Web Browser extensions are essential for your personal Privacy and Security. Whilst you should carry out background checks on 3rd party extensions, it does mean that your data is not managed by a single provider such as the Web browser which is usually beneficialy for preserving Privacy and Security of your data.
It is worth trialing the extensions and reading through the reviews left by other users so you are aware of both the good and bad experiences of other users.
The biggest trade off for me is the overall speed degradation you may encounter if using some/all of the Extension listed. Personally the trade off is reasonable and allows me to reach my priority over the 2 which is Privacy/Security over the quickest possible web browsing experience. Note that the speed degradation is really debatable as my definition of speed loss may not be noticed by others or experienced at all depending on which Extensions you use and your Web browsing habits.
- uBlock Origin – The uBlock Origin is a free and open-source, cross-platform browser extension for content filtering—primarily aimed at neutralizing privacy invasion in an efficient, user-friendly method – Read more
- HTTPS Everywhere – HTTPS Everywhere is a Firefox, Chrome, and Opera extension that encrypts your communications with many major websites, making your browsing more secure
- ClearURLs – Deletes tracking elements from links
- Cookie AutoDelete – Deletes cookies automatically
- Skip Redirect – Bypasses referring website, to directly take you to the actual web page
- LocalCDN – Improves page loading speeds, diverts web requests to use local resources
- DuckDuckGO Privacy Essentials – Sets DuckDuckGO as the default search engine, improves your privacy
- Unshorten.link – Unshorten.link reveals what’s behind a shortened URL before you visit it
- Virus Total – Analyze suspicious files and URLs to detect types of malware, automatically share them with the security community
- Adblock Plus – Adblock Plus is a free extension that allows you to customize your web experience. You can block annoying ads, disable tracking and lots more. It’s available for all major desktop browsers and for your mobile devices
- Disconnect – Protect yourself from malicious internet tracking, ads, web content, and other privacy threats
- Privacy Badger – Privacy Badger automatically learns to block invisible trackers
- Decentraleyes – Protects you against tracking through “free”, centralized, content delivery
- AVG – Avoid Phishing sites, Browse safey and Protect your personal data
- My IP Address – Useful to check that your actual IP address is not visible when used in conjunction with an IP changinging service such as a Proxy or VPN. Find out everything about a domain name, IP address or provider. Discover relations between them and see historical data. Use it for your digital investigation, fraud prevention or brand protection
- VPN – Windscribe – Windscribe encrypts your browsing activity, blocks ads, and unblocks entertainment content
- NoScript – The NoScript Firefox extension provides extra protection for Firefox, Seamonkey and other mozilla-based browsers: this free, open source add-on allows JavaScript, Java, Flash and other plugins to be executed only by trusted web sites of your choice (e.g. your online bank)
- Bitwarden – Cross-platform, open source password manager