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Swif Chrome Extension: Installation & Overview
Swif Chrome Extension: Installation & Overview
Updated over 2 weeks ago

The Swif Chrome Extension is designed to help organizations manage web access, enforce IT governance, and streamline team collaboration directly within Google Chrome. Whether you need complete visibility into potential “Shadow IT” tools, or you simply want team-wide access to essential online resources, the Swif Chrome Extension has you covered.


1. Key Features

  1. Team Access Reading

    • AI Vision & Shadow IT Dashboard: The Swif Chrome Extension observes web app permission tables and usage patterns, automatically feeding that data into the Shadow IT dashboard for easy monitoring.

    • No Grant/Restrict Option: This feature focuses on collecting usage data for AI-related tools and services; it does not provide an option to explicitly allow or block specific pages.

  2. Prevent Shadow IT Sign-Ups

    • Automated Detection: Identifies and flags sign-up attempts to unapproved SaaS or AI services directly within Google Chrome.

    • Risk Reduction: Helps prevent employees from unintentionally introducing non-compliant or high-risk tools into your organization.

  3. Custom Blocklists & Allowlists

    • Organization-Wide Enforcement: Configure which websites and services are either approved or forbidden across your entire team.

    • Real-Time Alerts: Receive immediate notifications if a user attempts to access newly flagged or restricted sites, enabling quick action to maintain compliance.

  4. Complete Visibility & Control

    • Track & Display Usage Frequency

      • Log how often AI tools (browser-based or local) are accessed and present usage data in clear visual formats (charts, counts, or color-coding).

    • Improve Visibility & Insights

      • Enable administrators to spot top-used AI tools, identify usage trends, and discover potential problem areas.

      • Integrate seamlessly with the existing Shadow IT layout and Swif’s design standards.

    • Support Actionability

      • Flag tools for further investigation or blocking.

      • Drill down into usage data to see which departments or teams utilize certain AI services most frequently.

  5. Reset Device Account Password

    • Employee-Initiated Resets: Users can reset their device user account passwords directly within the Swif Chrome Extension.

    • Enhanced Security: Streamlines the password-reset process while reducing security risks associated with lost or compromised credentials.

  6. Startup Page by a New Tab

    • Custom Launch Experience: Set a new tab as the default startup page in Chrome, enabling quick access to key resources every time a browser session starts.


2. Installation Steps

Follow these steps to install and set up the Swif Chrome Extension:

  1. Open the Chrome Web Store

    1. In your Chrome browser, navigate to the Chrome Extension Download page.

  2. Add the Extension to Chrome

    1. Click on the extension from the search results.

    2. On the extension’s product page, select “Add to Chrome.”

    3. When prompted, click “Add Extension” to confirm.

  3. Confirm Installation

    1. Look for the Swif icon in your Chrome toolbar.

    2. If it’s not visible, click the puzzle piece icon and pin the Swif extension for easy access.

  4. Organization-Wide Deployment

    If you’re an IT admin or have administrator privileges, you can deploy the Swif Chrome Extension across your entire organization, ensuring that all users have the extension automatically installed. To learn how to set this up using your domain’s management tools, refer to How to Deploy Swif Chrome Extension Organization-Wide.

    This guide walks you through:

    • Configuring Group Policies (for Windows environments)

    • Using Google Admin Console for Chrome Enterprise setups

    • Managing deployment permissions to ensure a seamless rollout for all users

    By deploying Swif organization-wide, you can centrally manage extension settings, permissions, and updates—helping maintain security and compliance at scale.


3. Getting Started

  1. Sign In or Create a Swif Account

    1. Click the Swif extension icon in your Chrome toolbar.

    2. Enter your Swif account credentials or create a new account if you’re a first-time user.

  2. Configure Your Organization Settings

    1. Access the Admin or Team settings (if you are an administrator) to set up domain filters and user permissions.

    2. Create or adjust blocklists and allowlists based on your company’s IT policies.

  3. Explore Team Access Reading

    1. Share or restrict pages at the team level.

    2. Collaborate on real-time content by enabling or disabling site access as needed.

  4. Enable Shadow IT Protections

    1. Turn on automated monitoring and blocking of unauthorized services by deploying the Swif extension organization-wide.

    2. Configure alerts for suspicious sign-ups and usage to maintain complete visibility.


4. Tips & Best Practices

  • Pin the Extension
    Keep the Swif icon in your toolbar for quick access.

  • Set Up Web Filtering Early
    Establish your organization’s blocklists and allowlists so you can enforce correct policies from the start.

  • Review Activity Regularly
    Use Swif’s dashboard to monitor site visits, sign-ups, and emerging Shadow IT risks.

  • Train Your Team
    Encourage employees to learn how and why certain websites or tools are blocked or allowed—improving compliance and security awareness.


5. Troubleshooting & Support

  1. Extension Permissions

    • Ensure you’ve granted the necessary permissions for Swif to manage or monitor the sites you visit.

  2. Browser Updates

    • Keep Chrome updated to the latest version to maintain compatibility with Swif’s extension.

  3. Contact Swif Support

    • If you face any issues or have questions, visit Swif Support or use the in-app chat to connect with our support team.


6. Conclusion

The Swif Chrome Extension is the perfect solution for organizations seeking to streamline collaborative web access, proactively manage Shadow IT risks, and maintain a secure online environment. By following the steps above, you’ll be ready to harness the full power of Swif’s features—ranging from team-based page access to robust domain filtering and real-time visibility into potentially unauthorized apps.

For in-depth guidance on advanced functionalities, check out the related page, support articles or contact our support team.

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