ExtensionChecker

A React component that detects unwanted Chrome extensions and displays warnings in various UI formats. It helps ensure specific browser extensions do not interfere with your application.

Overview

Many Chrome extensions inject scripts, modify the DOM, or interfere with network requests in ways that can disrupt your application. ExtensionChecker identifies these unwanted extensions and provides a user-facing warning or block message to improve user experience and application reliability.

Features

• Detects specific Chrome extensions by checking for known files.
• Provides warnings in multiple UI modes: alert, banner, modal, or block.
• Supports automatic re-checking at configurable intervals.
• Fires a callback with the list of detected unwanted extensions.
• Offers extensive customization for styling and behavior.

How It Works

Target Extensions

The component maintains an internal list of target Chrome extensions. Each extension is identified by its ID, a known file path, and a display name.

Detection

For each extension, the component tries to fetch a known file using the chrome-extension:// protocol. If the fetch succeeds, the extension is considered installed.

Comparison

The detected extensions are compared against the provided list of unwanted extensions. If there is a match, the component triggers a warning in the specified display mode.

Display Modes

The component supports four modes:

1. Alert
   A small dismissable notification.

2. Banner
   A persistent message near the bottom of the screen that is dismissable.

3. Modal
   A full-screen overlay with a centered message that is dismissable.

4. Block
   A complete screen block that prevents interaction. Not dismissable.

Repeat Checks

Optionally, the component can re-check for extensions at regular intervals.

Customization Options

• Styling: Customize the appearance using inline styles or additional CSS classes.
• Extensions: Modify or extend the list of target extensions to detect other specific browser extensions.
• Behavior: Configure display modes, automatic hiding, and intervals to suit your application's needs.

API Reference

| Prop | Type | Required (Depends on displayMode) | Description | | ---------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------- | --------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | | displayMode | "silent" \| "alert" \| "banner" \| "modal" \| "block" | Yes | Determines the behavior of the component: - "silent": No UI, relies on onDetect callback. - "alert", "banner", "modal", "block": Displays a warning (or block) UI. | | onDetect | (detected: string[]) => void | Yes, when displayMode: "silent" | A callback function triggered when one or more unwanted extensions are detected. Required for "silent" mode, optional for other modes. | | unwantedExtensions | string[] | Yes | A list of unwanted extensions to detect. Each extension name must match the name field in the internal targetExtensions array. | | title | string | No | The title to display in the warning UI. Optional for all modes. | | description | string | No | The description text displayed below the title in the warning UI. Optional for all modes. | | autoHideDuration | number | No | Duration in milliseconds after which the alert/banner/modal is automatically hidden. Does not apply to "block" mode or "silent" mode. | | customStyles | React.CSSProperties | No | Custom inline styles for the warning container. | | checkInterval | number | No | Interval in milliseconds for periodic re-checking of unwanted extensions. | | className | string | No | Additional CSS class names for styling purposes. |

FAQ

1. Does this work in browsers other than Chrome?
   No. This component relies on the chrome-extension:// protocol, which is specific to Chrome-based (Chromium) browsers.

2. Will it detect extensions in Incognito mode?
   Yes, but only if the extensions are explicitly allowed in Incognito mode by the user.

3. Can this block or disable extensions?
   No. The component only detects and notifies about unwanted extensions. It does not have the capability to block or uninstall them.

4. What happens if an extension updates and changes its file structure?
   The detection for that extension may fail. Ensure that the file paths for extensions in the internal list are updated if their structure changes.

License

This component is open-source and available under the MIT License.