Inline Web Extension Installation via Trusted Marketplace Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users face challenges in safely installing web applications and browser extensions from untrusted websites, as they lack information about the applications' permissions and trustworthiness without navigating away from the developer's website.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that allow users to view information about web applications or browser extensions from a digital marketplace within the web browser, ensuring the information's correspondence and allowing inline installation without leaving the developer's website, by receiving user action, displaying information, and installing the application upon user indication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If users navigate to a digital marketplace website to verify information about web applications or browser extensions, then they can obtain trustworthy information about permissions and safety, but they must leave the developer's website and lose their current context
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism (the browser's inline installation interface) that mediates between the developer's website and the digital marketplace. This intermediary allows information from the trusted marketplace to be displayed within the context of the developer's website, eliminating the need for users to navigate away while still providing verified application information, permissions, and safety checks.
2Productivity
If users install web applications or browser extensions directly from a developer's website, then the installation process is simple and fast, but users cannot verify the application's trustworthiness or permission requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by requiring that information about web applications and browser extensions (including permissions, reviews, and safety information) be fetched from a trusted digital marketplace before the installation process begins. This preliminary verification step occurs inline on the developer's website, allowing users to review all necessary information before committing to the installation, thus maintaining both speed and information completeness.
3Productivity
If large companies automatically trust applications downloaded by employees, then employee productivity is improved, but security risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where information about web applications and browser extensions is continuously fetched from trusted digital marketplaces. This feedback loop provides real-time information about application permissions, user reviews, and safety status, allowing organizations to make informed trust decisions without manually reviewing each application. The system automatically provides verified information that helps balance productivity with security.
4Adaptability or versatility
If developers host applications on their own servers, then they maintain control over their products, but users become doubtful about safety compared to trusted marketplaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the strengths of both developer-hosted applications and trusted marketplace applications. By integrating the inline installation capability (which maintains developer control and context) with the verified information display from trusted digital marketplaces, the system combines the adaptability of developer control with the reliability of marketplace verification. Users can install from developer websites with the same confidence as marketplace installations.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for installing an offered web application or browser extension in a web browser includes receiving a user action on a website located at a first internet domain. Information about the offered web application or browser extension not currently installed in the web browser is displayed in response to the user action. The displayed information is provided by a digital marketplace located at a second internet domain distinct from the first internet domain. A correspondence of the displayed information to the offered web application or browser extension is ensured through functionality provided by the web browser. An indication to install the offered web application or browser extension is received from a user, and the web application or browser extension is installed in response to the received indication.