Technology

I feel like browser extensions are one of the worst things to have come to the internet in terms of security. People just install them like they're nothing, assuming they're safe and secure because they're on the extension store - not a terrible assumption for the average person, tbf.

Basically every single extension you install is like "hey give me access to everything you type and everything you click on and every site you visit, and I'll change every instance of the word "Elon" to "fElon" for you. Sound fair?", and everyone just goes "Hell yeah! Let's do it!".

Am I the only one that sees this shit and thinks:

We are entering an age of very, very inefficient software, which is like a new layer to enshitification.

And this is why I am so obnoxious any time someone says "I found this plugin to block fandom wikis" or "I have this plugin to fix youtube embeds".

Code is only as safe as the people you trust to review it. And no, being open source doesn't matter in that regard. Yes, it theoretically increases the number of eyes on but how many of those eyes who ACTUALLY look at the code are doing it with every release AND understand how to spot a vulnerability or a... whatever this is.

Same with VPNs. NEVER trust a VPN. And sure as fuck never use a free one for anything remotely sensitive. Understand what your risk of exposure is and that, at the best of times, you are trusting a company to be telling the truth that they aren't keeping a log of every single thing you nutted to.

And before someone says "That is why I do everything over tor!": Maybe also understand the concept of digital fingerprints and WHY it is that Google is able to know someone is pregnant even before they are late.

Understand the risks and consequences of every action you take and act accordingly. And understand that there really is no one size fits all solution.

1. People who value their privacy (or "have something to hide") have a need of a service that provides anonymity
2. This turns said service in the ideal place to start any and all surveillance because your subjects have already self-selected for being "interesting" (especially if you intend to go after low hanging fruit)
3. Therefore I must conclude that people using VPNs and TOR, no matter how legitimate their reasons, are in fact advertising that they have something to hide which current status quo is very interested in knowing...

Chrome Vpn = virulent prying nuisance