Building a Chrome Extension for Cybersecurity Project

Introduction

In a time when cyber threats are becoming more complex, browser security is more important than ever. This post explores my experience creating a Chrome extension for vulnerability scanning and malware detection, offering important takeaways, technical difficulties, and recommended practices.

Why Build a Security-Focused Chrome Extension?

With more than 70% of internet users using Chrome, browser extensions are an effective way to keep people safe while they browse on a regular basis. The goal of this project was to develop a Chrome extension with a security focus that:

• Detects malicious URLs and files in real-time.

• Assesses software vulnerabilities using CVE data.

• Prioritizes user privacy and performance.

Key Technical Components

1. Multi-Layer Security Architecture

The extension uses a three-pronged approach:

• Real-Time URL Scanning

  : Integrated with

  VirusTotal

  and

  Google Safe Browsing

  APIs.

• File Hash Computation

  : Locally computes file hashes to detect malware without uploading files.

• CVE Database Integration

  : Fetches vulnerability details from the

  National Vulnerability Database (NVD)

  .

Example: Real-Time URL Scanning

1async function scanURL(url: string) {
2  const results = await Promise.all([
3    virusTotalScan(url),
4    googleSafeBrowsingScan(url)
5  ]);
6  return consolidateResults(results);
7}

2. Privacy-First Design Patterns

To protect user privacy, I implemented:

• Client-side scanning for file privacy.

• Local hash computations without server uploads.

• Secure API key management with zero user data collection.

3. Performance Optimization

Optimizing security features for speed was essential:

• API Request Batching

  : Reduces overhead on external API calls.

• Caching Mechanisms

  : Stores previous results to avoid redundant scans.

• Web Workers

  : Offloads heavy computations to prevent UI lag.

Development Challenges & Solutions

• Challenge 1: API Rate Limiting

  • Implemented a queue-based system to manage API requests efficiently.

1class APIQueue {
2  async enqueue(request) {
3    await this.checkRateLimit();
4    return this.processRequest(request);
5  }
6}

• Challenge 2: Real-Time Threat Detection

  • Utilized

    Web Workers

    and optimized API calls to ensure smooth performance without browser slowdowns.

Best Practices for Security Extension Development

• API Security:

  • Secure key storage and encryption.

  • Proper error handling and rate limiting.

• User Privacy:

  • Minimal data collection.

  • Local file and URL processing.

• Performance:

  • Async operations and caching.

  • Optimized resource usage.

Results and Impact

The extension has:

• Improved Security

  : Real-time threat detection with zero false positives.

• Optimized Performance

  : Minimal overhead and smooth user experience.

• Positive Feedback

  : Users praised the balance of security and performance.

Conclusion

Developing a cybersecurity-focused Chrome extension is a balancing act between security, privacy, and performance. By leveraging modern development tools and best practices, this project delivers robust protection while ensuring an exceptional user experience.

Resources for Chrome Extension Development

• Chrome Extension Documentation

• Web Security Best Practices

• VirusTotal API Documentation