Do You Need an Enterprise Browser to Secure Your Organization?

Web browsers are a useful mechanism for handling many functions and types of media in one place, but they also present security risks and are common targets for hackers. Browser security refers to the measures and technologies implemented in web browsers to protect users from various security threats, such as malware, phishing and identity theft. 

These security features include secure browsing protocols, encryption, antivirus protection, pop-up blockers and protection against cross-site scripting attacks. By providing a secure browsing environment, browser security helps to protect user data and privacy and prevent cyberattacks.

Common Types of Browser Attacks

There are several common attack techniques that are used to compromise web browsers and steal user data. 

Drive-By Downloads

This is a technique in which malicious code is downloaded and installed on a user’s computer without their knowledge or consent. This can happen when a user visits a website that has been infected with malware, and the malware is automatically downloaded and installed on the user’s computer. Drive-by downloads can be delivered through various methods, including browser vulnerabilities, social engineering tactics and malicious ads.

Plugin Exploits

 Many browsers support plugins or extensions that can add extra functionality, but these plugins can also be used to attack users. Attackers can exploit vulnerabilities in plugins like Adobe Flash, Java or Silverlight to compromise a user’s browser and steal their data. This can happen when a user visits a website that has been designed to exploit the plugin vulnerability or when the user is tricked into downloading a malicious plugin.

Man-in-the-Browser (MitB) Attacks

A MitB attack is a type of attack in which an attacker intercepts a user’s web traffic and modifies it in real-time. This allows the attacker to steal sensitive data like login credentials or credit card information without the user being aware of the attack. MitB attacks can be carried out through various methods, including browser extensions, malware or by compromising the user’s network.

Browser-Based Cryptojacking

This is a relatively new type of attack that involves hijacking a user’s browser to mine cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin. Attackers use JavaScript code that runs in the background of a user’s browser, using the user’s computer resources to generate cryptocurrency for the attacker. This can slow down the user’s computer and increase their energy costs and, in some cases, can cause the browser to crash.

What is an Enterprise Browser?

An enterprise browser is a web browser designed specifically for use in enterprise environments, such as businesses, government organizations and educational institutions.

Enterprise browsers are typically more secure, reliable and customizable than consumer-oriented browsers like Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox. They may include features such as centralized management, policy enforcement and integration with other enterprise software applications.

Some of the key features that differentiate an enterprise browser from a standard consumer browser include:

  • Centralized management: Enterprise browsers can be centrally managed by IT administrators, allowing them to control settings and policies across multiple devices and users. This can include features like configuring proxy settings, restricting access to certain websites and disabling add-ons or extensions.
  • Enhanced security: They are typically designed with advanced security features to protect sensitive data and prevent attacks. This can include features like sandboxing, malware protection and automatic updates.
  • Customizability: They often provide a high degree of customizability, allowing administrators to tailor the browser to the specific needs of their organization. This can include features like custom branding, integration with enterprise applications and the ability to deploy custom extensions or add-ons.
  • Visibility into employee devices: Enterprise browsers provide administrators with visibility into the devices being used by employees, allowing them to monitor and manage browser usage across the organization. This can include features like usage tracking, auditing and reporting, which help to identify and mitigate potential security risks.
  • Supporting compliance: They can help organizations comply with industry-specific regulations and standards, such as HIPAA, GDPR and PCI DSS. This includes features like data encryption, access controls and audit logging, which help to ensure that sensitive data is protected and regulatory requirements are met.

How Does an Enterprise Browser Work?

Enterprise browsers work by providing a secure and controlled browsing environment that is specifically designed to meet the needs of organizations. Here are some of the ways that enterprise browsers work:

  • Predetermined access policies: Enterprise browsers allow administrators to define and enforce access policies for web browsing, which can include restricting access to certain websites or types of content, blocking downloads of certain file types and enforcing SSL/TLS encryption. These policies are defined and enforced centrally, ensuring consistent browsing policies across the organization.
  • Monitoring of browsing activities: They allow administrators to monitor and track employee browsing activities, providing visibility into which websites are being visited and what content is being accessed. This can help to identify potential security risks and ensure compliance with organizational policies.
  • Isolating web traffic to identify and block threats: They use advanced security technologies to isolate web traffic and prevent malicious content from reaching the end user. This can include sandboxing, which runs web content in a virtual environment to prevent it from interacting with other applications, and web filtering, which uses machine learning algorithms to identify and block malicious content.

What to Look for in a Browser Security Solution

When evaluating browser security solutions, security and IT teams should consider several factors to ensure that the solution meets their organization’s needs. Here are some of the key considerations:

  • Security scope: The browser security solution should provide comprehensive security features to protect against a wide range of threats, including malware, phishing, and data breaches. This should include features like sandboxing, web filtering, and encryption.
  • User experience: It should be user-friendly and not significantly impact the user experience. The solution should be lightweight and not significantly impact browsing speed or performance.
  • Productivity: The solution should not impede productivity or limit access to necessary resources. The solution should be designed to minimize false positives and not block legitimate websites or content.
  • Usability: It should be easy to deploy and manage, with minimal configuration required. The solution should be vendor agnostic, supporting a wide range of browser types and versions.
  • Support for different use cases: It should be flexible and support a wide range of use cases, including BYOD, remote work, and on-premises deployment. The solution should be scalable and able to accommodate the needs of growing organizations.
  • Privacy protection: An enterprise browser security solution should provide strong privacy protections to ensure that employees’ personal information and browsing habits are not compromised. The solution should comply with applicable privacy laws and regulations, such as GDPR and CCPA.

Conclusion

In conclusion, an enterprise browser is a web browser designed specifically for use in enterprise environments, offering a range of security, management, and customization features to help organizations protect sensitive data, prevent cybersecurity threats and ensure compliance with regulations and policies. 

With the increasing complexity of cybersecurity threats and the growing importance of online security, enterprise browsers have become an essential tool for many organizations. However, choosing the right enterprise browser solution requires careful evaluation of security features, user experience, productivity impact, deployment ease, vendor agnosticism, support for different use cases and privacy protection. 

By carefully considering these factors and selecting the right enterprise browser solution, organizations can protect their web browsing environment, improve productivity and ensure a secure and compliant online presence.

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Gilad David Maayan

Gilad David Maayan is a technology writer who has worked with over 150 technology companies including SAP, Oracle, Zend, CheckPoint and Ixia, producing technical and thought leadership content that elucidates technical solutions for developers and IT leadership.

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