Port Authority

Name: Port Authority
Rating: 4.6222 (45 reviews)
Author: Hacks and Hops

Blocks malicious websites from port-scanning your computer/network and dynamically blocks all LexisNexis endpoints from running their invasive data collection scripts.

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Port Authority is a free and open-source Chrome extension designed to enhance your online privacy and security. It blocks all forms of port scanning attempts—including HTTP, HTTPS, WebSockets, FTP, and their secure variants—to prevent malicious actors from scanning your computer or network through your browser.

Additionally, it dynamically blocks the invasive tracking scripts deployed by LexisNexis ThreatMetrix, protecting you from aggressive data collection and fingerprinting attempts. The extension is lightweight, with core functionalities implemented in approximately 200 lines of commented code, which makes it easily auditable by anyone concerned about privacy and transparency.

Features include optional browser notifications when blocking attempts occur, a whitelist for trusted domains, and strong privacy practices that avoid storing or transmitting user data. With its focus on blocking malware-like port scans and privacy-invading scripts, Port Authority is essential for users looking to safeguard their digital footprint while browsing.

You can test its effectiveness via provided links and review or contribute to the project on GitHub. Port Authority requires permissions to monitor website data and display notifications strictly to alert about blocked scans and trackers without compromising privacy.

Add-on Privacy & Security Productivity Developer Tools

By:

Daily users:

Rating:

Version:

2.1.0 Last updated: 2025-05-05

Version code:

5936780

Creation date:

2021-03-22

Risk:

Permissions:

webRequest
webRequestBlocking
storage
tabs
notifications
dns
<all_urls>

Size:

173.62KB

URLs:

Website

Full description:

Source:

Firefox Browser Add-ons

Updated:

a day ago

Ranking

# 745 ▲ 30

Other rankings

#13 in Web Development ▲ 1

#24 in Privacy & Security

#1 in author keyword 11

#1 in import keyword 34

#1 in post keyword 19

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User reviews

Port Authority is praised for effectively protecting users' local networks and revealing intrusive website behaviors. However, multiple users highlight the lack of a persistent whitelist feature as a downside, making it inconvenient to use with trusted sites. Other issues include occasional problems with opening links from the browser to external apps and limited access to settings. Overall, it is seen as a good and enlightening security tool but would benefit greatly from improved whitelisting options to increase usability.

Pros

Effectively performs its intended function protecting the local network.
Reveals that many websites attempt to scan the user's local network.
Some users find it to be an enlightening and useful project.
Generally works well as an extension for network security.

Cons

Lacks a persistent whitelist feature, forcing users to disable it for certain sites/services.
Some users experience issues opening links from browser to app and with domain whitelist functionality.
Settings, such as the gear icon, are sometimes unavailable.
Can be counter-productive by blocking legitimate site functions, requiring temporary disabling.

Recent reviews

by - *****, 2025-06-12

by Fi*****, 2025-06-07

by Ma*****, 2025-06-05

View all user reviews ›

Extension safety

Risk impact

Risk impact measures the level of extra permissions an extension has access to. A low risk impact extension cannot do much harms, whereas a high risk impact extension can do a lot of damage like stealing your password, bypassing your security settings, and accessing your personal data. High risk impact extensions are not necessarily malicious. However, if they do turn malicious, they can be very harmful.

Port Authority requires some sensitive permissions that could impact your browser and data security. Exercise caution before installing.

Risk impact analysis details

Critical Grants access to browser tabs, which can be used to track user browsing habits and history, presenting a privacy concern.
Critical ****** ****** ** *** ********* ****** * *********** ******** **** ** ** *** ******* *** ****** **** **** *** ******* *****
High ****** *** ********* ** ******* *** ******* ******* ** ****** *** *** ******** ******
Medium ******* ******* ************* ***** *** ** ******* *** **** ******* ****** ******** *******

Risk likelihood

Risk likelihood measures the probability that a Firefox add-on may turn malicious. This is determined by the publisher and the Firefox add-on reputation on Firefox Browser Add-ons, the amount of time the Firefox add-on has been around, and other signals about the Firefox add-on. Our algorithms are not perfect, and are subject to change as we discover new ways to detect malicious extensions. We recommend that you always exercise caution when installing a Firefox add-on.

Port Authority is probably trust-worthy. Prefer other publishers if available. Exercise caution when installing this add-on.

Risk likelihood analysis details

Medium This extension was updated in the past 3 months. New updates may not be stable or safe.
Medium **** ********* *** ****** **** ****** ********* ********** *** *** ** ****** ** *****
Low **** ********* *** ***** **** **** * ****** **** ***** ********** *** **** ****** ** ** ****** *** *****
Good **** ********* *** **** **** *******

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