Is Custom New Tab Safe? — Extension Safety Profile
Quick verdict: Custom New Tab earns a safety grade A, 91.3 out of 100, based on 5 of 5 dimensions.
91.3/100
Grade A · 5 of 5 checks
What we found
Automated safety profile from public signals (the extension's manifest & permissions, store listing, publisher, privacy policy). A full review hasn't been published yet.
We assess Custom New Tab from its the Chrome Web Store listing. It's also published on Edge Add-ons.
What this safety grade means
Custom New Tab earns a safety grade of A (91.3/100), measured across 5 of 5 dimensions. Its strongest area is Maintenance & Ownership (100%). The weakest is Publisher & Identity (60%) — what holds its grade back the most.
On the public records we can check, Custom New Tab comes through cleanly. 50,000 active users/installs reported on the store. Store rating 4.2/5 from 42 user ratings. Last updated on the store 2026-07-11. This is an automated profile, not a hands-on review — so treat the grade as a starting point: open Custom New Tab's own store listing and privacy policy before installing, and weigh it against the other browser extensions we track below.
Safety Signals
Based on 5 of 5 safety dimensions
| Dimension | Score | Bar | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Publisher & Identity | 60% · 4.8/8 pts 2 of 5 checks verified | Automated signals | |
| Permissions & Access | 100% · 25/25 pts 3 of 3 checks verified | Automated signals | |
| Data & Privacy | 100% · 16/16 pts 4 of 5 checks verified | Automated signals | |
| Maintenance & Ownership | 100% · 7.5/7.5 pts 1 of 2 checks verified | Automated signals | |
| Community Reputation | 74% · 7.4/10 pts 2 of 4 checks verified | Automated signals |
In-depth safety analysis
This extension requests only the "storage" permission, which lets it save your custom new tab settings (such as a background image or shortcuts) locally on your device. It cannot read your browsing history, see what you type, or access the content of websites you visit. For a new tab customization tool, this minimal permission set is normal and expected.
As with any extension that replaces the new tab page, a careful user should be aware that it controls the page shown when opening a new tab. While this extension’s limited permissions reduce the risk of ad injection or search hijacking, it is good practice to review permissions after updates and to be mindful of the developer’s reputation. Checking user reviews and the publisher’s website can provide additional context.
The fact sheet highlights strong Maintenance & Ownership, with a recent update and use of Manifest V3, suggesting active upkeep. The weakest dimension is Publisher & Identity, which may indicate the developer’s identity is less verified. This is not unusual for smaller publishers and does not signal a problem, but users who value publisher transparency may wish to look into the developer further.
AI-assisted analysis of the documented signals above (permissions, store data, privacy practices) — explains what they mean and the risks typical for this category. Not a hands-on test.
What the store listing shows
Who's Behind Custom New Tab?
- Publisher dictanote.co
Public records identify the publisher, but no individual founders or a separate registered company are named — which is what holds the Publisher & Identity score back. Less public information about who operates an extension means less you can verify about their long-term accountability.
How it compares
Among the 838 browser extensions we track, Custom New Tab scores higher on safety than 97% of them.
Computed from our own database of assessed browser extensions — updated as we track more.
Evidence on File (12)
Custom New Tab FAQ
- Is Custom New Tab safe?
- Custom New Tab earns a safety grade of A (91.3/100) on our evidence-based assessment, based on 5 of 5 safety dimensions we could verify from public records. This is an automated profile built from public records, not a hands-on review.
- Who is behind Custom New Tab?
- Custom New Tab is operated by dictanote.co.
Browse all browser extensions we've checked →