Thomas’s “this post is really out of date” warning: this post is old. Some of the recommendations here no longer apply or are now plain wrong. I’m not responsible for damage caused by your following advice from this blog, and don’t offer any support or warranty.
In my day job as a departmental IT worker I do a lot of stuff, from database design and queries, to server-side code in a variety of languages, to front-end design and development. I also browse the web - a lot - and look after IT at home.
With that in mind, I’d like to highlight a couple of Chrome plugins I use regularly:
HTTPS Everywhere
Uses https instead of http on sites that support it.
Adblock Plus
I block ads all over the place; using OpenDNS, a HOSTS file, and in the browser. Adblock Plus wins points for simplicity.
WOT
This is one of the first browser extensions I install on my family’s computers. Shows a useful “this site is trustworthy” icon next to search results.
Stylish
Sometimes it’s nice to get a web page looking “just so”. Also helps in hiding custom elements.
Privacy Badger
Stops analytic and tracking cookies.
The Great Suspender
“Pauses” browser tabs after inactivity.