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Browser Extensions Guide

By MARTIN Published | Last updated

The Problem with Default Settings


Web browsers are the primary gateway to the internet; an essential software for modern life. Many users’ experiences and expectations are determined by what the browser offers by default. For example, they normalize web page advertisements as an intrinsic quality of the browsing experience.

Enter extensions, a feature of modern web browsers that enables additional functionality through code written for the particular browser. Such functionality includes removing all advertisements from the web pages you visit, thereby enhancing personal privacy and page performance, and reducing annoyance.

This article discusses the top browser extensions you may want to take advantage of to uplift your web browsing experience.

#1 - uBlock Origin


An excellent wide-spectrum blocker that filters ads, trackers, pop-ups, malware, coin miners, and more.

Content blockers are some of the most popular browser extensions because they help keep you safe online.

Download

Mozilla Firefox
Google Chrome
Microsoft Edge
Opera

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Source Code
Website
Wiki

#2 - SponsorBlock


Automatically skips segments in YouTube videos you don’t want to watch, such as self-promotion and in-video advertisements. It’s literally a time saver.

Download

Mozilla Firefox
Google Chrome
Microsoft Edge
Opera
Apple Safari

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Website
Wiki

#3 - Firefox Translations


Client-side in-page text translations for Firefox-based browsers.

Download

Mozilla Firefox

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Source Code
Mozilla Community Call - Learn more about Firefox Translations!

#4 - Read Aloud: A Text to Speech Voice Reader


Extracts text from web pages and uses text-to-speech to read it aloud.

Download

Mozilla Firefox
Google Chrome

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Website

#5 - Dark Reader


Adaptivly themes web pages into a “dark mode” theme, even for websites without a dark mode feature.

Download

Mozilla Firefox
Google Chrome
Microsoft Edge
Apple Safari

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Website
Wiki

#6 - Consent-O-Matic


Automatically completes GDPR consent popups based on your preferences.

Download

Mozilla Firefox
Google Chrome
Microsoft Edge

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#7 - ClearURLs


Helps prevent tracking by clearing tracking parameters in opened URLs. Do note that it can break some browser features such as passing a web signin to a local application.

Download

Mozilla Firefox
Google Chrome
Microsoft Edge

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Source Code
Wiki

#8 - Decentraleyes


Serves local files for hosted libraries and such to limit requests used for tracking.

Download

Mozilla Firefox
Google Chrome
Microsoft Edge
Opera

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Source Code
Website