You’ve probably seen the warnings by now. Maybe a little yellow exclamation mark popped up in your browser, or you saw a tech headline screaming about "deprecated extensions." It's enough to make anyone paranoid. Is that shield icon in your toolbar actually helping you, or is it a back door for something nasty?
Honestly, the short answer is yes. uBlock Origin is safe. In fact, it's widely considered the gold standard for privacy. But "safe" is a loaded word in 2026, especially with Google actively trying to kill off the version we all know and love.
There is a massive difference between something being "malicious" and something being "unsupported." Most people are getting these two mixed up. Let's get into what’s actually happening under the hood.
The Chrome "Warning" Scaring Everyone
If you're using Google Chrome, you might have seen a message saying uBlock Origin is "no longer supported." This isn't because the extension found a virus. It’s because of a technical shift called Manifest V3.
Google basically changed the rules for how extensions are allowed to talk to the browser. The original uBlock Origin uses a method (Manifest V2) that gives it a lot of power to block scripts before they even start. Google says the new rules are for "security and performance," but critics—including uBlock's creator, Raymond Hill—argue it’s just a way to make ad blocking less effective.
So, when Chrome tells you it's unsafe or unsupported, they're talking about their own internal policy. It's not a warning about malware.
Why the "Lite" version exists
To stay in the Chrome Web Store, Hill released uBlock Origin Lite. It's safe too, but it's different. It's basically a "set it and forget it" version. It doesn't need broad permissions to read your data because it uses the browser's own built-in filtering.
- Original uBO: Powerful, works best on Firefox, gives you total control.
- uBO Lite: Limited, works on Chrome, follows Google's new restricted rules.
Does uBlock Origin steal your data?
This is the big one. We've all heard stories of popular extensions getting sold to shady companies that then turn them into spyware. It happens all the time.
But uBlock Origin is different for one very specific reason: it’s GPLv3 licensed and open-source. Anyone with the technical chops can go to GitHub right now and read every single line of code Raymond Hill (known as @gorhill) and his team have written.
There are no "home servers." No telemetry. No "anonymous usage statistics" being sent back to a mothership. Most "free" tools are actually selling your browsing habits to the highest bidder. uBlock Origin doesn't even accept donations. It exists purely because a group of developers wants a cleaner internet.
The Fake uBlock Scams
Here is where things actually get dangerous. Because uBlock Origin is so popular, scammers try to ride its coattails. If you go to a search engine and type "adblocker," you might see:
- uBlock.org: This is NOT uBlock Origin. It’s a completely different project that has, at various times, allowed "Acceptable Ads" (ads that pay them to be shown).
- uBlock Plus / uBlock Ultimate: These are often clones or low-quality forks that might actually contain trackers.
The real one is always uBlock Origin. If it doesn't have the "Origin" in the name, you’re looking at something else. Check the developer name. It should always be Raymond Hill or the official uBlock team.
What happens if you keep using it?
If you're on Firefox, nothing changes. Mozilla has stated they’ll keep supporting the powerful blocking tech uBlock Origin needs. It remains the safest, fastest way to browse on that platform.
On Chrome or Edge? The "safe" original version is being forced out. You’ll eventually find it disabled automatically. You can switch to the Lite version, which is safe but less "aggressive" against the really sneaky trackers. Or, you could do what a lot of tech enthusiasts are doing: jump ship to a browser that doesn't let an advertising company decide which security tools you can use.
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How to make sure you're protected
If you're worried about your current setup, do a quick audit. It takes two minutes.
First, go to your extension settings. Look at the ID or the "Source" link. It should point back to the official GitHub repository or the verified store page. If you see ads inside your ad blocker, delete it immediately. That’s a dead giveaway you’ve installed a clone.
Second, check your filter lists. You don't need to turn everything on. In fact, turning on too many lists can actually make you stand out more to "anti-adblock" scripts—a process called fingerprinting. Stick to the defaults like EasyList and Peter Lowe’s Ad server list. They’re the most vetted and safest options for 99% of people.
The Bottom Line
uBlock Origin isn't just safe; it’s one of the few pieces of software left that actually treats the user like a human being instead of a product. The warnings you’re seeing are mostly about corporate politics, not digital viruses.
🔗 Read more: Promiscuous Mode Explained: Why Your Network Card Is Listening to Everything
If you want the full experience, use it on Firefox. If you must stay on Chrome, the Lite version is a fine compromise, but it’s definitely a "downgrade" in terms of raw power. Just stay away from the imitators, and you'll be fine.
Actionable Next Steps
- Verify your version: Open your extension dashboard and ensure it says "uBlock Origin" with the version number (currently around 1.68.x in early 2026).
- Check the "Lite" transition: If you are a Chrome user, look for uBlock Origin Lite in the web store to replace the original before Google fully disables Manifest V2 extensions.
- Audit your browser choice: Consider testing a browser like Firefox or Brave if you find that your favorite privacy tools are no longer working as they used to on Chromium-based platforms.