Makes website links more transparent and accessible, enhancing your awareness of your navigational security and privacy.

Latest Version

Version
4.3.0
Update
October 24, 2024
Size
58.84KiB
Developer
Category
Users
578
Rating
5 ★
Manifest Version
3
Web Store Status
Languages Support
English (UK)
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Permissions
Scripting
Storage
WebNavigation
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Clear Links Extension

This is a user experience improvement extension that reveals web links' destination in a more user-friendly and customisable tooltip, simply by moving your mouse over a link; by default, it highlights a URL's domain for links to external websites (customisable in the extension's Options menu) and thus enables more transparent links, improving explicit awareness of your navigation to an external website. One potential use case for Clear Links is to make you more easily aware of phishing email scams by allowing you to inspect a link's destination domain and allowing you to check if the destination is as expected -- identifying malicious links.

It is important to note that this extension does not identify malicious links for you, instead, it informs you of links to external sites so you can make the decision yourself. By default, links to pages within the same website/hostname do not have a tooltip appear. This can be changed in the Options menu.

This will make a fine addition to your security and privacy digital toolbelt.

Short URL services supported:
goo.gl, bit.ly, j.mp, t.co (partially)

Code repository and release notes can be viewed on GitHub:
https://github.com/ChristopherBull/Clear-Links/

Keywords:
URL, link, domain, hostname, Short URL, URL expander, URL expansion
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Source Manifest.json

{"update_url": "https://clients2.google.com/service/update2/crx", "manifest_version": 3, "name": "Clear Links", "version": "4.3.0", "author": "Christopher Bull", "description": "Makes website links more transparent and accessible, enhancing your awareness of your navigational security and privacy.", "icons": { "16": "icon16.png", "48": "icon48.png", "128": "icon128.png" }, "permissions": [ "scripting", "storage", "webNavigation" ], "host_permissions": [ "http://*/", "https://*/" ], "key": "MIIBIjANBgkqhkiG9w0BAQEFAAOCAQ8AMIIBCgKCAQEAgv1hEzO8elR0XP9jiGtSDApjag3UXFSbH/37/kubWHJPqVbNC+WNLiW2OQpInn8eoRUMVGWUVgfJysGsXCr8cf8xRvnGrDJKRgKQB67spzCbEtfj9fqR2FQhcg4mSFPwsy/OygXEWlrzjkENcZbf53oMDGspl6cMa0r8P+rwsxLGjdxEcZ4YQTTYZ3D2BflmcjLtgBOj5vtEPyL3adxuMG6v5+lu5JWqbayJSA2oysk+L19BQuTaMnXcb/j0s50PSQUa7LnkMMggijKTAm67Mj59iggbQVYcL4zu0KLztFrCJ5Xuy60JJgWKNMETukNy448yq5jzpKWfgWvtAlEI8QIDAQAB", "web_accessible_resources": [ { "resources": [ "images/*", "contentScript.css", "contentScript.js", "contentScriptSharedLib.js", "defaultSettings.js" ], "matches": [ "" ] } ], "action": { "default_icon": { "16": "icon16.png", "48": "icon48.png", "128": "icon128.png" }, "default_title": "Clear Links", "default_popup": "action-popup.html" }, "background": { "service_worker": "background.js", "type": "module" }, "options_ui": { "page": "options.html" }, "content_scripts": [ { "matches": [ "" ], "js": [ "./lib/browser-polyfill.min.js", "contentScriptActivationFilter.js" ], "run_at": "document_start" } ]}
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How to download and manually install Clear Links extension for Chrome

Looking for a way to install Clear Links extensions for Chrome, you can search for them in the Chrome Web Store, clicking the "Add to Chrome" button, and following the straightforward process.

However, you may need to install Clear Links extensions manually, this article outlines two simple methods to effortlessly install Clear Links extensions, whether they come as unpacked folders in compressed formats like .zip or as .crx files.

Method 1: Download Clear Links extension and manually install through Drag &Drop

If you ever need to manually install a Clear Links extension for Chrome, don't worry, it's a simple process. Just follow these easy steps, and you will have your extension ready to use in no time.

Step 1: Download the Clear Links Extension by clicking the "Download CRX" button on the website.

Look for the Clear Links extension you wish to install. Go to the website and download the Clear Links extension package, which is usually a .CRX file and comes in a zipped file. Here ".crx" file is the format for Clear Links extension that contains all the data.

Step 2: Extract &Arrange Files

Once the file is downloaded, extract that file into its own folder. Similarly, give that extension files a permanent home. In other words, keep it in a folder that you don't accidentally delete it because these files will be needed to make that extension work.

Step 3: Go to the Chrome Extensions Page

Open Google Chrome and in the address bar, type chrome://extensions; it will open the Google Chrome extensions page. Make sure that "My extensions" is selected in the sidebar.

Step 4: Drag and Drop the Extension

Now, go to the folder where you extracted the Clear Links extension and drag &drop the extension file from there anywhere onto the extension page within Google Chrome.

Step 5: Complete the Installation

Once you drag and drop the extension file, follow the steps that Google Chrome takes you through. Similarly, if the extension file is of .crx file format, you will be required to review the permissions and then add the extension.

Now, you can manage that added extension as you would like to with any other Chrome extension that you added through Chrome Webstore. Its icon will also appear in the Google Chrome Menu on the right side of the address bar once you activate it.

Method 2: Download Clear Links extension for Chrome and install in Developer Mode

This is another method to install Clear Links extension manually, but the twist is that here, you install by enabling the developer mode option provided in Google Chrome. This mode is commonly used for testing extensions or running unpublished tools.

Step 1: Download the Clear Links extension file

Select and download the Clear Links extension by clicking the 'Download CRX' button on the website.

Step 2: Extract the downloaded contents

Convert the file to a ZIP file if it is in CRX format then extract the Clear Links extension zip file or folder that you downloaded. Make sure you extract it using the same folder name and keep it safely in another folder, so you don't delete it by mistake. The extracted folder will be needed to keep your Clear Links extension running.

Step 3: Open Chrome Extension Setting Page

In the address bar of Google Chrome, type chrome://extensions and open the Chrome Extension Page.

Step 4: Enable Developer Mode

After opening the Chrome Extension page, look at the top right side, and you will find the toggle option of "Developer mode."Simply enable that developer mode option.

Step 5: Load the Unpacked Extension

Once you enable the developer mode option, you will see the menu of Load Unpacked, Pack Extensions and Update. From that, select the option "Load unpacked."

Step 6: Select the Extension Folder

Once the pop-up opens upon clicking Load unpacked, select the Clear Links extension directory and click on the "Select Folder "button.

Step 7: Confirm and Install

After you select an extension folder of a Google Chrome extension you're installing manually, confirm its installation for the final time and let the installation complete.

Conclusion

Here we've made a step-by-step guide on How to manually install Clear Links extension in 2 ways. We hope this guide proves helpful.

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User reviews

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David Gullick (ID: 000000cb5b200119) Voted 5 ★ - Updated 07/07/2016 Great idea! Unobtrusive whilst being informative when you need it.