Is User-Agent Switcher Safe? — Extension Safety Profile
Quick verdict: User-Agent Switcher earns a safety grade B, 73.9 out of 100, based on 5 of 5 dimensions.
73.9/100
Grade B · 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.
What this safety grade means
User-Agent Switcher earns a safety grade of B (73.9/100), measured across 5 of 5 dimensions. Its strongest area is Data & Privacy (100%). The weakest is Permissions & Access (58%) — what holds its grade back the most.
On the public records we can check, User-Agent Switcher looks broadly trustworthy. 30,000 active users/installs reported on the store. Store rating 4.3/5 from 107 user ratings. Last updated on the store 2025-12-17. This is an automated profile, not a hands-on review — so treat the grade as a starting point: open User-Agent Switcher's own store listing and privacy policy before installing, and weigh it against the other user-agent switchers extensions we track below.
Safety Signals
Based on 5 of 5 safety dimensions
| Dimension | Score | Bar | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Publisher & Identity | 60% · 4.8/8 pts | Automated signals | |
| Permissions & Access | 58% · 14.6/25 pts | Automated signals | |
| Data & Privacy | 100% · 16/16 pts | Automated signals | |
| Maintenance & Ownership | 85% · 6.4/7.5 pts | Automated signals | |
| Community Reputation | 74% · 7.4/10 pts | Automated signals |
In-depth safety analysis
This extension requests broad permissions: it can store settings locally, inject scripts into any webpage, and modify network requests on all sites you visit. For a user-agent switcher, the ability to alter HTTP headers via declarativeNetRequest is expected, but the combination of scripting and full host access means it can technically read and change every page’s content and all network traffic. That scope is higher than strictly necessary for simply changing the user-agent string, though it may support advanced features like per-site rules.
General safety considerations for browser tools that modify requests include the risk that a poorly maintained or malicious version could intercept sensitive data or alter page behavior. A careful user should verify that the extension comes from a trusted source, review its permissions, and consider whether a simpler alternative with narrower access would suffice. Since user-agent switchers are often used for privacy testing, be aware that they can also be used to track you if the extension itself phones home.
In this case, the strongest dimension is Data & Privacy, where the developer has declared that data is not sold or misused, earning a perfect score in that category. The weakest dimension is Permissions & Access, reflecting the extensive host and scripting privileges that lower the safety margin. While the extension is currently maintained and has a decent community reputation, the permission model demands caution.
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 User-Agent Switcher?
- Publisher chYer
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 5 User-Agent Switchers extensions we track, User-Agent Switcher has the highest safety score.
Computed from our own database of assessed User-Agent Switchers extensions — updated as we track more.
Evidence on File (12)
User-Agent Switcher FAQ
- Is User-Agent Switcher safe?
- User-Agent Switcher earns a safety grade of B (73.9/100) 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 User-Agent Switcher?
- User-Agent Switcher is operated by chYer.
Alternatives we track
Browse all browser extensions we've checked → · Best User-Agent Switchers extensions