An intensive analysis of security and privacy browser add-ons

Abstract

Browsers enable the user to surf over the Internet and access web sites that may include social media, email service, etc. However, such an activity incorporates various web threats (e.g. tracking, malicious content, etc.) that may imperil the user’s data and any sensitive information involved. Therefore, web browsers offer pre-installed security controls to protect users from these threats. Third-party browser software (i.e. add-ons) is also available that enhances these pre-installed security controls, or substitutes them. In this paper, we examine the available security controls that exist in modern browsers to reveal any gaps in the offered security protection. We also study the available security and privacy add-ons and observe whether the above mentioned gaps (i.e. when a security control is unavailable) are covered or need to be revisited.