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Microsoft's Chrome extension fights phishing attacks
Due to the dominance of Google's Chrome browser, even if you're on Windows you're probably not using Microsoft Edge. You can still enjoy some of its technology, however, since Microsoft has plugged its Windows Defender browser protections into Chrome via a just-released extension. It cites third-party testing that claims Microsoft Edge protects against 99 percent of phishing attacks with its constantly updated list of malicious URLs, while Google's built-in feature manages to stop only 87 percent. If you're concerned you might cross an ill-meaning link in an email or message and need some additional peace of mind, then install and enable Microsoft's extension from the Chrome store. It will get the job done without requiring a browser switch -- unless you're on Chrome OS since users report it doesn't work there.
Grammarly patches bug that could expose everything you write (update: not everything)
Grammarly, a copyediting app/extension for Chrome and Firefox that points out typos and grammatical mistakes, had a major bug that allowed any website you visit to log into your account and read everything you ever wrote. It made all your documents, history, logs, tweets and blog posts vulnerable to high-tech snoops. Google's Project Zero, which unearths and tracks vulnerabilities and reports them to software-makers, revealed the bug on February 2nd. Thankfully, the Grammarly team has quickly patched it up and has already auto-updated the program used by over 20 million users.
DuckDuckGo upgrades apps to block hidden ad trackers
DuckDuckGo has given its browser extensions and apps a boost with more features meant to protect you from prying digital eyes. To start with, they now come with a built-in tracker blocker that prevents ad networks from following you around and collecting data on what you're doing. It even lists all the hidden networks it blocks, such as Google and Facebook, which you can access when you expand that section of the updated extension/app.
37,000 Chrome users downloaded a fake Adblock Plus extension
If you use Adblock Plus with Chrome and downloaded the extension pretty recently, you may want to check what you've installed. Apparently, a fake Adblock Plus extension made it through Google's verification process and lived in the official Chrome Web Store alongside the real one. Google has taken down the phony listing after SwiftOnSecurity tweeted about it and put the company on blast, but by then, it has already been up long enough to fool 37,000 people. That's a drop in the bucket for a service that has 10 million users, but it sounds like trouble for those who were unlucky enough to download it.
1Password extension is finally available for Microsoft Edge
You don't have to make do with LastPass on Edge anymore if you like 1Password better. The password manager's Edge extension is finally available on Windows 10 a year after a preview came out for Insiders. Based on its developers' posts on their forum, Redmond approved the extension on October 3rd and it popped up on the Microsoft Store a short while later.
NASA's inflatable ISS habitat could stay in space until 2020
The Bigelow Expandable Activity Module (BEAM) was only supposed to stay attached to the ISS for two years. It's been performing well enough in its technological demonstration, however, that NASA now wants to extend its stint for three more years. Astronauts aboard the ISS installed BEAM in early 2016 as an experiment, with the intention of regularly checking its integrity, conducting radiation shielding experiments and collecting microbial air and surface samples from within its confines. The results of those tests prove that the module is tough enough to survive the harsh conditions of outer space for far longer than its original lifespan.
You have 30 more days to tell Ajit Pai not to neuter broadband
While it's attacking net neutrality, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is pushing a second proposal that could also limit internet freedom. Under Tom Wheeler, broadband was redefined to mean 25Mbps download and 3Mbps upload speeds, but Pai's FCC wants to change that to include mobile networks with meager 10Mbps/1Mbps speeds. That hasn't been as well-publicized as the Title II issue, so many folks aren't aware that the comment period expires tomorrow. After a letter from 12 Democrat Senators urging an extension, however, the FCC agreed to prolong it by 30 days.
Samsung inexplicably opens up its Android browser
Samsung has announced that the new version of its browser, Samsung Internet, can be used on any relatively new Android phone, which is good news if you're bored of existing mobile browsers that already do the job perfectly well. The Korean tech giant made its software ambitions known in March when, in response to "many requests", it released a beta version of Samsung Internet (5.4) compatible with Google devices such as the Pixel and Nexus series. Now, the v6 beta version is being released for any phone running Android 5.0, aka Lollipop, or later.
GoPro's $100 accessory puts Karma's gimbal (almost) anywhere
When GoPro launched Karma at the end of the last year, company CEO Nick Woodman was keen to point out that it's "So much more than a drone." That statement was mostly referring to the bundled handheld grip, which uses the stabilizer from the quadcopter, bringing smooth video to ground-based activities as well. Now, there's a new member of the Karma family, with the self-explanatory name of "Karma Grip Extension Cable." The accessory (pictured on the left, above) brings the gimbal's video-smoothing skills to even more points of view. Albeit at a price.
Critical security flaws found in LastPass on Chrome, Firefox (updated)
Last year Google Project Zero researcher Tavis Ormandy quickly found some "obvious" security problems in the popular password manager LastPass, and now he's done it again. Last week Ormandy mentioned finding an exploit in one version of its extension for Firefox, before following that up with a new bug that affected both Chrome and Firefox, and finally a third vulnerability that could allow "stealing passwords for any domain."
Pinterest adds visual search to its handy browser extensions
Pinterest introduces new ways for its users to access pinned items on the regular and today it's revealing yet another. Starting tomorrow, you can employ the company's visual search tech to hunt for things from inside its browser extensions. How does it work? Well, you can hover over an image on the site you're reading to find related items on Pinterest without having to leave that page.
Browser add-on caught selling identifiable web histories
When you include the word "trust" in your internet company's name, you're under more pressure than most to respect the privacy of your customers... and one firm is learning that lesson the hard way. Web of Trust Services' browser add-on has left the extension libraries for Chrome, Firefox and Opera after a German broadcaster's investigation revealed that Web of Trust was collecting and selling users' web histories to third parties. While the company said that it was anonymizing data, that didn't hold up under scrutiny. The broadcaster managed to identify over 50 people from sample data, and uncovered everything from active police investigations to the implied sexual orientation of a judge.
Instagram Stories arrive on the web thanks to a Chrome extension
While we wait to see if Instagram will bring its new Snapchat-like Stories feature to the web, someone has already created a workaround. Thanks to Alec Garcia's Chrome IG Story extension, you can view those posts from the comforts of your browser. Sure, you'll have to use Google Chrome in order to make it happen, but once you activate the add-on, Instagram stories will appear atop your feed just like they do in the mobile app.
Windows 10 update adds AdBlock support to the Edge browser
AdBlock and AdBlock Plus are no longer exclusive to Windows Insider Program participants. Microsoft's anniversary update for Windows 10 doesn't only come with Cortana voice commands (and many other features), it also adds support for the ad blocker to your Edge browser. This version is based off the extension's code for Chrome instead of Internet Explorer, but you might encounter some issues anyway since it's still in development. Of course, you'll have to wait for the anniversary update first before you can install the add-on and tweak its (potentially problematic) whitelist. You're bound to get it within the coming weeks, so long as you're running Windows 10.
Facebook add-ons save and share stories in Chrome
Facebook's save-for-later feature just got much quicker if you're a Chrome fan. The social network is releasing a Save to Facebook extension for Google's web browser that lets you preserve that news story or recipe for posterity. There's a Share to Facebook add-on, too, so you don't have to copy-and-paste outside links. Both should be available in the Chrome Web Store today.
Use Microsoft Outlook to schedule a meeting at Starbucks
At March's Build developer conference, Microsoft gave the full rundown on a number of Office extensions for Mac. Part of that announcement was a Starbucks add-in that allows you to send gift cards and book meetings inside Outlook. Well, that extension, er "add-in," is ready for prime time. This means that you can easily send a "thank you" cup of coffee or schedule a meeting at your nearby Starbucks location while you're looking at a related email. And if you need to place an order, the add-in will boot you out to the coffee company's mobile app to input all the details for your Grand Soy Latte or Iced Americano.
LastPass is the first password manager extension on Edge
Microsoft is getting closer to releasing its big Windows 10 update this summer, but Windows Insider beta testers with the latest build have a new element to try out today. That's because LastPass has officially released its first browser extension for Edge (after it leaked out temporarily a week ago), saying it's the first password manager extension on the platform. Support for extensions is necessary if Edge will try to snag users from the Chrome or Firefox browsers they're used to, and after AdBlock, password management is a big one.
Chrome extension blocks out the names of mass shooters
Many mass shooters were motivated by their desire for fame and glory, so the Brady Campaign believes it's time we shift our focus towards the victims. The non-profit org has released a Chrome extension called "Zero Minutes of Fame," because when installed, the killers don't get their 15 minutes. It blocks out the gunners' names -- so long as it's their full names -- in articles you read and even replaces their photos with pictures of the victims.
'Save to Google' Chrome extension compiles webpages for you
Google has a new alternative for all those save-and-read-it-later apps like Pocket: a Chrome extension called "Save to Google." According to OMG! Chrome, the big G quietly released it as a feature that allowed users to stash away images you find online. This extension, however, expands the feature's capabilities, allowing you to save even webpages to a central location. You can also tag everything you decide to set aside to make it easy to find things when you're ready to peruse them. To use the feature, simply click the star icon the extension adds to your browser, tag away and look for them later on google.com/save.
Microsoft is trying to make Chrome extensions work on Edge
Microsoft's very first batch of Edge browser extensions is small, but it seems the company's taking steps to make sure Windows users get more in the future. According to Microsoft Senior Program Manager Jacob Rossi, the tech titan is developing a "porting tool to run Chrome extensions in Edge." It will presumably make things even easier for developers to create Edge versions of their extensions, though Rossi clarified that it doesn't support all APIs. The tool isn't finished yet, as well, but it's not like most users can start installing plug-ins on their browsers anyway. Redmond has just begun testing the feature, and for now, only Windows Insiders in the Fast ring can enjoy it.
