Many Chrome extensions need to connect to the web to receive updates and function properly, but there is usually little transparency in that process unless the developer explains every link in detail. However, the Little Rat extension lets you monitor the network requests made by any extension, helping you check whether everything is in order or if something malicious is happening in the background.
Unless you use an alternative browser with built-in features, you probably want to install a couple of extensions. Many are "fire-and-forget" and require no extra attention, but others depend on internet access to update databases, layouts, and secondary resources.
The problem is that you can never trust 100% the developer's intentions, and what initially seems like a reliable extension can turn into a spam and advertising distributor without warning. Fortunately, projects like Little Rat exist to monitor all the network requests of your extensions.
Watch all the connections of your extensions with Little Rat
Unfortunately, the extension is not available in the Chrome Web Store, so you'll have to install it manually. First, download a copy from its GitHub profile, then dump the contents into a temporary folder, and finally install the extension using the "Load unpacked" option that appears when you enable developer mode.
The rest is just browsing and waiting for Little Rat to announce the first connections with a red icon. Each extension is accompanied by an arrow and a speaker icon. Clicking the arrow expands the full list of requests (the extension groups repeated links), and if you conclude that an extension is safe, a click on the speaker makes it "mute".
They say the price of peace is eternal vigilance, and everything Little Rat does is enable that possibility. Personally, I think Chrome should create a similar system that reports connections in real time, but until that happens, Little Rat is a good addition.
Official site and download: Click here
