Was The Great Suspender actually malware?

The original Great Suspender was a legitimate extension. However, after ownership changed in late 2020, the new version introduced code that security researchers flagged as potentially harmful. Google disabled the extension proactively to protect users. We recommend using established alternatives instead.

Is it safe to use The Great Suspender if I find it online?

No. The original extension was removed and disabled. Unofficial copies from download sites may contain the problematic code or additional malware. Only use established alternatives from the official Chrome Web Store.

What is the best alternative to The Great Suspender?

Chrome Memory Saver is the official built-in solution and works well for most users. If you need more customization, Auto Tab Discard is a well-maintained MV3 extension with customizable discard rules.

Can I recover my suspended tabs?

Some tabs may have been recoverable from Chrome session data when the extension was disabled. Check chrome://discards/ for information. However, most suspended tabs were likely lost when the extension was disabled. Chrome session restoration may have recovered some tabs.

Are there any legitimate forks of The Great Suspender?

Several community projects have attempted to create forks, but we recommend using established alternatives like Chrome Memory Saver or Auto Tab Discard instead. These are actively maintained, available in the official Chrome Web Store, and have transparent development.

Why was The Great Suspender sold in the first place?

The original developer chose to transfer ownership. This is common in the Chrome extension ecosystem. However, the new owner introduced code that raised security concerns, leading to the removal and disablement.

The Great Suspender Malware History and Safer Alternatives

Quick Answer

The original Great Suspender was removed from the Chrome Web Store and disabled by Google in early 2021 after public reports of malware-related concerns. The original extension was transferred to a new owner who introduced code that security researchers flagged as problematic. Chrome Memory Saver is the official built-in solution, while Auto Tab Discard is a well-maintained MV3 alternative.

Option	Type	MV3	Best For
Chrome Memory Saver	Built-in	N/A	Most Chrome users
Auto Tab Discard	Extension	Yes	Customizable tab management
Workona	Extension	Yes	Workspace organization
OneTab	Extension	Yes	Simple tab consolidation

Option

Type

MV3

Best For

Chrome Memory Saver

Built-in

N/A

Most Chrome users

Auto Tab Discard

Extension

Yes

Customizable tab management

Workona

Extension

Yes

Workspace organization

OneTab

Extension

Yes

Simple tab consolidation

What Happened to The Great Suspender?

The original extension was removed from the Chrome Web Store and disabled after public malware-related reports in 2021. The extension was originally developed by one developer and later transferred to a new owner. The new owner introduced code changes that security researchers flagged as problematic. Google proactively disabled the extension to protect users from potential harm.

Malware-Related History

In late 2020, The Great Suspender extension was sold to a new developer. In early 2021, security researchers discovered that the new version contained code that could potentially access user data or perform unwanted actions. Google removed the extension from the Chrome Web Store and disabled it for users who had already installed it. This is why you may see messages about The Great Suspender being disabled in Chrome.

Can You Install Old CRX Copies?

No. Installing old CRX copies of The Great Suspender is not recommended. These files may contain the problematic code, lack security updates, or include malware. Additionally, Chrome may block loading of extensions from unofficial sources.

Safer Alternatives

Chrome Memory Saver is the official built-in solution for managing memory with inactive tabs. Auto Tab Discard is a well-maintained MV3 extension available in the Chrome Web Store. Both options are safe, actively maintained, and provide similar tab suspension functionality.

How to Recover Old Suspended Tabs If Possible

If you had suspended tabs when the extension was disabled, some may have been recoverable from Chrome session data. Check chrome://discards/ for information about suspended tabs. Chrome session restoration may have recovered some tabs when the extension was disabled. However, many suspended tabs were likely lost in the process.

The Great Suspender Malware History and Safer Alternatives

Quick Answer

Tab Management Options

What Happened to The Great Suspender?

Malware-Related History

Can You Install Old CRX Copies?

Safer Alternatives

How to Recover Old Suspended Tabs If Possible

What Not to Do

Best Options at a Glance

Frequently Asked Questions

Sources

Related Pages