I just came across the recently released Chrome Extension @steem-plus by @stoodkev, which appears to offer some similar functionality to the TamperMonkey scripts I released as open-source several months back.  While I'm sure @stoodkev's Chrome extension is *probably* safe to use, one should be very cautious using any browser script or extension that can access your STEEMIT keys, *especially* if it's *closed source*! 

And while @stoodkev <a href="https://steemit.com/steem/@steem-plus/steemplus-extension-now-available-on-chrome-opera-and-firefox#@stoodkev/re-alexpmorris-re-steem-plus-steemplus-extension-now-available-on-chrome-opera-and-firefox-20170926t212028703z">did respond back to me</a> that he does plan to release the code on github, using extensions with STEEMIT remains a potential concern for many, as was described <a href="https://steemit.com/steemit/@alexpmorris/hide-resteems-just-released-a-new-and-simple-tampermonkey-script-for-you-know-what">in my post first introducing my "Hide ReSTEEMS" script</a>:

>... Then, in the past week, @itchykitten came up with a <a href="https://steemit.com/steemit/@itchykitten/extreemit-chrome-plugin-to-hide-resteems-on-profile-pages-original-by-itchy">slick solution in the form of a Chrome extension called **exstreemit**</a> that would add a "show / hide resteems" button to each profile page that you view. However, I anticipated from my own habits that not everyone would be all that comfortable installing the feature as an extension, even if @itchykitten <a href="https://github.com/ratacat/exstreemit">released the complete source code on github, as you can see here.</a> From some comments I've seen, it does seem that at least a few people would rather not install this feature as an outright extension.

In addition, several others noted their concerns in the comment section as well, *despite* the fact that the **complete** code to my script was made publicly available from the get-go:

>@divyne: Just a warning: Always be very careful with chrome plugins / tampermonkey scripts /whatever ... these things have way more access rights then they should have! I know, because if written some shit to mess with colleagues at work (all in good fun) .... seriously .... be careful
>>@alexpmorris: that's always an excellent warning. it's why I tried to keep the script as simple as possible so it's easy enough for people to follow and understand, if they're so inclined to do so.

>@nspart: This needs to be built in to Steemit as functionality. Most people will not add this script.
>>@alexpmorris: No argument from me there, except it's been over a year and one hasn't been implemented yet. However, if you'd be more comfortable with it, you can try using @itchykitten's Chrome Extension instead, or just wait 'til STEEMIT releases something.
>>
>>I'm just trying to give people an option in the meantime, fully open-sourced in an easy-to-follow script so they can be comfortable with it. If you have any better ideas beyond that, I'm open to suggestions! :)

## What, me worry?!

Despite the fact that I had designed and openly released my scripts in a way that would address these **exact** security concerns, I *still* had multiple comments from individuals reminding others to be especially careful when installing scripts and extensions that could potentially **hijack** your STEEMIT keys.  And rightly so, as it's a critically important issue for all STEEMIT users to be aware of!

However, there was practically no discussion on any of the @steem-plus posts of the potential dangers or security issues related to using a new Chrome extension with STEEMIT, not to mention one that currently remains *closed* source, and posted to a new STEEMIT account seemingly created for the sole purpose of presenting this extension.  Interestingly, the posts did attract quite a few upvotes from many well-respected fellow STEEMIANS, so it is also possible that they are already familiar with @stoodkev and comfortable with his work.

As such, the extension is probably fine, and will in time likely serve as an additional valued option for those interested in these features, especially once the source code is released and can be installed directly from its github repo.  However, I just wanted to make sure that everyone was aware of the other options, along with the potential risks involved in using *any* such "plugins".  It's better to be safe than sorry, and a better understanding of the risks of using STEEMIT and how to better protect yourself from them certainly can't hurt.  Here are two great posts, one by @gtg, and another by @timcliff, to that effect:

* Link: <a href="https://steemit.com/steem/@gtg/memos-keys-and-passwords-balrogs-and-fields-of-despair-be-safe-almost-usd100k-wasn-t">STEEMIT Memos, keys and passwords, Balrogs and Fields of Despair. Be safe. Almost $100k wasn't.</a>

* Link: <a href="https://steemit.com/security/@timcliff/warning-to-users-using-third-party-applications-be-extremely-careful-providing-your-keys-to-anyone-or-any-site">Warning to users using third party applications - Be extremely careful providing your keys to anyone or any site!</a>

## Post Vote Slider Woes...

Users should also be aware of problems that may arise using the Post Vote Slider, especially for those with extremely low SP (Steem Power).  That's why my script generally limits the slider to those with at least 72 SP, although some users have successfully lowered this value (it's a simple constant in the script), understanding the potential problems they may face by doing so, as described <a href="https://steemit.com/steemit/@alexpmorris/ultimate-steemit-post-vote-slider-and-past-payout-monetizer-and-next-here-comes-steemtube">in the post I wrote upon releasing the script</a>:

>First, I just wanted to make one thing clear. Lately many low SP users have experienced bandwidth issues interfacing with the blockchain. While there are several initiatives in the works to alleviate some of these issues, be aware that the more transactions you make on the STEEMIT blockchain (ie. more votes, especially **many very small votes**) the greater the chance you may be rate-limited for a period of time. If this happens to you, just wait a little while for your account to recover. Also consider voting a bit less frequently, and with more vote power as well.

>You can check your current "Bandwidth Remaining" on steemd.com, or if you're hanging out in one of the <a href="http://bit.ly/discord-whaleshares">Discord Chatrooms such as Whaleshares</a> where <a href="https://steemit.com/beyondbitcoin/@alexpmorris/steemit-world-meet-the-discord-community-s-latest-member-whalebot">WhaleBoT "lurks"</a>, 🐳he'll🐋 show you the approximate bandwidth you have remaining along with your vote power (ie. "whalebot vp alexpmorris").


## So by comparison, what do my scripts do?

For those unfamiliar with <a href="http://tampermonkey.net/">TamperMonkey</a>, it's a very popular userscript manager, available for Chrome, Safari, Opera Next, and Firefox. The scripts can easily be added to your TamperMonkey "Dashboard" as just another script to run, complete with source code as well so you can be quite certain there's no <del>tamper</del> "monkey business" going on! 🙊

I've included the full links at the end of this section for reference, but in summary, the scripts offer the following features:

* **"Hide ReSteems"** -- "Hide ReSTEEMS" adds a new button to all the feed pages, so that you can quickly and easily toggle all resteems.  This is a feature that I personally use very often, especially when trying to catch up on upvoting content by those I follow.  I can quickly and easily target the posts they wrote.  When I'm done "catching up", I click again to "show resteems", and see if I'm interested in upvoting any of their resteems.  The key, however, is that I don't miss any of the posts of those I'm actually following!

<center>
https://steemitimages.com/0x0/https://steemitimages.com/DQmfAfFF9TCipdqRAr8k5uFs4uZybeRvxVw6fQ6C3JCv4QH/hide-resteems2.jpg
https://steemitimages.com/DQmRyNNSgfuncbZJCfx3nSxNsVEvSqpHR94gBkXM9Nhg4NN/hide-resteems-buttons.jpg</center>

* **"Post Vote Slider"** -- This enables the post vote slider for steemians with over 72 SP, and also provides users with better upvote notifications.  It works on posts and comments alike, and you can tell it's active by the upvote circle turning a slight shade of yellow.
<center>https://steemitimages.com/DQmbmhSwTtxo86esLaCvWiTBBNdZsPpu92tJrxEQCTLRWQ9/upvote-slider-notify.jpg</center>

* **"Vote Past Payout" or "Vote Payment Declined"** -- This voting "feature" allows you to vote for a post **past the 7 day payout window**, as well as vote on posts that are designated as "declined payout"!  This feature only works if you are reading the full post, and is achieved by scanning all the author's comments for one that has yet to expire.  As long as a post still contains at least **ONE ACTIVE COMMENT**, whether the post is 1 week or 6 months past payout, the "Past Payout Monetizer" will find and target **THAT COMMENT** for an upvote instead!   And as simply as that, you can easily reward the author for their hard work, even if you've discovered it months after the first payout!

<center>![](https://steemitimages.com/DQmT6entUq4KDRW5SksdJqqLXp6Z1vbArdPg7G7FLmYMsig/image.png)</center>

<center>![SteemitPostVoteSliderAndPastPayoutMonetizer-Video-HowTo.gif](https://steemitimages.com/DQmPJRMFA3t1BaVoPf9yfBpY6g7zcP5mizE7cKUL3ewfft1/SteemitPostVoteSliderAndPastPayoutMonetizer-Video-HowTo.gif)</center>

For the complete posts on how to install and use the scripts, please refer back to the original posts here:

* Link: <a href="https://steemit.com/steemit/@alexpmorris/ultimate-steemit-post-vote-slider-and-past-payout-monetizer-and-next-here-comes-steemtube">Ultimate STEEMIT: Minnow Post Vote Slider and Past Payout Monetizer Script... and next, here comes SteemTUBE!!! 😲</a> 
*(this link shows how to quickly and easily install both scripts)*

* Link: <a href="https://steemit.com/steemit/@alexpmorris/hide-resteems-tampermonkey-script-toggles-feed-and-profile-resteems-now-for-golos-and-steemit">"Hide ReSteems": TamperMonkey Script Toggles Feed & Profile ReSteems, now for GOLOS and STEEMIT!</a>

* Link: <a href="https://steemit.com/steemit/@alexpmorris/hide-resteems-just-released-a-new-and-simple-tampermonkey-script-for-you-know-what">"Hide ReSteems" just Released... a new and simple TamperMonkey Script Toggles Feed & Profile ReSteems!</a>

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For those of you who are already familiar with TamperMonkey and don't want to go through more posts to give these scripts a try, you can easily install either or both scripts directly from greasyfork.org:

Script #1: https://greasyfork.org/en/scripts/31120-hide-resteems
Script #2: https://greasyfork.org/en/scripts/31619-steemit-post-vote-slider-and-past-payout-monetizer

You can also find both scripts on github.com as well:

Script #1: https://github.com/alexpmorris/HideResteems
Script #2: https://github.com/alexpmorris/SteemitPostVoteSliderAndPastPayoutMonetizer

If you plan to use both scripts, also make sure that "Hide ReSteems" loads first.  If it's running in the correct order, when you click the TamperMonkey extension logo, this is what you should see:

<center>https://steemitimages.com/DQmdpRTXembWMmnQDYemVhSztx9xRKK7yTSUh46zANQYkKg/image.png</center>

________________________

## In conclusion...

I hope you found this post helpful in better understanding STEEMIT, along with some of the options available to you to improve your STEEMIT "user experience", while doing so in as safe and cautious manner as possible!

___________________
<center>*As always, I appreciate your upvote, your follow and all your comments!*</center>