Why does the 2FAS Auth Browser Extension require permission to “Read and Change All Your Data”

Browser extensions often need specific permissions to effectively carry out their intended functions. In the case of the 2FAS Auth Browser Extension, it requires permission to “Read and Change All Your Data” in order to locate the 2FA input field on websites and automatically paste the 2FA token for you.

To understand why this permission is necessary, let’s break it down:

1. “Read and Change All Your Data”:
   Although this permission may sound intrusive, it is a general requirement for browser extensions to access and interact with the content of web pages. It enables the extension to read the HTML code of a website, search for specific elements like the 2FA input field, and modify the content of the web page by pasting the token.
2. Locating the 2FA input field:
   The 2FAS Auth Browser Extension needs to identify the location of the 2FA input field on a website. Since websites have different structures and designs, the extension must scan the page’s HTML code to find the appropriate input field. This necessitates access to the website’s data in order to search for specific elements and interact with them.
3. Pasting the 2FA token:
   Once the extension locates the 2FA input field, it requires permission to modify the data in that field by pasting the 2FA token. This action completes the automated process of filling in the token, saving you time and effort.

If you have concerns about data privacy and security, please note that you can review the code of the 2FAS Auth Browser Extension on our GitHub repositories. This transparency allows you to examine the code and ensure that your data is handled securely. By reviewing the code, you can verify that the extension only accesses and modifies the necessary elements on web pages and does not misuse or collect any additional data.

Remember to always review and trust the source before installing any browser extension to ensure the safety of your data.