Privacy Test is a simple yet powerful tool for Google Chrome and Chromium-based web browsers to help you improve data protection, privacy and security, and prevent your online activity from being tracked. Here, we will show you all the basics to help you get started with the Privacy Test browser extension.
Pic.1 Pin the Privacy Test icon
After the installation, add the Privacy Test icon to your browser's toolbar so you always have quick access to privacy and data protection features.
In Google Chrome and Chromium-based web browsers, click Extensions 1 (Pic.1) in the upper right corner of your browser and select Pin 2 next to the extension name.
Pic.2 The Safe Browsing status
Safe Browsing is a security service built into Chrome that helps protect users online from phishing attacks, web threats such as malware, and unwanted software, and notifies users of potential harm.
By clicking "Safe Browsing Enabled" 1 (Pic.2), you can quickly check and, if necessary, change the Safe Browsing protection level from "Standard" to "Enhanced."
Malicious extensions or unwanted software can disable this service without your knowledge and steal your personal information when you visit a specially crafted website.
To protect your data, Privacy Test constantly monitors the status of the Safe Browsing service and, if it detects that the service is disabled, informs you by changing the color of the icon in the toolbar to red
If you see that the Privacy Test icon has changed to red, immediately click on the icon, select "Safe Browsing Disabled," and turn on "Standard" or "Enhanced" protection.
Pic.3 Your IP address
With the Privacy Test browser extension installed, you can not only quickly check your IP address and copy it 2 (Pic.3) but also get more detailed information by clicking on your IP address 1 or "RUN PRIVACY TEST…"
The detailed information includes:
Info about your location—IP address, country, city, region, latitude and longitude, currency, phone prefix, ZIP code, Internet Service Provider (ISP) name, and local time.
Info about where you're logged in—Google, Facebook, and Twitter accounts.
Info about your system—webcam, microphone, battery level, CPU count, memory, operating system, network speed, and screen resolution.
Info about your web browser—version, incognito mode, zoom level, and DoNotTrack status.
Pic.4 Website in the Active Tab
To ensure your privacy and security online, Privacy Test provides more information about the websites you visit.
The extension indicates if the site is safe or not 6 (Pic.4), and if necessary, you can "Scan" the site on www.virustotal.com by clicking the scan icon 3
If you want to know what data the site has stored in your browser, just click the "Cookie" icon 2 ; then, you can clear this data if you wish.
To find out which web technologies a site uses, click on the site's link 1 . To copy the site's IP address, simply click the "Copy" icon 4 , and clicking on the "Location" icon 5 will give you more information about the site's IP address.
Also, if you want to see what images are in Google search about this site, click on the favicon 7 .
Pic.5 List of sideloaded extensions
Sideloaded extensions are extensions that have not been installed from an official source, such as the Chrome Web Store or the Microsoft Add-ons Gallery, and have not been tested and approved by a qualified Chrome or Microsoft team.
In addition, they can be installed by malicious software without your knowledge or permission. Therefore, using these extensions may compromise your security and privacy.
The privacy test will detect and show you a list of sideloaded extensions and give you control over them.
By pressing the On/Off toggle switch 2 (Pic.5), you can quickly disable or enable an extension.
To find out what permissions and access to your data an extension has, just click on its name 1 , and then check everything carefully.
Clicking the icon 3 opens the extension's landing page in the Chrome Web Store or the Microsoft Add-ons Gallery, if one exists.
Hope this guide will help you to use Privacy Test efficiently and will increase your level of personal privacy and safety.
Do you have related questions, suggestions, concerns, or just don't see a feature you think would be useful? We would love to hear it! Please contact us via the feedback form or reach out to us directly at support@hotcleaner.com
