Handy Tab Search
kfnpaphhpnngikfmnofpkakbaekbafil
Risk Score
4.22
Risk Level:
Medium
Recommendation:
🟡 MEDIUM RISK — review
Top Risks
- Default search engine override routes all searches to tryhandytab.com, enabling traffic monetization.
- Privacy policy is Google's generic account policy — not scoped to this extension; data practices undisclosed.
- 23 months since last update; approaching zombie-tier staleness with no changelog.
- No developer name listed; publisher identity thin despite verified status.
- 46 installs + search override = low-visibility monetization vector with minimal scrutiny.
Evidence
- search_provider_override manifest chrome_settings_overrides sets is_default=true, routing all default searches to https://tryhandytab.com/search
- generic_privacy_policy store Privacy URL is Google account policy (479KB); scope_extension=false, data_collection=true, third_party_sharing=true — not scoped to this ext.
- verified_publisher store Extension carries verified publisher badge; caps reputation floor at 2.0 but does not override search-override risk.
- staleness store Last updated September 2024; 23 months ago. Approaching 24-month stale tier (+6.0 Maintenance).
- no_developer_name store developer_name is empty string; no 'Offered by' display name in listing.
- no_js_code crx js_file_count=0, code_findings_raw empty, obfuscation_score=0.0 — extension is pure manifest search override.
- low_installs store Only 46 installs; low blast radius but also low scrutiny for a search-override extension.
- cve_findings_none crx cve_findings_raw empty; no bundled JS libraries detected.
Permissions Breakdown
- chrome_settings_overrides.search_provider (is_default: true) medium Overrides user's default search engine to tryhandytab.com; MEDIUM per rubric, scored on overrides even with empty permissions[].
Pillar Scores
Permissions3.00
Reputation2.00
Network0.00
Webstore4.00
Maintenance6.00
Privacy10.00
Code Quality0.00
CVE Exposure0.00
Bookkeeping
Rubric v3.6
Scored at 2026-08-31 11:35
Listing SHA
6e4503effd07…
Force block
— not fired
Score recovered
no
Elapsed
—