When updating to the latest Browser Guard version, your browser may prompt you with new or additional permissions. Each browser describes these permissions differently, which can be misleading. To avoid confusion, these permissions are explained below. Browser Guard permissions only apply to Chrome, Edge, and Firefox browsers.
| Browser | Permission | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Chrome | Read and change your browsing history in all your signed-in devices | Browser Guard needs to be able to read your data to monitor for scams, phishing, ads, trackers, and malicious websites. It needs to be able to change your data to stop ads, trackers, phishing, scams, and malware from attacking your device. |
| Chrome | Change and grant access to features such as geolocation, microphone, camera, cookies, etc., for all your websites and extensions, including this extension. | While this may sound scary, Browser Guard only uses this permission to check which websites and extensions have access to your microphone, camera, and location. With this permission, Browser Guard can help stop criminals from spying on you with your computer's webcam and microphone! |
| Edge | Read and change all your data on all websites / Read your browsing history | Browser Guard needs to be able to read your data to monitor for scams, phishing, ads, trackers, and malicious websites. It needs to be able to change your data to stop ads, trackers, phishing, scams, and malware from attacking your device. |
| Chrome, Edge | Read data you copy and paste | Browser Guard needs to read your data to make sure you are not copying and pasting something that could potentially be a virus or other security threat. |
| Chrome, Edge | Modify data you copy and paste | Browser Guard needs to be able to modify your data so it can warn you when you copy something that is potentially harmful, like a virus. |
| Chrome, Edge | Manage your downloads | Browser Guard needs to be able to manage your downloads to check if the app or file is dangerous before you install it. Similar to how airport security needs to manage your luggage before you get on a plane! |
| Chrome, Edge | Communicate with cooperating native applications | This permission allows Browser Guard to talk to our Malwarebytes for Windows app. Both apps talking to each other helps you stay even more protected. |
| Chrome, Edge | Change your privacy-related settings | Browsers can now pre-load websites in the background of a web search. This can be very dangerous if a browser preemptively loads a malicious website! Browser Guard uses this permission to turn off page pre-loading in your browser, keeping you safe from background threats. |
| Chrome, Edge, Firefox | Block content on any page | Browser Guard uses this permission to spot and block scams, phishing, ads, trackers, and malware before it can harm your device. |
| Firefox | Read your browsing history | Browser Guard needs to be able to read your browser history to search for scams, phishing, ads, trackers, and malicious websites. |
| Firefox | Access browser tabs | This permission allows Browser Guard to actively scan websites as you browse and protect your device against threats in real time. |
| Firefox | Download files and read and modify the browser's download history | Browser Guard needs to be able to read and modify your downloads to check if the app or file is dangerous before you install it. Similar to how airport security needs to manage your luggage before you get on a plane! |
| Firefox | Exchange messages with programs other than Firefox | This permission allows Browser Guard to talk to our Malwarebytes for Windows app. Both apps talking to each other helps you stay even more protected. |
| Firefox | Get data from the clipboard | This is an optional permission that allows Browser Guard to read what you copy and paste to make sure you are not accidentally copying something dangerous like a potential virus or other security threat. |
| Firefox | Input data to the clipboard | This is an optional permission that allows Browser Guard to modify what you copy and paste so it can warn you when you copy something that is potentially harmful, like a virus. |
| Firefox | Access your data for all websites | This is an optional permission that allows Browser Guard to better read and interact with websites you visit to protect you from ads, trackers, scams, and phishing. Think of it as providing Browser Guard with extra coverage, improving how well it can detect and block threats across the web! |
| Firefox | Access your data for https://myaccount.google.com | This is an optional permission that allows Browser Guard to run a Profile Checker scan, which requires access to your Google account to read its data and provide security recommendations. This feature has no effect on your browsing experience. |
| Firefox | Access your data for https://linkedin.com | This is an optional permission that allows Browser Guard access to your LinkedIn account. Turn this feature on if you want to block more ads while browsing on LinkedIn. |
For more information on how we use your information, please see the Browser Guard Privacy Policy.