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Edit filter log

Details for log entry 35812016

06:02, 31 August 2023: 2a02:c7c:f229:e00:500d:d140:b9ca:7905 (talk) triggered filter 1,048, performing the action "edit" on Browser extension. Actions taken: none; Filter description: Possible spam (examine | diff)

Changes made in edit

{{short description|Program that extends the functionality of a web browser}}
{{short description|Program that extends the functionality of a web browser}}


A '''browser extension''' is a [[software]] module for customizing a [[web browser]]. Browsers typically allow users to install a variety of extensions, including [[user interface]] modifications, [[HTTP cookie|cookie]] management, [[ad blocking]], and the custom [[userscript|scripting]] and [[Style sheet (web development)|styling]] of [[web page]]s.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Mozilla/Add-ons/WebExtensions/What_are_WebExtensions|title=What are extensions?|website=MDN Web Docs|language=en|access-date=2019-08-05}}</ref>
A '''[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DVSrT1_EP6A browser extension]''' is a [[software]] module for customizing a [[web browser]]. Browsers typically allow users to install a variety of extensions, including [[user interface]] modifications, [[HTTP cookie|cookie]] management, [[ad blocking]], and the custom [[userscript|scripting]] and [[Style sheet (web development)|styling]] of [[web page]]s.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Mozilla/Add-ons/WebExtensions/What_are_WebExtensions|title=What are extensions?|website=MDN Web Docs|language=en|access-date=2019-08-05}}</ref>


Browser [[plug-in (computing)|plug-ins]] are a different type of module and no longer supported by the major browsers.<ref name="mozwiki-plugin"/><ref>{{cite news |title=Why Browser Plug-Ins Are Going Away and What's Replacing Them |url=https://www.howtogeek.com/179213/why-browser-plug-ins-are-going-away-and-whats-replacing-them/ |access-date=6 June 2023 |publisher=howtogeek.com |date=8 January 2014}}</ref> One difference is that extensions are distributed as [[source code]], while plug-ins are [[executable]]s (i.e. [[object code]]).<ref name="mozwiki-plugin">{{Cite web |title=Plugin|url=https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Glossary/Plugin|access-date=2022-12-07|website=developer.mozilla.org |date=9 September 2022 |language=en-US}}</ref> The most popular browser, [[Google Chrome]],<ref>{{cite web |title=StatCounter Global Stats |url=https://gs.statcounter.com/ |website=StatCounter |access-date=11 November 2020}}</ref> has over 100,000 extensions available<ref>{{Cite web|last=Cimpanu|first=Catalin|title=Half of all Google Chrome extensions have fewer than 16 installs|url=https://www.zdnet.com/article/half-of-all-google-chrome-extensions-have-fewer-than-16-installs/|access-date=2021-02-19|website=ZDNet|language=en}}</ref> but stopped supporting plug-ins in 2020.<ref>{{cite web |title=Google Chrome 88 released: RIP Flash Player |url=https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/google/google-chrome-88-released-rip-flash-player-and-ftp-support/ |access-date=29 January 2021}}</ref>
Browser [[plug-in (computing)|plug-ins]] are a different type of module and no longer supported by the major browsers.<ref name="mozwiki-plugin"/><ref>{{cite news |title=Why Browser Plug-Ins Are Going Away and What's Replacing Them |url=https://www.howtogeek.com/179213/why-browser-plug-ins-are-going-away-and-whats-replacing-them/ |access-date=6 June 2023 |publisher=howtogeek.com |date=8 January 2014}}</ref> One difference is that extensions are distributed as [[source code]], while plug-ins are [[executable]]s (i.e. [[object code]]).<ref name="mozwiki-plugin">{{Cite web |title=Plugin|url=https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Glossary/Plugin|access-date=2022-12-07|website=developer.mozilla.org |date=9 September 2022 |language=en-US}}</ref> The most popular browser, [[Google Chrome]],<ref>{{cite web |title=StatCounter Global Stats |url=https://gs.statcounter.com/ |website=StatCounter |access-date=11 November 2020}}</ref> has over 100,000 extensions available<ref>{{Cite web|last=Cimpanu|first=Catalin|title=Half of all Google Chrome extensions have fewer than 16 installs|url=https://www.zdnet.com/article/half-of-all-google-chrome-extensions-have-fewer-than-16-installs/|access-date=2021-02-19|website=ZDNet|language=en}}</ref> but stopped supporting plug-ins in 2020.<ref>{{cite web |title=Google Chrome 88 released: RIP Flash Player |url=https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/google/google-chrome-88-released-rip-flash-player-and-ftp-support/ |access-date=29 January 2021}}</ref>

Action parameters

VariableValue
Edit count of the user (user_editcount)
null
Name of the user account (user_name)
'2A02:C7C:F229:E00:500D:D140:B9CA:7905'
Age of the user account (user_age)
0
Groups (including implicit) the user is in (user_groups)
[ 0 => '*' ]
Rights that the user has (user_rights)
[ 0 => 'createaccount', 1 => 'read', 2 => 'edit', 3 => 'createtalk', 4 => 'writeapi', 5 => 'viewmyprivateinfo', 6 => 'editmyprivateinfo', 7 => 'editmyoptions', 8 => 'abusefilter-log-detail', 9 => 'urlshortener-create-url', 10 => 'centralauth-merge', 11 => 'abusefilter-view', 12 => 'abusefilter-log', 13 => 'vipsscaler-test' ]
Whether the user is editing from mobile app (user_app)
false
Whether or not a user is editing through the mobile interface (user_mobile)
false
Page ID (page_id)
5183232
Page namespace (page_namespace)
0
Page title without namespace (page_title)
'Browser extension'
Full page title (page_prefixedtitle)
'Browser extension'
Edit protection level of the page (page_restrictions_edit)
[]
Last ten users to contribute to the page (page_recent_contributors)
[ 0 => 'Citation bot', 1 => 'Ahunt', 2 => 'Heathereller', 3 => 'Pmffl', 4 => 'C. A. Russell', 5 => 'AnomieBOT', 6 => 'Yappy2bhere', 7 => 'Wikipedialuva', 8 => '180.253.183.17', 9 => 'Tropicalkitty' ]
Page age in seconds (page_age)
545566056
Action (action)
'edit'
Edit summary/reason (summary)
'/* History */ '
Old content model (old_content_model)
'wikitext'
New content model (new_content_model)
'wikitext'
Old page wikitext, before the edit (old_wikitext)
'{{short description|Program that extends the functionality of a web browser}} A '''browser extension''' is a [[software]] module for customizing a [[web browser]]. Browsers typically allow users to install a variety of extensions, including [[user interface]] modifications, [[HTTP cookie|cookie]] management, [[ad blocking]], and the custom [[userscript|scripting]] and [[Style sheet (web development)|styling]] of [[web page]]s.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Mozilla/Add-ons/WebExtensions/What_are_WebExtensions|title=What are extensions?|website=MDN Web Docs|language=en|access-date=2019-08-05}}</ref> Browser [[plug-in (computing)|plug-ins]] are a different type of module and no longer supported by the major browsers.<ref name="mozwiki-plugin"/><ref>{{cite news |title=Why Browser Plug-Ins Are Going Away and What's Replacing Them |url=https://www.howtogeek.com/179213/why-browser-plug-ins-are-going-away-and-whats-replacing-them/ |access-date=6 June 2023 |publisher=howtogeek.com |date=8 January 2014}}</ref> One difference is that extensions are distributed as [[source code]], while plug-ins are [[executable]]s (i.e. [[object code]]).<ref name="mozwiki-plugin">{{Cite web |title=Plugin|url=https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Glossary/Plugin|access-date=2022-12-07|website=developer.mozilla.org |date=9 September 2022 |language=en-US}}</ref> The most popular browser, [[Google Chrome]],<ref>{{cite web |title=StatCounter Global Stats |url=https://gs.statcounter.com/ |website=StatCounter |access-date=11 November 2020}}</ref> has over 100,000 extensions available<ref>{{Cite web|last=Cimpanu|first=Catalin|title=Half of all Google Chrome extensions have fewer than 16 installs|url=https://www.zdnet.com/article/half-of-all-google-chrome-extensions-have-fewer-than-16-installs/|access-date=2021-02-19|website=ZDNet|language=en}}</ref> but stopped supporting plug-ins in 2020.<ref>{{cite web |title=Google Chrome 88 released: RIP Flash Player |url=https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/google/google-chrome-88-released-rip-flash-player-and-ftp-support/ |access-date=29 January 2021}}</ref> ==History== [[Internet Explorer]] was the first major browser to support extensions, with the release of [[Internet Explorer 4|version 4]] in 1999.<ref>{{cite web|title=Browser Extensions| date=15 August 2017 |url=https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/previous-versions/windows/internet-explorer/ie-developer/platform-apis/aa753620(v=vs.85)|access-date =2020-09-29}}</ref> [[Firefox]] has supported extensions since its launch in 2004. [[Opera (web browser)|Opera]] and Chrome began supporting extensions in 2009,<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Edwards |first1=Lin |last2=Phys.org |title=Google Chrome extensions to be officially released |url=https://phys.org/news/2009-12-google-chrome-extensions.html |access-date=2023-04-27 |website=phys.org |language=en}}</ref> and [[Safari (web browser)|Safari]] did so the following year. [[Microsoft Edge]] added extension support in 2016.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Bright|first1=Peter|title=Edge browser now has extensions in the latest Windows 10 preview|url=https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2016/03/edge-browser-now-has-extensions-in-the-latest-windows-10-preview/|website=[[Ars Technica]]|publisher=[[Condé Nast]]|date=18 March 2016}}</ref> ===API conformity=== In 2015, a community working group formed under the [[World Wide Web Consortium|W3C]] to create a single standard [[application programming interface]] (API) for browser extensions.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://browserext.github.io/charter/|title=Browser Extension Community Group Charter — Browser Extension Community Group|website=browserext.github.io|access-date=2018-12-14}}</ref> While that goal is unlikely to be achieved,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://lists.w3.org/Archives/Public/public-browserext/2017Jul/0001.html|title=Re: One question from Florian Rivoal on 2017-07-29 (public-browserext@w3.org from July 2017)|website=lists.w3.org|access-date=2018-12-14}}</ref> the majority of browsers already use the same or very similar APIs due to the popularity of [[Google Chrome]]. Chrome was the first browser with an extension API based solely on [[HTML]], [[Cascading Style Sheets|CSS]], and [[JavaScript]]. Beta testing for this capability began in 2009,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://blog.chromium.org/2009/09/extensions-status-on-runway-getting.html|title=Extensions Status: On the Runway, Getting Ready for Take-Off|website=Chromium Blog|language=en|access-date=2018-12-14}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://blog.chromium.org/2009/12/extensions-beta-launched-with-over-300.html|title=Extensions beta launched, with over 300 extensions!|website=Chromium Blog|language=en|access-date=2018-12-14}}</ref> and the following year [[Google]] opened the [[Chrome Web Store]]. As of June 2012, there were 750 million total installations of extensions and other content hosted on the store.<ref>{{cite web|author=Vikas SN |url=http://www.medianama.com/2012/06/223-the-lowdown-google-io-2012-day-2-310m-chrome-users-425m-gmail-more/ |title=The Lowdown: Google I/O 2012 Day 2 – 310M Chrome Users, 425M Gmail & More |publisher=MediaNama |date=2012-06-29 |access-date=2013-06-14}}</ref> In the same year, Chrome overtook [[Internet Explorer]] as the world's most popular browser,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.digitaltrends.com/web/internet-explorer-usage-to-plummet-below-50-percent-by-mid-2012/attachment/net-applications-browser-market/ |title=Internet Explorer usage to plummet below 50 percent by mid-2012 |date=3 September 2011 |access-date=4 September 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111120200340/http://www.digitaltrends.com/web/internet-explorer-usage-to-plummet-below-50-percent-by-mid-2012/attachment/net-applications-browser-market/ |archive-date=20 November 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref> and its [[usage share of web browsers|market share]] continued to grow, reaching 60% in 2018.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://gs.statcounter.com/browser-market-share#monthly-201809-201809-bar|title=Browser Market Share Worldwide {{!}} StatCounter Global Stats|last=Statcounter|website=gs.statcounter.com|language=en|access-date=October 20, 2018}}</ref> Because of Chrome's success, [[Microsoft]] created a very similar extension API for its [[Microsoft Edge|Edge]] browser, with the goal of making it easy for Chrome extension developers to port their work to Edge.<ref>{{cite web |title=Porting an extension from Chrome to Microsoft Edge |url=https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-edge/extensions/guides/porting-chrome-extensions |publisher=Microsoft |access-date=30 December 2018}}</ref> But after three years Edge still had a disappointingly small market share, so Microsoft rebuilt it as a [[Chromium (web browser)|Chromium]]-based browser.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://blogs.windows.com/windowsexperience/2018/12/06/microsoft-edge-making-the-web-better-through-more-open-source-collaboration/|title=Microsoft Edge: Making the web better through more open source collaboration|date=2018-12-06|website=Windows Experience Blog|language=en-US|access-date=2018-12-14}}</ref><ref name="computerworld">{{Cite web|url=https://www.computerworld.com/article/3325333/web-browsers/with-move-to-rebuild-edge-atop-googles-chromium-microsoft-raises-white-flag-in-browser-war.html|title=With move to rebuild Edge atop Google's Chromium, Microsoft raises white flag in browser war|last=Keizer|first=Gregg|date=2018-12-08|website=Computerworld|language=en|access-date=2018-12-14}}</ref> (Chromium is Google's open-source project that serves as the functional core of Chrome and [[Chromium_(web_browser)#Browsers_based_on_Chromium|many other]] browsers.) Now that Edge has the same API as Chrome, extensions can be installed directly from the Chrome Web Store.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/4538971/microsoft-edge-add-or-remove-extensions|title=Add or remove extensions in Microsoft Edge|website=Microsoft|language=en|access-date=2020-06-08}}</ref> With its own market share in decline, [[Mozilla]] also decided to conform. In 2015, the organization announced that the long-standing [[XUL]] and [[XPCOM]] extension capabilities of [[Firefox]] would be replaced with a less-permissive API very similar to Chrome's.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://blog.mozilla.org/addons/2015/08/21/the-future-of-developing-firefox-add-ons/|title=The Future of Developing Firefox Add-ons|website=Mozilla Add-ons Blog|date=21 August 2015 |language=en-US|access-date=2018-12-15}}</ref> This change was enacted in 2017.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://blog.mozilla.org/addons/2017/08/10/upcoming-changes-compatibility/|title=Upcoming Changes in Compatibility Features|website=Mozilla Add-ons Blog|date=10 August 2017 |language=en-US|access-date=2018-12-15}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ghacks.net/2017/08/12/how-to-enable-legacy-extensions-in-firefox-57/|title=How to enable legacy extensions in Firefox 57 - gHacks Tech News|website=www.ghacks.net|date=12 August 2017|access-date=2018-12-14}}</ref> Firefox extensions are now largely compatible with their Chrome counterparts.<ref>{{cite web |title=Porting a Google Chrome extension |url=https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Mozilla/Add-ons/WebExtensions/Porting_a_Google_Chrome_extension |publisher=Mozilla |access-date=30 December 2018}}</ref> Until 2020, [[Apple Inc.|Apple]] was the lone major exception to this trend, but with the release of Safari 14 for macOS, the browser added support for extensions conforming to the Chrome API.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020 |title=Safari 14 Release Notes |url=https://developer.apple.com/documentation/safari-release-notes/safari-14-release-notes |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220323052246/https://developer.apple.com/documentation/safari-release-notes/safari-14-release-notes |archive-date=March 23, 2022 |access-date=April 4, 2022}}</ref> The following year, extensions were enabled in the iOS version for the first time.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ortolani |first=Parker |date=2021-09-21 |title=Here are the best new Safari extensions to download for iOS 15 and iPadOS 15 (Updated) |url=https://9to5mac.com/2021/09/21/here-are-the-best-new-safari-extensions-to-download-for-ios-15-and-ipados-15/ |access-date=2022-04-05 |website=9to5Mac |language=en-US}}</ref> ==Unwanted behavior== Browser extensions typically have access to sensitive data, such as [[browsing history]], and they have the ability to alter some browser settings, add user interface items, or replace website content.<ref>{{cite web |title=Protect User Privacy |url=https://developer.chrome.com/extensions/user_privacy |website=Google Chrome Docs|date=18 March 2018 |access-date=2018-12-15}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Mozilla/Add-ons/AMO/Policy/Reviews|title=Add-on Policies|website=MDN Web Docs|language=en-US|access-date=2018-12-15}}</ref> As a result, there have been instances of [[malware]], so users need to be cautious about what extensions they install.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ghacks.net/2018/01/16/security-firm-icebrg-uncovers-4-malicious-chrome-extensions/|title=Security firm ICEBRG uncovers 4 malicious Chrome extensions - gHacks Tech News|website=www.ghacks.net|date=16 January 2018|access-date=2018-12-15}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ghacks.net/2018/05/11/googles-bad-track-record-of-malicious-chrome-extensions-continues/|title=Google's bad track record of malicious Chrome extensions continues - gHacks Tech News|website=www.ghacks.net|date=11 May 2018|access-date=2018-12-15}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/chrome-extension-devs-use-sneaky-landing-pages-after-google-bans-inline-installs/|title=Chrome Extension Devs Use Sneaky Landing Pages after Google Bans Inline Installs|website=BleepingComputer|language=en-us|access-date=2018-12-15}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2018/01/500000-chrome-users-fall-prey-to-malicious-extensions-in-google-web-store/ |title=Google Chrome extensions with 500,000 downloads found to be malicious |date=17 January 2018 |publisher=Ars Technica |access-date=2018-12-30}}</ref> There have also been cases of [[application software|applications]] installing browser extensions [[potentially unwanted program|without the user's knowledge]], making it hard for the user to uninstall the unwanted extension.<ref name="PUP Criteria">{{cite web|title=PUP Criteria|url=https://www.malwarebytes.org/pup/|publisher=Malwarebytes|access-date=13 February 2015}}</ref> Some [[Google Chrome]] extension developers have sold their extensions to third-parties who then incorporated [[adware]].<ref name="ars-adwareacquire">{{cite web|title=Adware vendors buy Chrome Extensions to send ad- and malware-filled updates|url=https://arstechnica.com/security/2014/01/malware-vendors-buy-chrome-extensions-to-send-adware-filled-updates/|work=Ars Technica|date=17 January 2014|access-date=20 January 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.schneier.com/blog/archives/2014/01/adware_vendors.html|title=Adware Vendors Buy and Abuse Chrome Extensions|author=Bruce Schneier|date=21 Jan 2014}}</ref> In 2014, [[Google]] removed two such extensions from the [[Chrome Web Store]] after many users complained about unwanted pop-up ads.<ref name="Google Removes Two Chrome Extenions">{{cite news|last=Winkler|first=Rolfe|title=Google Removes Two Chrome Extensions Amid Ad Uproar|url=https://blogs.wsj.com/digits/2014/01/19/google-removes-two-chrome-extensions-amid-ad-uproar/|work=blogs.wsj.com|date=19 January 2014|publisher=Wall Street Journal|access-date=17 March 2014}}</ref> The following year, Google acknowledged that about five percent of visits to its own websites had been altered by extensions with adware.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://static.googleusercontent.com/media/research.google.com/en//pubs/archive/43346.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150605041757/https://static.googleusercontent.com/media/research.google.com/en//pubs/archive/43346.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date=2015-06-05 |title=Ad Injection at Scale: Assessing Deceptive Advertisement Modifications }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.pcworld.com/article/2920012/superfish-injects-ads-in-one-in-25-google-page-views.html |title=Superfish injects ads into 5 percent of all Google page views |website=[[PC World]] |publisher=[[IDG]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.cio.com.au/article/574450/superfish-injects-ads-one-25-google-page-views/ |title=Superfish injects ads in one in 25 Google page views |website=CIO |publisher=[[IDG]] |access-date=2015-06-16 |archive-date=2019-12-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191211155152/https://www.cio.com.au/article/574450/superfish-injects-ads-one-25-google-page-views/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> ==References== {{Reflist}} ==External links== *Extension API documentation from [https://developer.chrome.com/extensions Google], [https://developer.apple.com/documentation/safariservices/safari_app_extensions/ Apple], [https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Mozilla/Add-ons/WebExtensions Mozilla], [https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-edge/extensions Microsoft], [https://dev.opera.com/extensions/ Opera] *Official extension stores for [https://chrome.google.com/webstore/category/extensions Chrome], [https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/extensions/ Firefox], [https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/store/collections/edgeextensions/ Edge], [https://addons.opera.com Opera] {{Web browsers|fsp}} {{Web interfaces}} [[Category:Software add-ons]] [[Category:Web browsers]]'
New page wikitext, after the edit (new_wikitext)
'{{short description|Program that extends the functionality of a web browser}} A '''[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DVSrT1_EP6A browser extension]''' is a [[software]] module for customizing a [[web browser]]. Browsers typically allow users to install a variety of extensions, including [[user interface]] modifications, [[HTTP cookie|cookie]] management, [[ad blocking]], and the custom [[userscript|scripting]] and [[Style sheet (web development)|styling]] of [[web page]]s.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Mozilla/Add-ons/WebExtensions/What_are_WebExtensions|title=What are extensions?|website=MDN Web Docs|language=en|access-date=2019-08-05}}</ref> Browser [[plug-in (computing)|plug-ins]] are a different type of module and no longer supported by the major browsers.<ref name="mozwiki-plugin"/><ref>{{cite news |title=Why Browser Plug-Ins Are Going Away and What's Replacing Them |url=https://www.howtogeek.com/179213/why-browser-plug-ins-are-going-away-and-whats-replacing-them/ |access-date=6 June 2023 |publisher=howtogeek.com |date=8 January 2014}}</ref> One difference is that extensions are distributed as [[source code]], while plug-ins are [[executable]]s (i.e. [[object code]]).<ref name="mozwiki-plugin">{{Cite web |title=Plugin|url=https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Glossary/Plugin|access-date=2022-12-07|website=developer.mozilla.org |date=9 September 2022 |language=en-US}}</ref> The most popular browser, [[Google Chrome]],<ref>{{cite web |title=StatCounter Global Stats |url=https://gs.statcounter.com/ |website=StatCounter |access-date=11 November 2020}}</ref> has over 100,000 extensions available<ref>{{Cite web|last=Cimpanu|first=Catalin|title=Half of all Google Chrome extensions have fewer than 16 installs|url=https://www.zdnet.com/article/half-of-all-google-chrome-extensions-have-fewer-than-16-installs/|access-date=2021-02-19|website=ZDNet|language=en}}</ref> but stopped supporting plug-ins in 2020.<ref>{{cite web |title=Google Chrome 88 released: RIP Flash Player |url=https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/google/google-chrome-88-released-rip-flash-player-and-ftp-support/ |access-date=29 January 2021}}</ref> ==History== [[Internet Explorer]] was the first major browser to support extensions, with the release of [[Internet Explorer 4|version 4]] in 1999.<ref>{{cite web|title=Browser Extensions| date=15 August 2017 |url=https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/previous-versions/windows/internet-explorer/ie-developer/platform-apis/aa753620(v=vs.85)|access-date =2020-09-29}}</ref> [[Firefox]] has supported extensions since its launch in 2004. [[Opera (web browser)|Opera]] and Chrome began supporting extensions in 2009,<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Edwards |first1=Lin |last2=Phys.org |title=Google Chrome extensions to be officially released |url=https://phys.org/news/2009-12-google-chrome-extensions.html |access-date=2023-04-27 |website=phys.org |language=en}}</ref> and [[Safari (web browser)|Safari]] did so the following year. [[Microsoft Edge]] added extension support in 2016.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Bright|first1=Peter|title=Edge browser now has extensions in the latest Windows 10 preview|url=https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2016/03/edge-browser-now-has-extensions-in-the-latest-windows-10-preview/|website=[[Ars Technica]]|publisher=[[Condé Nast]]|date=18 March 2016}}</ref> ===API conformity=== In 2015, a community working group formed under the [[World Wide Web Consortium|W3C]] to create a single standard [[application programming interface]] (API) for browser extensions.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://browserext.github.io/charter/|title=Browser Extension Community Group Charter — Browser Extension Community Group|website=browserext.github.io|access-date=2018-12-14}}</ref> While that goal is unlikely to be achieved,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://lists.w3.org/Archives/Public/public-browserext/2017Jul/0001.html|title=Re: One question from Florian Rivoal on 2017-07-29 (public-browserext@w3.org from July 2017)|website=lists.w3.org|access-date=2018-12-14}}</ref> the majority of browsers already use the same or very similar APIs due to the popularity of [[Google Chrome]]. Chrome was the first browser with an extension API based solely on [[HTML]], [[Cascading Style Sheets|CSS]], and [[JavaScript]]. Beta testing for this capability began in 2009,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://blog.chromium.org/2009/09/extensions-status-on-runway-getting.html|title=Extensions Status: On the Runway, Getting Ready for Take-Off|website=Chromium Blog|language=en|access-date=2018-12-14}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://blog.chromium.org/2009/12/extensions-beta-launched-with-over-300.html|title=Extensions beta launched, with over 300 extensions!|website=Chromium Blog|language=en|access-date=2018-12-14}}</ref> and the following year [[Google]] opened the [[Chrome Web Store]]. As of June 2012, there were 750 million total installations of extensions and other content hosted on the store.<ref>{{cite web|author=Vikas SN |url=http://www.medianama.com/2012/06/223-the-lowdown-google-io-2012-day-2-310m-chrome-users-425m-gmail-more/ |title=The Lowdown: Google I/O 2012 Day 2 – 310M Chrome Users, 425M Gmail & More |publisher=MediaNama |date=2012-06-29 |access-date=2013-06-14}}</ref> In the same year, Chrome overtook [[Internet Explorer]] as the world's most popular browser,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.digitaltrends.com/web/internet-explorer-usage-to-plummet-below-50-percent-by-mid-2012/attachment/net-applications-browser-market/ |title=Internet Explorer usage to plummet below 50 percent by mid-2012 |date=3 September 2011 |access-date=4 September 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111120200340/http://www.digitaltrends.com/web/internet-explorer-usage-to-plummet-below-50-percent-by-mid-2012/attachment/net-applications-browser-market/ |archive-date=20 November 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref> and its [[usage share of web browsers|market share]] continued to grow, reaching 60% in 2018.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://gs.statcounter.com/browser-market-share#monthly-201809-201809-bar|title=Browser Market Share Worldwide {{!}} StatCounter Global Stats|last=Statcounter|website=gs.statcounter.com|language=en|access-date=October 20, 2018}}</ref> Because of Chrome's success, [[Microsoft]] created a very similar extension API for its [[Microsoft Edge|Edge]] browser, with the goal of making it easy for Chrome extension developers to port their work to Edge.<ref>{{cite web |title=Porting an extension from Chrome to Microsoft Edge |url=https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-edge/extensions/guides/porting-chrome-extensions |publisher=Microsoft |access-date=30 December 2018}}</ref> But after three years Edge still had a disappointingly small market share, so Microsoft rebuilt it as a [[Chromium (web browser)|Chromium]]-based browser.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://blogs.windows.com/windowsexperience/2018/12/06/microsoft-edge-making-the-web-better-through-more-open-source-collaboration/|title=Microsoft Edge: Making the web better through more open source collaboration|date=2018-12-06|website=Windows Experience Blog|language=en-US|access-date=2018-12-14}}</ref><ref name="computerworld">{{Cite web|url=https://www.computerworld.com/article/3325333/web-browsers/with-move-to-rebuild-edge-atop-googles-chromium-microsoft-raises-white-flag-in-browser-war.html|title=With move to rebuild Edge atop Google's Chromium, Microsoft raises white flag in browser war|last=Keizer|first=Gregg|date=2018-12-08|website=Computerworld|language=en|access-date=2018-12-14}}</ref> (Chromium is Google's open-source project that serves as the functional core of Chrome and [[Chromium_(web_browser)#Browsers_based_on_Chromium|many other]] browsers.) Now that Edge has the same API as Chrome, extensions can be installed directly from the Chrome Web Store.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/4538971/microsoft-edge-add-or-remove-extensions|title=Add or remove extensions in Microsoft Edge|website=Microsoft|language=en|access-date=2020-06-08}}</ref> With its own market share in decline, [[Mozilla]] also decided to conform. In 2015, the organization announced that the long-standing [[XUL]] and [[XPCOM]] extension capabilities of [[Firefox]] would be replaced with a less-permissive API very similar to Chrome's.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://blog.mozilla.org/addons/2015/08/21/the-future-of-developing-firefox-add-ons/|title=The Future of Developing Firefox Add-ons|website=Mozilla Add-ons Blog|date=21 August 2015 |language=en-US|access-date=2018-12-15}}</ref> This change was enacted in 2017.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://blog.mozilla.org/addons/2017/08/10/upcoming-changes-compatibility/|title=Upcoming Changes in Compatibility Features|website=Mozilla Add-ons Blog|date=10 August 2017 |language=en-US|access-date=2018-12-15}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ghacks.net/2017/08/12/how-to-enable-legacy-extensions-in-firefox-57/|title=How to enable legacy extensions in Firefox 57 - gHacks Tech News|website=www.ghacks.net|date=12 August 2017|access-date=2018-12-14}}</ref> Firefox extensions are now largely compatible with their Chrome counterparts.<ref>{{cite web |title=Porting a Google Chrome extension |url=https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Mozilla/Add-ons/WebExtensions/Porting_a_Google_Chrome_extension |publisher=Mozilla |access-date=30 December 2018}}</ref> Until 2020, [[Apple Inc.|Apple]] was the lone major exception to this trend, but with the release of Safari 14 for macOS, the browser added support for extensions conforming to the Chrome API.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020 |title=Safari 14 Release Notes |url=https://developer.apple.com/documentation/safari-release-notes/safari-14-release-notes |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220323052246/https://developer.apple.com/documentation/safari-release-notes/safari-14-release-notes |archive-date=March 23, 2022 |access-date=April 4, 2022}}</ref> The following year, extensions were enabled in the iOS version for the first time.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ortolani |first=Parker |date=2021-09-21 |title=Here are the best new Safari extensions to download for iOS 15 and iPadOS 15 (Updated) |url=https://9to5mac.com/2021/09/21/here-are-the-best-new-safari-extensions-to-download-for-ios-15-and-ipados-15/ |access-date=2022-04-05 |website=9to5Mac |language=en-US}}</ref> ==Unwanted behavior== Browser extensions typically have access to sensitive data, such as [[browsing history]], and they have the ability to alter some browser settings, add user interface items, or replace website content.<ref>{{cite web |title=Protect User Privacy |url=https://developer.chrome.com/extensions/user_privacy |website=Google Chrome Docs|date=18 March 2018 |access-date=2018-12-15}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Mozilla/Add-ons/AMO/Policy/Reviews|title=Add-on Policies|website=MDN Web Docs|language=en-US|access-date=2018-12-15}}</ref> As a result, there have been instances of [[malware]], so users need to be cautious about what extensions they install.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ghacks.net/2018/01/16/security-firm-icebrg-uncovers-4-malicious-chrome-extensions/|title=Security firm ICEBRG uncovers 4 malicious Chrome extensions - gHacks Tech News|website=www.ghacks.net|date=16 January 2018|access-date=2018-12-15}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ghacks.net/2018/05/11/googles-bad-track-record-of-malicious-chrome-extensions-continues/|title=Google's bad track record of malicious Chrome extensions continues - gHacks Tech News|website=www.ghacks.net|date=11 May 2018|access-date=2018-12-15}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/chrome-extension-devs-use-sneaky-landing-pages-after-google-bans-inline-installs/|title=Chrome Extension Devs Use Sneaky Landing Pages after Google Bans Inline Installs|website=BleepingComputer|language=en-us|access-date=2018-12-15}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2018/01/500000-chrome-users-fall-prey-to-malicious-extensions-in-google-web-store/ |title=Google Chrome extensions with 500,000 downloads found to be malicious |date=17 January 2018 |publisher=Ars Technica |access-date=2018-12-30}}</ref> There have also been cases of [[application software|applications]] installing browser extensions [[potentially unwanted program|without the user's knowledge]], making it hard for the user to uninstall the unwanted extension.<ref name="PUP Criteria">{{cite web|title=PUP Criteria|url=https://www.malwarebytes.org/pup/|publisher=Malwarebytes|access-date=13 February 2015}}</ref> Some [[Google Chrome]] extension developers have sold their extensions to third-parties who then incorporated [[adware]].<ref name="ars-adwareacquire">{{cite web|title=Adware vendors buy Chrome Extensions to send ad- and malware-filled updates|url=https://arstechnica.com/security/2014/01/malware-vendors-buy-chrome-extensions-to-send-adware-filled-updates/|work=Ars Technica|date=17 January 2014|access-date=20 January 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.schneier.com/blog/archives/2014/01/adware_vendors.html|title=Adware Vendors Buy and Abuse Chrome Extensions|author=Bruce Schneier|date=21 Jan 2014}}</ref> In 2014, [[Google]] removed two such extensions from the [[Chrome Web Store]] after many users complained about unwanted pop-up ads.<ref name="Google Removes Two Chrome Extenions">{{cite news|last=Winkler|first=Rolfe|title=Google Removes Two Chrome Extensions Amid Ad Uproar|url=https://blogs.wsj.com/digits/2014/01/19/google-removes-two-chrome-extensions-amid-ad-uproar/|work=blogs.wsj.com|date=19 January 2014|publisher=Wall Street Journal|access-date=17 March 2014}}</ref> The following year, Google acknowledged that about five percent of visits to its own websites had been altered by extensions with adware.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://static.googleusercontent.com/media/research.google.com/en//pubs/archive/43346.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150605041757/https://static.googleusercontent.com/media/research.google.com/en//pubs/archive/43346.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date=2015-06-05 |title=Ad Injection at Scale: Assessing Deceptive Advertisement Modifications }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.pcworld.com/article/2920012/superfish-injects-ads-in-one-in-25-google-page-views.html |title=Superfish injects ads into 5 percent of all Google page views |website=[[PC World]] |publisher=[[IDG]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.cio.com.au/article/574450/superfish-injects-ads-one-25-google-page-views/ |title=Superfish injects ads in one in 25 Google page views |website=CIO |publisher=[[IDG]] |access-date=2015-06-16 |archive-date=2019-12-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191211155152/https://www.cio.com.au/article/574450/superfish-injects-ads-one-25-google-page-views/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> ==References== {{Reflist}} ==External links== *Extension API documentation from [https://developer.chrome.com/extensions Google], [https://developer.apple.com/documentation/safariservices/safari_app_extensions/ Apple], [https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Mozilla/Add-ons/WebExtensions Mozilla], [https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-edge/extensions Microsoft], [https://dev.opera.com/extensions/ Opera] *Official extension stores for [https://chrome.google.com/webstore/category/extensions Chrome], [https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/extensions/ Firefox], [https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/store/collections/edgeextensions/ Edge], [https://addons.opera.com Opera] {{Web browsers|fsp}} {{Web interfaces}} [[Category:Software add-ons]] [[Category:Web browsers]]'
Unified diff of changes made by edit (edit_diff)
'@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@ {{short description|Program that extends the functionality of a web browser}} -A '''browser extension''' is a [[software]] module for customizing a [[web browser]]. Browsers typically allow users to install a variety of extensions, including [[user interface]] modifications, [[HTTP cookie|cookie]] management, [[ad blocking]], and the custom [[userscript|scripting]] and [[Style sheet (web development)|styling]] of [[web page]]s.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Mozilla/Add-ons/WebExtensions/What_are_WebExtensions|title=What are extensions?|website=MDN Web Docs|language=en|access-date=2019-08-05}}</ref> +A '''[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DVSrT1_EP6A browser extension]''' is a [[software]] module for customizing a [[web browser]]. Browsers typically allow users to install a variety of extensions, including [[user interface]] modifications, [[HTTP cookie|cookie]] management, [[ad blocking]], and the custom [[userscript|scripting]] and [[Style sheet (web development)|styling]] of [[web page]]s.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Mozilla/Add-ons/WebExtensions/What_are_WebExtensions|title=What are extensions?|website=MDN Web Docs|language=en|access-date=2019-08-05}}</ref> Browser [[plug-in (computing)|plug-ins]] are a different type of module and no longer supported by the major browsers.<ref name="mozwiki-plugin"/><ref>{{cite news |title=Why Browser Plug-Ins Are Going Away and What's Replacing Them |url=https://www.howtogeek.com/179213/why-browser-plug-ins-are-going-away-and-whats-replacing-them/ |access-date=6 June 2023 |publisher=howtogeek.com |date=8 January 2014}}</ref> One difference is that extensions are distributed as [[source code]], while plug-ins are [[executable]]s (i.e. [[object code]]).<ref name="mozwiki-plugin">{{Cite web |title=Plugin|url=https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Glossary/Plugin|access-date=2022-12-07|website=developer.mozilla.org |date=9 September 2022 |language=en-US}}</ref> The most popular browser, [[Google Chrome]],<ref>{{cite web |title=StatCounter Global Stats |url=https://gs.statcounter.com/ |website=StatCounter |access-date=11 November 2020}}</ref> has over 100,000 extensions available<ref>{{Cite web|last=Cimpanu|first=Catalin|title=Half of all Google Chrome extensions have fewer than 16 installs|url=https://www.zdnet.com/article/half-of-all-google-chrome-extensions-have-fewer-than-16-installs/|access-date=2021-02-19|website=ZDNet|language=en}}</ref> but stopped supporting plug-ins in 2020.<ref>{{cite web |title=Google Chrome 88 released: RIP Flash Player |url=https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/google/google-chrome-88-released-rip-flash-player-and-ftp-support/ |access-date=29 January 2021}}</ref> '
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[ 0 => 'A '''[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DVSrT1_EP6A browser extension]''' is a [[software]] module for customizing a [[web browser]]. Browsers typically allow users to install a variety of extensions, including [[user interface]] modifications, [[HTTP cookie|cookie]] management, [[ad blocking]], and the custom [[userscript|scripting]] and [[Style sheet (web development)|styling]] of [[web page]]s.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Mozilla/Add-ons/WebExtensions/What_are_WebExtensions|title=What are extensions?|website=MDN Web Docs|language=en|access-date=2019-08-05}}</ref>' ]
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[ 0 => 'A '''browser extension''' is a [[software]] module for customizing a [[web browser]]. Browsers typically allow users to install a variety of extensions, including [[user interface]] modifications, [[HTTP cookie|cookie]] management, [[ad blocking]], and the custom [[userscript|scripting]] and [[Style sheet (web development)|styling]] of [[web page]]s.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Mozilla/Add-ons/WebExtensions/What_are_WebExtensions|title=What are extensions?|website=MDN Web Docs|language=en|access-date=2019-08-05}}</ref>' ]
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