GRocket versus Chrome plugins for Gmail – GRrocket

Chrome plugins have inherent security issues. GRocket is a SaaS application with superior security.

We all love Gmail, right? We think Gmail is the best email suite out there (sorry, MS 365) and we are constantly amazed by how simple and intuitive email communication has become with Gmail. But Gmail also has some drawbacks such as not being to send marketing campaigns (email or SMS), not offering email sequences and automations, not offering document e-sign capability, and in general making it quite hard to use Gmail as your primary customer outreach mechanism.

To address this, there is an entire industry of browser extensions (Chrome plugins) which aim to help you get “more” done with Gmail. While a plugin might seem convenient to install and simple to use, don’t forget the inherent security issues especially when you are dealing with highly sensitive customer data. While a plugin on its own may not have any malicious intent, it opens up a a huge attack surface which can be exploited in unexpected ways. The end result is not pretty, best case you have a data breach with confidential customer data floating out there in the wild. Worst case, you can also become the victim of sophisticated ransomware and/or malware.

See this Reddit post from one of the developers of Honey, a popular Chrome extension.

This post is 10 years old but the security issues with browser extensions still persist and popular plugins are prime candidates for malware and ransomware.

I am one of the developers of a popular Chrome extension and we’ve been approached by malware companies that have tried to buy us. AMA!
by u/gemusan in IAmA

Common security issues associated with browser extensions / Chrome plugins:

Malicious Extensions: Some extensions might be explicitly designed to be malicious. They could steal personal information, track browsing habits, or insert malicious ads into web pages.
Overly Broad Permissions: Some extensions might request more permissions than they need for their stated functionality. Overly broad permissions can give an extension (or anyone who takes control of it) more access to your data or system than necessary.
Vulnerabilities in Legitimate Extensions: Even well-intentioned extensions can contain vulnerabilities that might be exploited by an attacker. This could lead to unauthorized access to data or other malicious activities.
Data Privacy Concerns: Many extensions require access to your browsing data to function. If not handled securely, this data could be exposed or sold to third parties.
Phishing Risks: Some extensions might redirect users to phishing sites or modify legitimate sites to steal login credentials.
Adware and Spam: Certain extensions could inject unwanted ads into websites or redirect search queries to advertising sites.
Conflict with Other Extensions or Software: Interactions between different extensions or software could create security loopholes or vulnerabilities that might be exploited.
Supply Chain Attacks: If an extension’s developer’s systems are compromised, a malicious actor could insert malicious code into an otherwise legitimate extension.
Lack of Updates: If an extension is not regularly updated, known security vulnerabilities might not be patched, leaving it open to exploitation.
Insufficient Sandboxing: While Chrome generally runs extensions in a sandbox to limit their access to the underlying system, flaws or limitations in this sandboxing could potentially be exploited to escape these confines.
Use of Third-party Libraries: If an extension uses vulnerable third-party libraries, it might inherit those vulnerabilities.
Reputation Hijacking: Sometimes, malicious actors might take over a legitimate extension or mimic a popular one, thereby tricking users into installing something harmful.
Lack of Content Security Policies (CSP): Without proper CSP, an extension might be more susceptible to content injection attacks like Cross-Site Scripting (XSS).

To mitigate these risks, it’s important to follow best practices:

Only download extensions from official sources, such as the Chrome Web Store.
Check the publisher of the extension and look for reviews and ratings and the developer’s background. Is the company trying to hide their true identity? That is a huge red flag.
Be wary of extensions that request excessive permissions. This is perhaps the most common privacy and security issue with plugins. Why does XYZ plugin need access to my entire inbox? Ask these common-sense questions before you click on the install button.
Disable or delete extensions you no longer use. Regularly update all your extensions to ensure they have the latest security patches. Plugin not updated for months? Red flag!
Check the privacy policy of the extension to see what data it collects and how it’s used. Make sure your precious customer data is not being shipped off to a spam factory.
Consider using browser privacy settings or additional security software to add extra layers of protection. Keep in mind though that security software can do only so much when you have willingly given the plugin broad permissions over your inbox data.
Be especially wary of plugins that ask your permission for cross-tab tracking which means the plugin can gather browsing data across other tabs or websites, potentially even scrape data without your explicit knowledge or permission. Again, use common-sense and ask WHY any legitimate plugin would need such broad permissions to your browser data.

Remember, each extension you add increases your attack surface – the fewer extensions you have, the safer your browser will be. Google also has security measures in place to review and monitor extensions in the Chrome Web Store, but no system is entirely foolproof, so user caution is still warranted. Bottom line, using a Chrome plugin safely is no trivial task which is why SaaS applications like GRocket are inherently superior from a security standpoint.

Here are some reasons why the SaaS model is superior. Keep in mind that the security of a SaaS application depends on the provider and its commitment to security. Also, SaaS applications have their own potential risks, such as issues with data ownership and privacy, and reliance on the provider for service availability. Nonetheless, there are fundamental security advantages in a SaaS application which makes your customer data more secure and also your data usage more scalable.

Controlled Environment: SaaS applications typically run in a controlled server environment maintained by professional IT teams. They often follow strict security protocols, including regular monitoring, updates, and compliance with various security standards, something that may not be true for all Chrome extensions. SaaS providers generally have dedicated security teams that handle data protection, compliance, server security, and vulnerability management, which can result in robust security measures.
Data Privacy and Isolation: SaaS applications often provide better isolation of user data, especially if designed with privacy in mind. Extensions, on the other hand, often interact directly with your browser, potentially exposing your browsing behavior and data to third parties. SaaS providers also have data backup and disaster recovery plans in place. This means that your data is regularly backed up and can be restored in the event of an incident.
Regular Security Audits and Compliance: Many SaaS providers undergo regular security audits and must comply with various regulations and standards (such as GDPR, HIPAA, etc.), whereas Chrome plugins might not be subject to the same level of scrutiny.
Authentication and Access Control: SaaS applications typically have robust authentication and authorization systems that control who has access to what within the application. Chrome extensions might not have such granular control mechanisms.
Update Management: SaaS providers typically manage updates and patches centrally, ensuring that all users benefit from the latest security enhancements. With Chrome plugins, users may neglect to update, leaving them exposed to known vulnerabilities.
Vendor Reputation and Resources: Well-established SaaS vendors often have more resources to invest in security, including dedicated security teams. Chrome extensions can be developed by anyone, including those with malicious intentions or lacking the necessary skills to create secure software. This is not to say every extension is malicious, but many are and for a non-technical person it can be very hard to tell the difference.
Scope and Functionality: SaaS applications are generally built to provide specific services and store data in a controlled environment, whereas Chrome plugins interact directly with the web content you are viewing, which can expose them to additional risks such as Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) attacks or cross-tab data exploitation.
Third-party Risk: Chrome plugins often rely on various third-party libraries and services, which can introduce additional vulnerabilities if not properly managed. SaaS applications might also use third-party services but are much more likely to have strict vetting processes.
User Control: Users often have more control over what data they share with a SaaS application, while a Chrome extension might request broad permissions that give it wide-ranging access to browsing data. Eg – GRocket requires only the “send email” permission in your Gmail. That’s it, unlike a plugin we don’t need access to your entire browser data!
Scalability: As businesses grow, well-designed SaaS applications can often scale better to meet increasing demands. This scalability extends to security measures as well since there is less dependency on third-party systems to enable scaling, it happens in the cloud.

As you can see, the above points favor the SaaS model in terms of security. However it’s essential to evaluate each use-case individually. A well-designed and carefully maintained Chrome extension could be quite secure, while a poorly implemented SaaS application might have serious vulnerabilities. Always consider factors like the software provider’s reputation, the permissions requested, compliance with relevant regulations, and your own specific needs and context when evaluating the security of any software.

So what’s the bottom line?

Thousands of happy customers use GRocket as an email-first CRM to manage their marketing automation and sales outreach needs. GRocket puts your safety and data privacy first, and the only permission we need is the ability to “send email” via your Gmail account. We are a US-based company and our co-founders have worked in reputed tech firms like Amazon and Google.

Get your free trial (no credit card needed) and check it out for yourself!