New Information about Microsoft Edge Extensions

frogboy

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Jun 9, 2013
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A leaked Store entry of the first Microsoft Edge extension revealed interesting information about upcoming extensions support of Windows 10's default browser.

The store entry of the extension Page Analyzer is hidden from the Store application on Windows 10, the Microsoft Store website, and search engines currently which means that it cannot be opened unless you have the direct link.

The site that leaked the news, Windows Blog Italia, did not reveal the link unfortunately which means that we have to rely on the information they provide instead

Full Article. New Information about Microsoft Edge Extensions - gHacks Tech News
 

Av Gurus

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A leaked Store entry of the first Microsoft Edge extension revealed interesting information about upcoming extensions support of Windows 10's default browser.

The store entry of the extension Page Analyzer is hidden from the Store application on Windows 10, the Microsoft Store website, and search engines currently which means that it cannot be opened unless you have the direct link.

The site that leaked the news, Windows Blog Italia, did not reveal the link unfortunately which means that we have to rely on the information they provide instead.

Microsoft Edge Extensions
edge-extensions.png


So what does the Page Analyzer store entry reveal about upcoming extensions support in Microsoft Edge?

  1. Extensions will be made available via Windows Store. It is unclear right now if they are offered there exclusively, or if extensions can also be downloaded directly from Microsoft's website. All things considered, the most likely scenario is that extensions can only be downloaded using the Windows Store application but are listed and linked on Microsoft's Store website just like apps are.
  2. Installation works like any application installation on Windows 10. Simply click on the "install button" to have it downloaded and added to Microsoft Edge on the system.
  3. Extensions that are installed via the Store get their own Start Menu entry, and it is possible to load them directly using the Start Menu (I suppose Edge gets opened if it is a generic extension but we don't know that yet).
  4. Extensions do support ARM processors which indicates that they may be available for Edge on Windows 10 Mobile as well.
  5. According to Windows Blog Italia, extensions may add icons to the main toolbar of the browser at the top.
The rumor mill suggests that Microsoft will include extension support in one of the next Windows 10 Insider Builds which is expected to be pushed out soon by the company.

Names of extensions that are likely part of the first wave of extensions available for Edge leaked earlier, and one should expect Pinterest, Reddit Enhancement Suite, Page Analyzer and AdBlock among the first batch of extensions for the Microsoft Edge browser.
 

motox781

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Apr 1, 2015
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Once extensions release for Edge, I'll move over completely to Edge from Chrome. I do enjoy the lightness of Edge.
 

milas

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Mar 1, 2016
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I will also move over to Edge if I can get extensions in this browser!
 

Entreri

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May 25, 2015
342
Edge is meh, not impressed. It also sends all your browsing history to Microsoft, plus passwords.
 

Entreri

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It is unfortunate. And you thought Google was bad. Microsoft has taken this to the next level with Windows10...and encryption keys are stored with M$, so using BitLocker may not be a good idea.

So if you value your privacy, best not to use Edge.

There is also keylogging going on.

"Q. What sort of data is Microsoft collecting anyway?

  • A search query to Bing,
  • A voice command to Cortana
  • A document uploaded to OneDrive
  • A support request to Microsoft
  • Cookies, error reports or usage data from software running on your device
  • Your first and last name, email address, postal address, phone number, and other similar contact data
  • Passwords, password hints, and "similar security information"
  • The contacts you have and communicate with if you use a Microsoft service to manage your contacts or communicate
  • Your age, gender, country and preferred language
  • The teams you follow in a sports app, the stocks you track in a finance app, or the favorite cities you add to a weather app
  • A credit card number and the security code associated with it
  • The items you purchase, the web pages you visit, and the search terms you enter
  • The subject line and body of an email (provided you're using a Microsoft product or service to send that email)
  • The text or other content of an instant message (provided you're using a Microsoft product or service to send that message)
  • The audio and video recording of a video message (provided you're using a Microsoft product or service to send that message)
  • Audio recording and transcript of a voice message you receive or a text message you dictate
  • Data about any social network accounts that are linked to your Microsoft account"
Windows 10 Privacy FAQ: What you want to know about your personal data in the OS
 

jamescv7

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Mar 15, 2011
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Very interesting, although Microsoft's way to create extension support have reference to Chromium based but its way to conduct permission and other things will be isolated at all.

Of course adblockers will be the favorite choice of many so surely no restrictions should be implement.
 

DJ Panda

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I hope there won't be any adblockers they hurt sites revenue.
 

DJ Panda

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There will be AdBlockers for Edge, I believe AdBlock Plus developers are planning a release soon.
It's just a simple ad why block it. There are honest sites that need the revenue but people are becoming more greedy and blocking the ads.
 
A

Alkajak

It's just a simple ad why block it. There are honest sites that need the revenue but people are becoming more greedy and blocking the ads.

Personal preference. There will probably be settings to show useful ads, as there has been, so you can do your part to support the sites you want.
 
H

hjlbx

It's just a simple ad why block it. There are honest sites that need the revenue but people are becoming more greedy and blocking the ads.

Many people don't want them. It's like a mail box full of junk mail. On top of it, ad delivering CDN servers also deliver malvertising. That's not the fault of the advertiser, but nonetheless, it is a security risk. The trend is for more and more users to block ads.
 
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hjlbx

I think the issue with W10 data collection is not the data collection itself, but rather the very cozy relationship between Microsoft and various U.S. governmental agencies.

Microsoft is not Apple; M$' official policy is that it will comply with any legal mandate and requests made by U.S. governmental agencies. So... if U.S. government says we want every last bit of data you have from user X, then M$ will dutifully hand over every last bit of data from user X.

Voice, full e-mail, SMS, web search, encryption keys, passwords, ...

No ? It won't happen ?

You better believe it will - because it happens every single day with data collected from W7/8/8.1 data.

With W10 there will just be a whole lot more data for M$ to turn over to the authorities.

If the U.S. government says "Hey Microsoft, here is National Security Letter that requires you to allow any of our agencies to tie-in to your data servers - with unfettered access."

M$ will say "OK."

No ? It can't happen ?

You better believe it can.

Someone will point out that if a user is doing nothing illegal or shady on their system, then they have nothing to worry about.

True... yes, I think true, but the U.S. government has a well-established, miserable track record of collecting large amounts of data from the citizenry. Some of that data has been used for investigations that were terribly wrong right from the outset - and ended up even more terribly wrong. Innocent people have been prosecuted and convicted based upon circumstantial data.

Do extensive online research about bomb-making - because you happen to be a legitimate, professional explosives chemist - and knock-knock - "Who is it?" - the ATF and FBI.

Do not pass go, do not collect $200, go directly to jail.

No ? Couldn't happen ?

Think again... it already did...
 
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Entreri

Level 7
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May 25, 2015
342
Paranoid, or are you taking everything you read on the net out of context?
Relax, Windows 10 doesn't have a malicious 'keylogger'

Cortana is permission-based, and only works when you explicitly allow access.

Cortana is still runs after you disable it (using the Privacy settings), just see Task Manager. There are several ways to actually disable Cortana though.

Win10 EULA, essentially they collect everything and they have a right to.

Privacy Statement

"However, we do not use what you say in email, chat, video calls or voice mail, or your documents, photos or other personal files to target ads to you."

That is great M$, lol.

PCworld:

"Last fall, I discussed the keylogger that Microsoft openly put into the Windows 10 Technical Preview. The company admitted that “we may collect voice information” and “typed characters.”

How to turn off Windows 10's keylogger (yes, it still has one)
 

jamescv7

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Mar 15, 2011
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@J Gamez065: The design of adblocker is really meant 'Indirectly' (not intention) to hurt advertisement revenues but because people have right to have fast response on the websites without distractions and redirection pop-ups, hence exist.
 
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