Is Dashlinks - New Tab safe?
Dashlinks - New Tab replaces the browser's new tab page and sends every search query to search4it.net along with the extension ID and version.
When a user types a search in the new tab page, the extension redirects the query to search4it.net/search.php, appending the extension's version and internal Chrome runtime ID to the request. This means the operator can track which users are running which version of the extension through their search activity.
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Findings
New tab searches go to search4it.net with extension metadata
Submitting a search from the Dashlinks new tab redirects to search4it.net, carrying the search text, the extension ID, and version 1.0.2, so the provider gets both the query and the extension identifier.
You submit a search from the extension's new tab page.
The manifest makes index.html the Chrome new tab page, and that page contains a search form.
The extension redirects the browser to search4it.net with your query and extension metadata in the URL.
The submit handler reads the search box, reads the extension version, and appends chrome.runtime.id before navigating.
| Field | Value | Why it matters | |
|---|---|---|---|
Your search text | weather tomorrow | This is the text you typed into the new tab search box. | |
Extension ID | gfkcocmdmegcelbkamlglehhomiahgjm | This identifies the installed Chrome extension that sent the request. | |
Extension version | 1.0.2 | This shows which release of the extension produced the request. |
The new tab search submit handler constructs the redirect URL
{
"update_url": "https://clients2.google.com/service/update2/crx",
"background": {
"service_worker": "service_worker.js"
},
"chrome_url_overrides": {
"newtab": "index.html"
},
"default_locale": "en",
"description": "__MSG_appDesc__",
"icons": {
"128": "128.png"
},
"manifest_version": 3,
"name": "__MSG_appName__",
"permissions": [
"storage",
"topSites"
],
"version": "1.0.2",
"web_accessible_resources": [
{
"resources": [
"128.png"
],
"matches": [
"<all_urls>"
]
}
],
"action": {
"default_icon": "128.png"
}
}<div class="search_container">
<form class="search">
<input type="text" class="main"/><span class="searchicon"></span>
</form>
</div>function searchListener() {
document.querySelector('form.search').addEventListener('submit', function (el) {
console.log(el);
el.preventDefault();
var manifestData = chrome.runtime.getManifest();
window.location.href= "https://search4it.net/search.php?v="+encodeURIComponent(manifestData.version)+"&id="+encodeURIComponent(chrome.runtime.id)+"&q="+encodeURIComponent(document.querySelector('input.main').value);
});
}- search4it.net
Receives the new tab search request with q, id, and v query parameters.