Classroom Camouflage: The Art of Digital Stealth
Designed originally for students who needed a quick way to switch focus, this extension has evolved into a robust privacy tool for anyone working in open offices, libraries, or public cafes. It allows for rapid concealment of browser tabs with a single keystroke.
The "Panic Button" Mechanism
The core feature is simple but effective: instant obfuscation. When you trigger the hotkey, the extension doesn't just minimize the window (which looks suspicious). Instead, it instantly navigates the active tab to a safe, pre-selected educational or productivity website.
- Safe Redirects: Configurable list of "safe" sites like Wikipedia, Google Classroom, or a generic spreadsheet.
- No History Trail: Options to automatically scrubbing the visit from your immediate history stack.
- Custom Hotkeys: Bind the stealth action to a key that is easy to reach but hard to hit accidentally.
This tool is designed for privacy, not for violating serious school or workplace policies. Use responsibly. Being deceptive can compromise trust.
Advanced Features
Beyond the simple redirect, Classroom Camouflage offers more nuanced tools for the privacy-conscious user:
1. Tab Masking
This feature changes the favicon and title of your tabs to look like something else. You could be reading a gaming forum, but your tab bar says "AP European History Notes."
2. Low-Profile Mode
Removes bright images and distracting banners from websites, rendering them in a text-heavy, "boring" mode. This makes non-work browsing less visually conspicuous from a distance.
3. Timer-Based Auto-Hide
Set a timer for your "break" browsing. When the time is up, the extension automatically redirects you back to your work tab. This prevents you from getting lost in a rabbit hole and forgetting to switch back.
Why Use Camouflage?
It's about autonomy. In an era of constant surveillance and screen monitoring, having control over what is displayed on your personal viewport is a form of digital boundary-setting. Whether you are planning a surprise party while your partner is in the room, or just taking a mental health break without needing to explain it, Classroom Camouflage gives you that buffer.