WOT (Web of Trust) is a browser extension that helps you identify dangerous websites by displaying color-coded reputation icons next to links and search results. It relies on a combination of machine learning algorithms and a global community of over 2 million users who rate sites based on safety, security, and trustworthiness.
Below is a complete guide on how to install, configure, and use the extension for safer browsing. How to Install WOT for Google Chrome
You can add WOT to your browser in a few quick steps directly through the official marketplace.
Open the Store: Launch Google Chrome and navigate to the WOT Page on the Chrome Web Store.
Add to Browser: Click the blue Add to Chrome button located on the right side of the screen.
Confirm Installation: A pop-up dialog box will appear asking for confirmation. Click Add extension.
Locate the Icon: Once installed, a circular WOT icon will appear in your browser’s extension toolbar (top right corner). How to Use WOT While Browsing
WOT works automatically in the background to visually flag the safety level of search results and websites.
Check Search Results: When using popular search engines like Google or Bing, WOT places a colored traffic-light icon directly next to each link. Decode the Traffic Lights: 🟢 Green: The site is highly trusted and safe to visit.
🟡 Yellow: Caution is advised. The site may have mixed reviews, pop-ups, or minor issues.
🔴 Red: Severe warning. The site is flagged for phishing, malware, scams, or dangerous content.
Read Detailed Reviews: Click on the colored icon next to any link or the main extension icon while on a site to open a dropdown panel. This shows specific community scores and written user feedback.
Contribute Your Feedback: You can register for a free account to rate websites yourself. If you encounter a scam or a safe site, click the extension icon and submit your rating to help protect other users. Adjusting Protection and Privacy Settings
After installation, you can customize how strict the extension is and manage your data preferences.
Choose Your Mode: WOT allows you to select your preferred level of filtering. Basic Mode (default) shows all green, yellow, and red icons. Light Mode only alerts you to threats by showing yellow and red icons. Parental Control blocks websites entirely if they are deemed unsuitable for children.
A Note on Privacy: Because reputation tools must check the URLs you visit against their database, they process your browsing data. WOT’s current Web Store developer disclosure states that data is not sold to third parties outside of approved use cases. You can inspect and adjust these permissions at any time within Chrome’s extension management settings.
To help tailor this, are you looking to protect against specific threats like phishing, or are you setting this up for child safety? WOT: Website Security & Safety Checker – Chrome Web Store
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