Linux – How to install extensions on Chromium without the web store

You are forgetting the following:

The more popular an extension is, the smaller is the chance of nobody noticing that the add-on does something harmful.

In contrast to that, if you install some extension that nobody else has used before, you risk more than, let's say, installing AdBlock. Considering that so many people are using it, it is almost safe to say: Someone would have noticed unusual traffic.

In fact, all extensions disclose their source code, so anybody could basically go ahead and look for anything suspicious themselves.

The warnings are just there so you can't blame the browser vendors for any damage done, in case you install something that goes rogue with your data. Always read the reviews of add-ons that look suspect to you before installing them.

Also note that, for example Google can check the submissions:

While Google is not obligated to monitor the Products or their content, Google may at any time review or test your Products and their source code for compliance with this Agreement, the Google Chrome Web Store Program Policies, and any other applicable terms, obligations, laws, or regulations, and may use automated means to conduct such review

Removal of an extension can of course cause some trouble to the developer.

I have adapted the following steps from emb1995's answer to a related question.

1. On the Chrome Web Store website, visit the extension's detail page. For Lazarus, that's <https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/lazarus-form-recovery/loljledaigphbcpfhfmgopdkppkifgno?hl=en>.

2. Copy the extension's ID from Chromium's address bar to the clipboard. Lazarus's ID is loljledaigphbcpfhfmgopdkppkifgno.

3. Visit https://clients2.google.com/service/update2/crx?response=redirect&x=id%3Dinsert_the_extension_ID_here%26uc, but replace "insert_the_extension_ID_here" with the actual ID.

4. Click the "Continue" button.

5. Enjoy using the extension.

_{Lazarus 3.0.5 now works fine for me on Chrome 6.0.472.63.}

_{Lazarus stores copies of all sorts of data, including private emails. So don't forget to enable Lazarus's encryption feature.}