The hypothesis: Current browser security is fragmented. You need multiple extensions (uBlock, Privacy Badger, HTTPS Everywhere) plus something for phishing protection. Most all-in-one options are bloated (Norton, Avira) or have privacy concerns.
What I'm considering: - Zero data collection (no accounts, no telemetry) - Open-source (MIT license) - Phishing detection (local + Safe Browsing API) - HTTPS enforcement - Cookie auto-delete - Pop-up blocking
Questions for HN:
1. Is there actually a gap here? Or is the current extension ecosystem already perfect?
2. What would make you trust a NEW security extension in 2025? Open source alone doesn't seem sufficient - there are sketchy OS extensions too.
3. Would you ever pay for browser security ($3-5/month)? Or should everything be donation-supported?
4. Is Manifest V3's limitations (30k rules, webRequest restrictions) a dealbreaker even for security-focused extensions?
I put together a survey to gather structured feedback: https://forms.gle/CrxiWDFM23wvHT7g9
But honestly more interested in the discussion here. Talk me out of this if it's a bad idea.
ghostwords•2w ago
(I develop Privacy Badger.) There are significant benefits to adding PB or uBO to a browser that doesn't already ship with a real built-in ad blocker. While PB and uBO work well together and you may want to use both for various reasons, I wouldn't say you need both. Either one is enough by itself for most people.
>HTTPS Everywhere
HTTPS Everywhere has been deprecated and eventually removed from extension stores a few years ago: https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2021/09/https-actually-everywh...
>Phishing detection
Why isn't what's built into browsers enough?
>Cookie auto-delete
Why bother when blocking trackers and ads?
>Pop-up blocking
Is that the same as the various "annoyances" ad blocker lists?
linklock•2w ago
You’re absolutely right about HTTPS Everywhere; that was a oversight in my initial write-up. Since it's now integrated into the major browsers, that’s one less 'fragment' to worry about.
To answer your questions on the 'why' behind the other features:
Phishing detection: The main gap I see with built-in Safe Browsing is the telemetry. Most users don't realize that 'Enhanced Protection' often means sending URLs/metadata back to a central server. I’m exploring a local-first approach (using bloom filters or highly optimized local sets) to keep that check entirely on-device.
Cookie auto-delete: While Total Cookie Protection (Firefox) is great, many browsers still only clear data 'on exit.' For users who keep their browser open for weeks, I see value in 'active' cleaning (e.g., clearing site data 15 minutes after a tab is closed) to minimize the session-tracking window.
The 'All-in-one' goal: My hypothesis is actually driven by the fingerprinting concern you've likely seen discussed. Using uBO + PB + a cookie manager creates a very unique extension fingerprint. I'm wondering if a single, consolidated open-source tool could actually help a user 'blend in' better than a stack of three different ones.
I’m still in the 'talking myself out of it' phase, so this technical pushback is exactly what I was hoping for. Thank you again ghostwords!
ghostwords•2w ago
Re fingerprint, similar question: why does this matter if you do a good job of blocking common trackers that perform fingerprinting?