Google Chrome's built-in bookmark manager is easy to use and fun. However, it lacks one key feature—the ability to password-protect bookmarks. What if you don't want anyone else to discover your bookmarks after all that incognito browsing?
Or what if you regularly accumulate a lot of secret links that you'd rather prevent others from accessing in a shared device scenario?
This is where Chrome's extension support comes into play. Here are three great extensions that let you easily secure your bookmarks. Each one has its own unique features. Read on to find the one that's right for you.
1. HUSH – PRIVATE BOOKMARKING
Hush is a great-looking add-on and the only one on this list that works purely in incognito mode. Keep in mind—you'll need an annual or monthly subscription to use most of the available features ($9 per year or $XNUMX per month). However, the basic functionality should help you get through most incognito browsing sessions with minimal fuss.
After installing Hush, allow the extension to access incognito mode. It will prompt you to add a password, which you'll need to use whenever you want to add or access new bookmarks. The extension works completely outside of Chrome's bookmark manager, but you can import existing bookmarks into Hush if you upgrade to the paid version.
- Note: To enable Hush (as well as other extensions in this list) to work in incognito mode, right-click the Hush icon, click Manage extensions, and then turn on the switch next to Allow in incognito mode.
Whenever you want to add a bookmark, just click the Hush icon next to the URL bar, enter your password, and click Bookmark. You can also choose to bookmark all open tabs by clicking the down arrow next to the Bookmark button, and then clicking All Tabs. Neat.
When it comes to accessing your bookmarks, simply click “View” from the Hush pop-up menu, and the extension will take you to a dedicated bookmark management panel. By default, all bookmarks are located on the “Home” screen. You can also create new folders, but unfortunately, the functionality is limited in the paid version. Therefore, you’ll need to manage and organize your bookmarks regularly to prevent them from getting out of hand.
The paid version ensures that your bookmarks are automatically synced to Hush's online servers. This means you can easily access them from other devices while also serving as a handy backup. But what if you don't want to upgrade?
Alternatively, you can choose to create fully encrypted backups by manually exporting your bookmarks. Click the gear icon, click "Export Bookmarks," and copy the contents of the box to paste them into a text file. Only your Hush password can decrypt the text.
If you pay, you'll get other benefits, such as the ability to create shareable links that automatically expire after a set time. Considering the extension works so well, it's a worthwhile investment if you regularly use incognito mode.
However, there have been complaints from users on the Chrome Web Store who have had difficulties when it comes to canceling their subscriptions, so you may want to think twice before upgrading to the paid version.
2. SECURE BOOKMARKS
Secure Bookmarks looks a bit dated, especially in Chrome's latest Material Design 2.0 theme. However, it's completely free, works in both normal and incognito modes, and offers in-depth bookmark management features.
Just like Hush, you need to create a password to get started. To bookmark any webpage, simply click the Secure Bookmarks icon and then click Add Bookmark. You can also create new folders directly from the Hush pop-up window.
To explore more possibilities with the extension, click the Settings icon. You'll then access the configuration panel with a full set of options neatly categorized into side tabs labeled Settings, Import & Export, Backup, and Reset. They're pretty self-explanatory and offer serious functionality.
For example, the import and export option allows you to import existing Chrome bookmarks into the extension using drag-and-drop functionality by selecting individual items or folders. Alternatively, you can transfer bookmarks stored within Secure Bookmarks to Chrome's Bookmark Manager as well.
On the other hand, the Settings sidebar offers some customization options. You can choose to automatically log out of the extension after a specified period of time, specify the size of the Secure Bookmarks popup menu, or even add a context menu entry to save links without having to open them directly.
When it's time to back up your bookmarks, use the Backup tab. It works exactly like the one in Hush (minus the fancy aesthetics), where you simply copy and paste encrypted text into a text file. Additionally, you can choose to save your bookmarks in various unencrypted formats—TXT, HTML, and so on.
Overall, the Safe Tags extension works well. The only downside is the extension's inability to offer cloud-based backups, but you really can't complain about what it offers without having to pay a dime.
- 3. EVERSYNC
EverSync is an extension primarily designed to sync bookmarks between Chrome and Firefox. It doesn't support password-protected bookmarks unless you understand how the feature works.
Add the extension, sign in with your Google or Facebook account (or create a separate EverSync account), and you're ready to go. Click the EverSync icon, click Start Synchronization, and then click Merge to sync your Chrome bookmarks with EverSync.
Next, it's time to visit your EverHelper account online (also accessible by clicking the EverSync icon). You should see all your Chrome bookmarks synced to it, but what makes it special is its ability to lock your bookmarks by making them "private." Click the lock icon next to a coral bookmark to do this.
Bookmarks secured this way are only visible after you click the "Private" tab on the left side of your EverHelper account. Now comes the fun part. Sync your changes back to Chrome. Voila! This will automatically remove your private bookmarks from Chrome's bookmark manager, making them available only from your EverHelper account.
In short, using EverSync means you can handle your bookmarks as usual, sync them with your EverHelper account, secure the bookmarks you want, and then sync the changes.
- Tip: You can make entire bookmark folders private as well. Click the down arrow next to a folder, and then click Private.
As long as you remember to log out of each session, you have completely secure bookmarks that only you can access. And you can do this from pretty much anywhere, or from any other web browser, too!
The extension has 500 private bookmarks, and you need to upgrade to the Pro version to upload them ($44.99 per year or $4.99 per month).
Bookmarks locked and secured!
Surprisingly, Google Chrome (or any other browser for that matter) doesn't offer an additional layer of protection to protect your bookmarks from unauthorized access. But thanks to these extensions, it's now possible.
Which is your favorite? Silence with its crisp user interface. How about securing your bookmarks with a slew of free features? Or is it EverSync, where you can easily store any local bookmarks you consider private online? Let us know in the comments.
