Chrome Extension

The Private Internet Access (PIA) Chrome extension offers a lightweight way to secure your browser traffic and access additional privacy features. Follow the instructions below to install and configure the extension.

Chrome Extension Setup

1. Install the extension: Add the PIA extension from the Chrome Web Store. Once installed, the red PIA robot icon appears in the top-right corner of your browser.

2. Sign in: Click the PIA icon to open the login overlay.

3. Enter credentials: Input your PIA username (e.g., p1234567) and password. Select the Remember Me checkbox to save your login information.

4. Connect: The main screen displays a power button and the Current Region. Click the Power button to enable the extension.

5. Verify connection: Once connected, the icon turns green. Visit the PIA website to ensure the status message reads "Protected."

To change your connection location, click the Current Region option. To access additional features, click the three dots in the top-right corner of the extension menu.

Note: If you change any extension settings, you must disconnect and reconnect to apply the changes.

Extension Features

Security:

• Block Adobe Flash: Prevents Chrome from running Adobe Flash, which can reveal your public IP address. PIA does not recommend disabling this.

• Block WebRTC IP Detection: Prevents Chrome from revealing public and private IP addresses when using WebRTC. PIA does not recommend disabling this.

Privacy:

• Block camera, microphone, and location access: Prevents websites from accessing these functions to gather information about you.

• Disable network prediction: Stops Chrome from pre-resolving DNS queries or pre-fetching webpages.

• Disable Safe Browsing: Disables the Chrome service that connects to network logs with privacy concerns. PIA MACE mitigates the risks of disabling this service.

• Disable credit card and address autofill: Prevents Chrome from automatically filling form data, which protects against data leaks via hidden fields.

Tracking:

• Disable third-party cookies: Blocks cookies set by domains other than the one you are currently visiting.

• Disable website referrer: Prevents Chrome from sending your current webpage address to another site when you follow a link.

• Disable hyperlink auditing: Blocks a feature used by analytics services to track link clicks.

• Remove UTM parameters: Removes Urchin Tracking Model (UTM) parameters from URLs you click. UTM parameters are used to track information about your visit to a website.

• Remove FBCLID parameters: Removes Facebook Click ID (FBCLID) parameters from outgoing links in Facebook. FBCLID parameters are used to track your activity across websites.

• PIA MACE: Blocks malicious content, trackers, and advertisements. Learn more about this feature here.

Extension:

• Allow desktop notifications: Enables notifications for important extension updates.

• Always active settings: Ensures your privacy settings remain active even when the proxy is disconnected.

• Dark Theme: Enables a darker interface for low-light conditions.

• Debug mode: Writes technical messages to a log for troubleshooting. Press Ctrl + D to view the log.

• UI Language: Sets the language used for the extension text.

Advanced Routing Features

Bypass List:

Use this feature to exclude specific websites from the PIA extension. This is useful if a website blocks proxy connections. Requests made to websites on this list use a direct connection and are not protected by PIA.

Smart Location:

This feature allows you to assign specific URLs to different server locations. For example, if you are connected to Chicago but visit a site assigned to Las Vegas, the extension automatically switches the connection for that specific tab only. All other tabs remain connected to the primary server.