How to Install Browser Extensions for Productivity

Install in Google Chrome

• Open Chrome Web Store: chrome.google.com/webstore
• Search for extension name in search bar
• Click extension from results
• Click blue "Add to Chrome" button
• Review permissions, click "Add extension" to confirm
• Extension icon appears in toolbar (top right)

Install in Microsoft Edge

• Visit Edge Add-ons: microsoftedge.microsoft.com/addons
• Or use Chrome Web Store (Edge supports Chrome extensions)
• Search for extension
• Click "Get" button
• Confirm permissions
• Extension installed and appears in toolbar

Install in Firefox

• Visit Firefox Add-ons: addons.mozilla.org
• Search for extension
• Click "Add to Firefox"
• Review permissions, click "Add"
• Some extensions need additional permissions after install
• Access via puzzle icon in toolbar

Install in Safari (Mac)

• Safari extensions come from Mac App Store
• Open App Store, search "Safari Extensions"
• Download and install extension app
• Safari → Settings → Extensions
• Enable checkbox for extension
• Grant required permissions

Ad Blockers

uBlock Origin (Free, highly recommended)

• Blocks ads, trackers, and malware sites
• Lightweight and fast
• No acceptable ads policy
• Available: Chrome, Firefox, Edge

AdBlock Plus (Free alternative)

• Popular option with acceptable ads feature
• Can whitelist favourite sites
• Available on all major browsers including Safari

Password Managers

Bitwarden (Free/Paid)

• Free tier includes unlimited passwords
• Auto-fill passwords across devices
• Generate strong passwords
• Open source and highly secure

1Password (Paid, £3/month)

• Premium features and family sharing
• Travel mode and watchtower security alerts
• Excellent user interface

Note-Taking & Clipping

Notion Web Clipper (Free)

• Save web pages to Notion workspace
• Clip articles for later reading
• Organise research and references

Evernote Web Clipper (Free)

• Clip full pages, articles, or screenshots
• Add tags and notebooks
• Search clipped content later

Grammar & Writing

Grammarly (Free/Premium)

• Checks spelling and grammar as you type
• Works in emails, documents, social media
• Premium adds style and tone suggestions
• Essential for professional communication

Tab Management

OneTab (Free)

• Convert open tabs to list with one click
• Reduces memory usage
• Restore tabs individually or all at once
• Prevents tab overload

The Great Suspender (Free, Chrome)

• Auto-suspends inactive tabs to save memory
• Keeps tab titles visible
• Restore with single click

Focus & Time Management

StayFocusd (Free, Chrome)

• Limit time on distracting websites
• Set daily allowances for social media
• Nuclear option blocks everything for set period

Toggl Track (Free)

• Time tracking for tasks and projects
• One-click start/stop timer
• Reports on time spent

Privacy & Security

Privacy Badger (Free, by EFF)

• Blocks invisible trackers
• Learns which trackers to block automatically
• Complements ad blockers

HTTPS Everywhere (Free, by EFF)

• Forces encrypted HTTPS connections when available
• Protects against man-in-the-middle attacks
• Built into Firefox, extension for Chrome/Edge

View All Extensions

Chrome/Edge:

• Three dots menu → Extensions → Manage Extensions
• Or type: chrome://extensions in address bar
• See all installed extensions and toggle on/off

Firefox:

• Menu → Add-ons and themes
• Or type: about:addons in address bar
• Enable/disable extensions from list

Pin Extensions to Toolbar

• Click puzzle piece icon (Chrome/Edge) or extensions icon (Firefox)
• Click pin icon next to extension name
• Extension appears directly in toolbar for quick access
• Unpin to hide but keep installed

Configure Extension Settings

• Right-click extension icon → Options or Settings
• Or go to Extensions page → Click Details → Extension options
• Configure permissions, shortcuts, and behaviour
• Review what data extension can access

Remove Extensions

• Extensions page → Find extension → Click Remove
• Or right-click extension icon → Remove from Chrome/Edge/Firefox
• Confirm removal
• All extension data deleted from browser

Enable/Disable for Specific Sites

• Extensions page → Click Details on extension
• Scroll to "Site access"
• Choose: On all sites, On specific sites, or On click
• Add exceptions for sites where extension causes problems

Only Install from Official Stores

• Chrome Web Store, Firefox Add-ons, Edge Add-ons only
• Never download extension files from third-party websites
• Official stores review extensions for malware
• Check developer name matches official source

Check Reviews and Ratings

• Read recent reviews before installing
• Check number of users (more users = more tested)
• Look for 4+ star rating
• Avoid extensions with few reviews or downloads

Review Permissions Carefully

• Read what data extension requests before installing
• "Read and change all your data" is broad permission
• Only grant if extension needs it (e.g., ad blockers do, simple tools shouldn't)
• Decline if permissions seem excessive for function

Keep Extensions Updated

• Extensions auto-update by default (recommended)
• Check for updates: Extensions page → Developer mode → Update
• Updates fix security vulnerabilities
• Remove extensions no longer maintained by developers

Limit Number of Extensions

• Each extension slows browser slightly
• More extensions = more security risk surface
• Aim for 5-10 essential extensions maximum
• Remove duplicates (e.g., multiple ad blockers)