome, but in most cases there will be a direct analog for these found in other browsers.
Top 5 Chrome Browser Extensions We Recommend (And Actually Use Ourselves):
- LastPass: LastPass is a subscription-based password storage vault, and it has an extension that makes logging into your accounts super easy. For one low annual fee they will safeguard all of your passwords and via the extension, you can autofill those into sites you use to login. It will also alert you if you’re usually a duplicated password (giving you the option to make better choices there) and if you want to change that duplicated password – it also comes with a password generator built in.
- Ghostery: There are a lot of adblocker options available, but Ghostery is unobtrusive and also blocks something many of the other ones miss, trackers. If you’ve ever had an ad seemingly follow you around it’s because websites will deposit a “cookie” onto your computer through your browsing that then allows you to be tracked across the web. Ghostery puts these sneaky ads in their place and blocks that practice altogether.
- Loom: If you’ve ever wanted to quickly show staff how to navigate a website or service you use in your business, Loom can help. Loom lets you quickly record video and screen captures directly from your Chrome browser. You can also file share via Loom so you can send the videos you make directly via the same extension.
- Buffer: Managing your social media content and enacting a strategy that allows you to be consistent is harder than it sounds. When you get into the grind of your day it’s very easy to forget that daily Facebook post or to check in on that new LinkedIn campaign you started. Buffer allows you to publish, review analytics, add content ideas to a calendar and review social engagement all under ONE platform found directly in your browser.
- Dark Reader: This is a Chrome extension your retinas will appreciate. As a dark mode fan it can be glaring when you hit a website that doesn’t have a dark mode option, luckily there’s a Chrome extension that adds the Chrome Dark Theme to every site you visit.
So now that we’ve covered some extensions we do recommend, what about ones we don’t? In general, it’s good to think of the extension stores as being similar to the application stores found on your mobile phone. These are added by independent developers and as with the Android/Apple shops there can be unscrupulous additions included with the intended features, like collecting your data or abusing your systems resources.
As such we suggest using your best judgement when downloading and if you’re ever unsure, reach out to your tech support team to confirm. If you need guidance for this or other technology topics in your business, Valley Techlogic is here to help.
We’ve been providing our technical expertise to businesses in the Central California area since 2004, reach out today to schedule a consultation.
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This article was powered by Valley Techlogic, an IT service provider in Atwater, CA. You can find more information at https://www.valleytechlogic.com/ or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/valleytechlogic/ . Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/valleytechlogic.
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