Skip to main content
Information Security

You are not logged in. Your edit will be placed in a queue until it is peer reviewed.

We welcome edits that make the post easier to understand and more valuable for readers. Because community members review edits, please try to make the post substantially better than how you found it, for example, by fixing grammar or adding additional resources and hyperlinks.

Required fields*

8
  • Rob, thanks for such a detailed and wonderful response. But this is very discouraging somehow as I'm not sure if for every addon I install I will have the time/skill to not read but analyze the code. What are you doing, btw? Though the question I asked is about browser addons, I have similar concerns re: Android apps that show scary warnings at installation time. If I have to start verifying the code running on my (consumer) devices, then I as a consumer am done for: When would I get to do my other work that helps me pay my bills and buy these consumer devices in the first place?! Commented Jun 26, 2013 at 15:38
  • @Harry You just have to trust the developer, the reviews and ratings. Most developers aren't evil ;) If an application is really evil, a quick Google search would reveal it. Note that my specific example is not an extraordinary case (although a non-deceptive privacy statement would be nice). If you browse the internet, you're being tracked (Google Analytics, server logs, Facebook buttons). Why do you think that the use of Facebook doesn't cost money? Commented Jun 26, 2013 at 15:50
  • 1
    @Harry If you're really concerned about a specific Chrome extension, feel free to mail me (contact details are at my profile). Commented Jun 26, 2013 at 15:51
  • Someone has said, "Trust, but verify." Unfortunately, I not only don't have time/skill to verify, it won't be practical either to contact you every time I install an addon or an Android app. But I still do very much appreciate your offer and willingness to help. Thanks. Commented Jun 26, 2013 at 16:13
  • 1
    @Harry Google has recently introduced a new feature to the Chrome Web Store, which is said to improve the security of its users. There's little to no concrete details though. Commented Jun 30, 2013 at 23:28