Browser extension

A browser extension is a software module for customizing a web browser. Browsers typically allow users to install a variety of extensions, including user interface modifications, cookie management, ad blocking, and the custom scripting and styling of web pages.^[1]

Browser plug-ins are a different type of module and no longer supported by the major browsers.^[2]^[3] One difference is that extensions are distributed as source code, while plug-ins are executables (i.e. object code).^[2] The most popular browser, Google Chrome,^[4] has over 100,000 extensions available^[5] but stopped supporting plug-ins in 2020.^[6]

^ "What are extensions?". MDN Web Docs. Retrieved 5 August 2019.
^ ^a ^b "Plugin". developer.mozilla.org. 9 September 2022. Retrieved 7 December 2022.
^ "Why Browser Plug-Ins Are Going Away and What's Replacing Them". howtogeek.com. 8 January 2014. Retrieved 6 June 2023.
^ "StatCounter Global Stats". StatCounter. Retrieved 11 November 2020.
^ Cimpanu, Catalin. "Half of all Google Chrome extensions have fewer than 16 installs". ZDNet. Retrieved 19 February 2021.
^ "Google Chrome 88 released: RIP Flash Player". Retrieved 29 January 2021.

[1] "What are extensions?". MDN Web Docs. Retrieved 5 August 2019.

[mozwiki-plugin-2] "Plugin". developer.mozilla.org. 9 September 2022. Retrieved 7 December 2022.

[3] "Why Browser Plug-Ins Are Going Away and What's Replacing Them". howtogeek.com. 8 January 2014. Retrieved 6 June 2023.

[statcounter-4] "StatCounter Global Stats". StatCounter. Retrieved 11 November 2020.

[5] Cimpanu, Catalin. "Half of all Google Chrome extensions have fewer than 16 installs". ZDNet. Retrieved 19 February 2021.

[6] "Google Chrome 88 released: RIP Flash Player". Retrieved 29 January 2021.

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