Should I be worried about installing browser extensions?

Not all extensions warrant the same level of concern - it really depends on what you're installing and from where. Sticking to official stores like Chrome Web Store or Firefox Add-ons and checking the developer's reputation and reviews goes a long way. The main risks come from obscure extensions with few users, ones that request excessive permissions, or knockoffs of popular tools, so just be selective about what you add. For anything you actually use regularly, glancing at the permissions it's asking for takes a minute and can catch red flags.

i've picked up extensions for specific tasks - like ones that help identify birds from photos when i'm out - and the main thing i learned is that permissions matter way more than most people realize. an extension asking for access to "all your data on all websites" is basically asking to read everything you type, see every page you visit, grab passwords if they're autofilled. that's the red flag, not the extension itself.

the trick is looking at what an extension actually needs versus what it's asking for. does a dark mode tool really need permission to see your banking info? probably not. check the permission list before you hit install, read recent user reviews (look for complaints about weird behavior or sudden changes), and honestly, less is more - only keep what you actively use. uninstall the ones you tried once and forgot about.

one nuance people often miss: even extensions from official stores can get sketchy after they're acquired by new developers. i've seen extensions that were fine for years suddenly start doing wonky stuff after being sold. so periodically revisit what you've got installed and think about whether you still need it or whether the creator is still trustworthy. does that make sense for your situation, or are you mainly worried about a specific extension?