Extension Details
Context-Aware Verdict
The extension has concerning trust indicators. With only 30,000 users and a single 5-star rating, the user base appears artificially small for such a high rating. The developer domain "privacymodeweb.com" lacks established reputation, and the generic name "Privacy Mode" could be misleading users about the extension's actual functionality. The absence of detailed developer information and recent update history raises additional credibility concerns.
Key Concerns:
The extension requests cookies permission, which is particularly concerning for a "privacy" tool as it can access and modify all browser cookies across websites. The broad host permissions combined with content script injection on Yahoo.com creates potential for data harvesting. The contextMenus permission allows interface modification that could be used for deceptive purposes. Most critically, the host permissions to privacymodesearch.com suggest the extension may redirect searches through the developer's servers, potentially capturing search queries and browsing data.
Given the high risk level, consider running this extension in a separate Chrome profile to isolate potential damage. Before installation, verify the developer's legitimacy and read recent user reviews carefully. Monitor your browser's network activity after installation to check for unexpected data transmission. Consider using established privacy tools from reputable developers instead. If you must use this extension, regularly audit your cookie settings and be cautious about sensitive browsing activities while it's active.
Findings
Security Analysis Details
Required Permissions:
- contextMenus
- cookies
- storage
- alarms
Host Permissions:
- *://*.privacymodesearch.com/*
Embedded URLs (9 total):
| http://www.w3.org/2000/svg | https://clients2.google.com/service/update2/crx | |
| https://www.privacymodesearch.com/favicon.ico | https://www.privacymodesearch.com/search/?category=web&s=p8pr&vert=private&q= | |
| https://sug.privacymodesearch.com/v1/sug/?yid=p8pr&vert=private&q= | https://www.privacymodesearch.com/wim/gotohub?s=p8pr | |
| https://fonts.googleapis.com | https://fonts.gstatic.com | |
| https://fonts.googleapis.com/css2?family=Manrope:wght@400 |
Raw Manifest
{ "name": "Privacy Mode", "icons": { "16": "img/icon16.png", "48": "img/icon48.png", "128": "img/icon128.png" }, "action": { "default_icon": { "16": "img/icon16.png", "48": "img/icon48.png", "128": "img/icon128.png" }, "default_popup": "popup.html", "default_title": "Privacy Mode" }, "version": "3.0.1", "background": { "service_worker": "background.js" }, "short_name": "Privacy Mode", "update_url": "https://clients2.google.com/service/update2/crx", "description": "Default search extension that facilitates seamless access to private search from the address bar", "permissions": [ "contextMenus", "cookies", "storage", "alarms" ], "homepage_url": "https://www.privacymodesearch.com/wim/gotohub?s=p8pr", "content_scripts": [ { "js": [ "script.js" ], "matches": [ "*://*.yahoo.com/*" ] } ], "host_permissions": [ "*://*.privacymodesearch.com/*" ], "manifest_version": 3, "externally_connectable": { "matches": [ "https://*.privacymodesearch.com/*" ] }, "web_accessible_resources": [ { "matches": [ "<all_urls>" ], "resources": [ "/img/icon16.png" ] } ], "chrome_settings_overrides": { "search_provider": { "name": "Privacy Mode", "keyword": "Privacy Mode", "encoding": "UTF-8", "is_default": true, "search_url": "https://www.privacymodesearch.com/search/?category=web&s=p8pr&vert=private&q={searchTerms}", "favicon_url": "https://www.privacymodesearch.com/favicon.ico", "suggest_url": "https://sug.privacymodesearch.com/v1/sug/?yid=p8pr&vert=private&q={searchTerms}" } } }
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