Control referer to protect privacy and not break web

Latest Version

Version
0.8.50
Update
July 29, 2024
Size
34.82KiB
Developer
garywill.github.io
Category
Users
369
Rating
1 ★
Manifest Version
2
Web Store Status
Languages Support
English
See more
Permissions
WebRequest
WebRequestBlocking
*://*/*
Ws://*/*
Wss://*/*

ContextMenus
Storage
See more

Auto Referer Extension

Control HTTP Referer to protect privacy and not break web. Open source at https://github.com/garywill/autoReferer

Referer policy:

1. For webs' top frame (i.e. clicking link, navigating, redirecting etc.):
1). If origin and target url have same domain, allow trimmed referer
2). If origin and target url have different domain, no referer

2. For in-page resources (images, videos, js, css etc.), allow trimmed referer (this is **the key to not break** most webs, also a balance between privacy and experience)

3. Trim referer: Any referer should be no more than `http(s)://domain-name:port/`

4. Not allow referer that not starts with \"http\" or \"https\". (Please feedback if you find something broken due to this)

5. No referer when downgrade from HTTPS/WSS to HTTP/WS

We believe that can protect privacy enough and won't break web.

If user find a web broken, user can temporary set this addon disabled via toolbar button for:

- this one tab
- this one tab and new tabs opened by this tab
- this one window (Firefox only)
- globally

(above can be set as keyboard shortcuts)

there's showy toolbar button badge indicating disabling status.

## Notice
Due to browser bug on javascript `document.referrer` , using a regular referer controlling addon you can get 70% of expected protection until they fix that bug.

So, we've implemented a workaround to improve protection to 85%. Please enable workaround in addon settings .

This addon doesn't use content script. Content script hiding `document.referrer` is not 100% reliable.

Instead, we use this workaround to kill `document.referrer`:
Cancel all cross-domain navigating requests and make freshnew ones, like directly hit (currently only implemented for GET method and main frame, other methods and sub-frames remain as is)

## Allowlist

We currently have built-in allowlist, for the purpose of not breaking some websites. Some companies have many different websites with different domains. Some of their functionality are based on redirecting between their websites. Some of them check referer.

## Disclaimer

This open souce addon comes with no warranty. Use on you own risk!
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Source Manifest.json

{"update_url": "https://clients2.google.com/service/update2/crx", "name": "Auto Referer", "description": "Control referer to protect privacy and not break web", "manifest_version": 2, "version": "0.8.50", "homepage_url": "https://github.com/garywill/autoReferer", "author": { "name": "Garywill", "url": "https://garywill.github.io" }, "permissions": [ "webRequest", "webRequestBlocking", "*://*/*", "ws://*/*", "wss://*/*", "", "contextMenus", "storage" ], "icons": { "128": "icon.png" }, "background": { "page": "background.html", "persistent": true }, "browser_action": { "default_icon": "icon_gray.png", "default_title": "Auto Referer" }, "commands": { "_execute_browser_action": { "description": "Click toolbar button" }, "toggle_t" : { "description": "Toggle for one tab" }, "toggle_h" : { "description": "Toggle for one tab and new tabs opened by it" }, "toggle_global" : { "description": "Toggle globally enable/disable" } }, "options_ui": { "page": "options.html" }}
Read more

How to download and manually install Auto Referer extension for Chrome

Looking for a way to install Auto Referer 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 Auto Referer extensions manually, this article outlines two simple methods to effortlessly install Auto Referer extensions, whether they come as unpacked folders in compressed formats like .zip or as .crx files.

Method 1: Download Auto Referer extension and manually install through Drag &Drop

If you ever need to manually install a Auto Referer 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 Auto Referer Extension by clicking the "Download CRX" button on the website.

Look for the Auto Referer extension you wish to install. Go to the website and download the Auto Referer extension package, which is usually a .CRX file and comes in a zipped file. Here ".crx" file is the format for Auto Referer 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 Auto Referer 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 Auto Referer extension for Chrome and install in Developer Mode

This is another method to install Auto Referer 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 Auto Referer extension file

Select and download the Auto Referer 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 Auto Referer 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 Auto Referer 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 Auto Referer 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 Auto Referer extension in 2 ways. We hope this guide proves helpful.

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