您的网络浏览器是您的互联网安全不可或缺的一部分。您可以通过 Internet 浏览器访问在线服务、查看电子邮件、使用媒体等等。
与您的浏览器一样安全，您始终可以添加浏览器扩展程序以提高您的安全性和隐私性。Avast Online Security是可用于Google Chrome的此类安全扩展程序之一。
那么，Avast Online Security扩展是否提高了您的安全性？还是有更好的安全扩展可用？
什么是 Avast 在线安全扩展？(What Is The Avast Online Security Extension?)
Avast Online Security Extension是Google Chrome的安全扩展。它是Avast(Avast)的一款独立、免费的安全产品，不需要Avast许可证即可使用，非常方便。
Avast 在线安全扩展有什么作用？(What Does The Avast Online Security Extension Do?)
让我们深入了解Avast Online Security Extension的具体细节。扩展有什么作用，它提供什么安全保护？
该扩展程序可以识别和阻止网络钓鱼站点，阻止您下载恶意软件，以及阻止脚本、跟踪器和烦人的 cookie。
此外，该扩展程序在您的在线搜索结果中的每个站点旁边添加了一个评级盾。绿色盾牌表示安全站点，橙色表示可能不安全的站点，红色表示已知托管危险或恶意内容的站点。还有一个灰色盾牌，表示该扩展程序没有包含太多信息的站点。
您还可以使用扩展程序的工具栏自己添加到评级系统，您可以在其中找到绿色或红色图标，您可以选择以提供有关网站安全性的反馈。
Avast Online Security Extension 是否收集数据？(Does The Avast Online Security Extension Collect Data?)
2019 年底，Avast Online Security Extension因收集过多用户数据而暂时从Google Chrome 网上应用店中删除。(Google Chrome Web Store)
此次删除是Chrome 网上应用店(Chrome Web Store)更广泛打击收集用户数据的浏览器扩展程序的一部分。其中包括打开的标签数量、您在特定网站上花费的时间、查看特定内容的时间等数据。
虽然这是一个令人担忧的问题，但Avast迅速纠正了这种情况，并且在移除后的几周内，该扩展程序就在Chrome 网上应用店中(Chrome Web Store)恢复了。
目前，扩展程序仍在收集一些数据。但在此之前，您的警钟敲响，数据收集对于操作是必要的。例如，该扩展程序收集有关URL(URLs)、用户(user)反馈、有关Avast覆盖的使用数据、设备信息和您的原籍国的数据。
(Data)当您访问任何涉及网上银行的页面时，也会收集数据。Avast Online Security在检测到在线银行网站时会自动打开其银行模式，从而在使用时保护您的隐私和安全。(Bank Mode)
如何使用 Avast Online Security 安装(How to Use the Avast Online Security Installation)
Avast Online Security Extension非常易于使用。安装后，扩展程序图标将出现在您的Google Chrome扩展程序托盘中（地址栏旁边）。
现在，每当您进入一个新网站时，图标都会改变颜色（根据上面的颜色指南），并且还会显示一个数字。该数字说明了扩展检测到的跟踪系统数量。
如果您选择扩展图标，它将打开Avast Online Security覆盖。从这里，您可以选择隐私(Privacy)选项，然后选择是否自动阻止所有跟踪器(Automatically block all trackers)。
否则，扩展程序会在后台运行，只需要很少的交互。
Avast 在线安全扩展值得使用吗？(Is The Avast Online Security Extension Worth Using?)
关键问题：Avast 在线安全扩展(Avast Online Security Extension)有什么好处吗？
答案取决于您现有的安全设置。这是因为虽然扩展程序是您浏览器的一个方便的安全选项，但您不应该依赖它来替换其他更重要的安全选项。
此外，基于浏览器的安全扩展本质上是有限的。它只是保护浏览器中发生的事情。如果您通过种子下载恶意文件，或者有人向您的桌面电子邮件客户端发送网络钓鱼电子邮件，该怎么办？Avast 安全扩展(Avast Security Extension)不会发现这些问题。
公平地说， Avast并没有声称它会帮助解决任何非常真实但假设的情况。尽管如此，您应该使用Avast Online Security作为更广泛的系统安全方法的一部分，而不是仅仅依赖扩展。
Windows 带有集成的防病毒软件，称为Windows 安全性(Windows Security)（以前称为Windows Defender）。您可以将 Windows 安全( use Windows Security to protect your system)中心与其他工具（例如Malwarebytes Premium）结合使用来保护您的系统，从而为您的系统提供几乎完整的保护。
您仍然可以将Avast Online Security Extension与这些其他工具一起使用，但您会看到安全方法必须如何包含多个层才能发挥最大效果。
Avast Online Security Extension: Is It Worth Using?
Your web browser is integral to your іntеrnet security. You access online services, check your email, consume media, аnd much more, all through your internet browser.
As safe as your browser is, you can always add browser extensions to increase your security and privacy. Avast Online Security is one such security extension available for Google Chrome.
So, does the Avast Online Security extension boost your security? Or are there better security extensions available?
What Is The Avast Online Security Extension?
The Avast Online Security Extension is a security extension for Google Chrome. It’s a standalone, free security product from Avast and does not require an Avast license to use, which is handy.
What Does The Avast Online Security Extension Do?
Let’s get into the nuts and bolts of the Avast Online Security Extension. What does the extension do, and what security protection does it provide?
The extension can identify and block phishing sites, stop you from downloading malware, as well as block scripts, trackers, and annoying cookies.
Furthermore, the extension adds a rating shield alongside each site in your online search results. A green shield indicates a safe site, orange indicates a potentially unsafe site, and red represents a site known to host dangerous or malicious content. There is also a gray shield that indicates a site the extension does not hold much information on.
You can also add to the rating system yourself using the extension’s toolbar, where you’ll find a green or red icon you can select to provide feedback on the site’s safety.
Does The Avast Online Security Extension Collect Data?
In late 2019, the Avast Online Security Extension was temporarily removed from the Google Chrome Web Store for collecting excessive amounts of data on its users.
The removal came as part of a wider crack-down across the Chrome Web Store against browser extensions collecting user data that they do not require for operation. These include data such as the number of tabs open, how long you spend on a specific site, how long you spend viewing specific content, and so on.
While this was a concern, Avast rectified the situation rapidly, and the extension was reinstated on the Chrome Web Store within a few weeks of its removal.
At the current time, the extension still gathers some data. But before that sets your alarm bells ringing, the data collection is necessary for operation. For example, the extension collects data on URLs, user feedback, usage data regarding the Avast overlay, device information, and your country of origin.
Data collection also occurs when you head to any page involving online banking. Avast Online Security switches on its Bank Mode automatically when it detects an online banking website, protecting your privacy and security while in use.
How to Use the Avast Online Security Installation
The Avast Online Security Extension is really easy to use. Once installed, the extension icon will appear in your Google Chrome extensions tray (next to the address bar).
Now, whenever you enter a new website, the icon will change color (as per the color guide above), and also display a number. The number illustrates how many tracking systems the extension detects.
If you select the extension icon, it opens the Avast Online Security overlay. From here, you can select the Privacy option, then choose whether to Automatically block all trackers.
Otherwise, the extension runs in the background and requires very little interaction.
Is The Avast Online Security Extension Worth Using?
The crucial question: is the Avast Online Security Extension any good?
The answer depends on your existing security setup. That’s because while the extension is a handy security option for your browser, you shouldn’t rely on it to replace other more substantial security options.
Furthermore, a browser-based security extension is inherently limited. It is only protecting what happens in your browser. How about if you download a malicious file via a torrent, or someone sends you a phishing email to your desktop email client? The Avast Security Extension won’t catch those issues.
To be fair to Avast, they’re not claiming that it’ll help with any of those very real but hypothetical situations. Nonetheless, you should use Avast Online Security as part of a broader approach to system security, rather than relying on the extension solely.
Windows comes with integrated antivirus, known as Windows Security (formerly Windows Defender). You can use Windows Security to protect your system in combination with another tool, such as Malwarebytes Premium, receiving almost complete protection for your system.
You can still use the Avast Online Security Extension with these other tools, but you see how the approach to security must comprise multiple layers for maximum effect.
