It is common for IT administrators to control Chrome extension development in order to safeguard and empower their Chrome users. Enterprises may, of course, utilize third-party extensions in various ways, but occasionally they choose to design their bespoke extensions to fit the specific demands of their customers.

How do you get the extension out to your customers after it’s finished? Most administrators utilize the Extension Install Forcelist policy to remotely install extensions to their users, either using Chrome Browser Cloud Management or Microsoft Group Policy Objects (GPO). The extension must be available in the Chrome Web Store to utilize these techniques. In this piece, we’ll provide some advice on doing this. To publish an extension, you will need to register as a developer and pay a one-time cost.

Read Also: Custom Browser Extension For Your Business Productivity

It’s Time to Prepare Your Extension

To get your extension into the Chrome Web Store after the browser extension development, you’ll need to package it up first. There are a few prerequisites for this

  • A .json file called manifest.json has been saved (This is a JSON file that describes what the extension does).
  • Logo in PNG format saved as 128png. If your extension requires more files, these are the bare minimum requirements for submission to the Chrome Web Store. For hidden or public posts, a screenshot may also be required.)

It’s Time To Put Your New Extension Through Its Paces

Testing your extension is easy:

After logging in with your Google account, you can begin surfing in Chrome.

 

  • //extensions/ Developer mode must be activated in order for this to work.
  • Loading unpacked and browsing to your extension folder by clicking “load unpacked”
  • Using the extension and making sure it works properly.

You may use Chrome logs to debug the plugin. You may find developer tools by clicking More>Developer tools in the Chrome menu. Then, double-check your facts (check for the correct app ID and version number, for example).

Create a Library of Add-ons For Popular Web Browsers (optional)

It may be beneficial to your company’s users if you propose a collection of extensions. Create a collection of items that people may browse through and then select to download in order to attain this goal.

Publish to The Chrome Web Store

It is possible to publish an extension on the Chrome Web Store after a successful Chrome extension development in one of three ways:

 

  1. Private: The extension can only be seen by users in your domain and installed by them. You must create a “trusted tester” group and add members manually using email addresses in the Chrome Developer Dashboard to make private extensions accessible to people outside your domain.

 

  1. Unlisted: If you share the extension link with someone or already have the app, they will be able to view it. You may use this if you want an extension that only your company’s employees can use but who may require access to BYOD devices. Please keep in mind that anybody who has the URL to the extension may install it.

 

  1. Public: If your extension is set to “public,” then anybody may see it and download it.

The Chrome Web Store has to approve each and every extension before you can install it. In order to publish your extension as unlisted, you may be asked to submit more documentation, including screenshots and documentation to support the permissions and privileges your extension declares in the manifest file. If the extension is authorized, it might take a few weeks to go through the proper channels.

 

Activate Your Extension

To validate a private domain, users will need to be logged in using their Google ID. You may use Chrome Browser Cloud Management to add unlisted or public extensions by clicking on the yellow “+” button and selecting “Add Chrome app or extension by ID” in the “Apps and extensions” section. An example of how to create an unlisted extension is shown below:

You may specify the app ID in GPO’s Extension Install Forcelist policy to add this.

Google’s Steps to Make Chrome Extensions More Private and Secure

The Chrome Web Store has over 250,000 extensions and themes, so no two Chrome browsers are alike. Chrome extensions range from productivity and learning aids to entertainment and commerce. Users may keep using Chrome to browse the web because Google makes sure the developers’ extensions meet its privacy and security requirements. Here’s an example of how they’ve evolved:

Stricter Privacy Regulations and More Control Over Users’ Personal Data

They changed how extensions access data and how permissions work in 2021. A new feature will let users pick which websites the extension may access. They introduced the puzzle symbol to the toolbar last year to make extension settings more visible and precise.

An extension may store permission to access a domain’s data. However, this is no longer the default option for most browsers.

Transparent Extension Data Usage

Google has also implemented improved developer rules in order to promote the transparency of extension-related information. During the month of January 2021, the “privacy policies” of each extension will be made public, with clear visuals and straightforward text explaining how the data they collect and use is acquired and used, respectively. The information that developers are allowed to collect is also being restricted.

More Security Updates To Keep You Safe

The security of Chrome Web Store extensions has seen considerable improvements in the recent year, thanks to significant upgrades made by Google. Since Chrome’s integration with Google Safe Browsing, 81 percent more dangerous extensions have been removed from the web browser than had previously been removed from it.

As part of this year’s enhancements, Chrome’s Safety Check feature in the Settings menu has been improved to assist users in swiftly identifying and removing potentially dangerous extensions. This year, a new feature, Enhanced Safe Browsing, was introduced to provide even more security.

Read Also: Importance of Chrome Extension Development

Summary

The business of creating private, secure, and functional Chrome extensions is one best left to a professional Chrome extension development company. That’s why Cloudifyapps is here to make things easy for you. Just reach out to us today, and let’s get started.