Traditional network security solutions are working in different ways because of the cloud and digital transformation. Users can talk to each other around the world, use SaaS apps from anywhere, and get information that can help them with their main business tasks thanks to the cloud and the web. People who use computers can now do a lot of new things.
Because of this, the computer has become the business’s nerve centre. At this point, the browser is where on-premises and cloud platforms meet.
For users, it opens up the whole web, from managed external SaaS apps to apps and websites that aren’t authorised, as well as to internal resources like business apps.
Browsers have made business processes and resources more vulnerable to new threats, though. Data security problems can happen in the browser, like when data gets leaked to shadow SaaS or uncontrolled devices, or when people make mistakes that aren’t meant to be made.
Browser Security Solutions
Large companies also often have security holes because of web-based threats like malware injections, phishing attempts, and malicious attacks. Website visits are important for business, but they also pose a security risk.
This is where internet safety comes in handy. A browser security platform shields users and their data from dangers and risks, such as data loss or theft, malware, ransomware, phishing, accidental data exposure, and other types of attacks and hacks.
Browser Security for Enterprises: How Does it Work
These days, businesses often use forwarding proxies and CASB options to try to keep website traffic safe. However, these systems only offer some security and not end-to-end security at a fine-grained level.
A browser security platform will protect data right from the browser endpoint, making it possible to inspect, monitor, and control it.
Functionalities
The security option for browsers can do the following three things:
Secure Access Enforcement: Stopping users from doing dangerous things in a browser that could leave apps, devices, and data open to being hacked or losing data. A lot of the time, we do this by following the rules.
Risk detection: It involves looking at all of a user’s web activity and sessions and marking any strange behaviour that could mean there is a risk in the browser session.
Visibility and Monitoring: All browsing behaviour across all web destinations, sessions, and data exchange can be seen at a high resolution.
Benefits
- Make the browser a safe place for security experts to work that they can easily control.
- Keep old business apps, data, and gadgets safe from threats on the web, risks from browsing, and threats from inside the company. Allow you to see what users are doing when they’re looking.
- Make sure users have a good experience (some options).
- Making the computer have zero trust.
- Keep both controlled and unmanaged devices safe, even from outsiders.
Which Type of Browser Security Solution Should You Choose
Three main types of web browsers are available:
- Websites that work with any browser
- Business Browsers
- Isolating a local browser
- Let us look at what makes each type different.
#1) Browser-Agnostic Platforms
The Browser-Agnostic Platform is a small agent that is put on commercial browsers that workers are already using. The browsers that employees are already familiar with are still used, but an extra extension makes sure that their reading is safe.
Pros:
- Doesn’t change performance
- Great experience for users
- Deployment without friction
- More protection for users; the ability to use the built-in security features of commercial browsers
- Available right off the shelf
Cons:
- Less browser isolation, device exposure, and file processing on the device itself (we can add EPP/EDR to this).
#2) Enterprise Browsers
People who work for a company are supposed to use an enterprise browser to read websites that are related to their jobs. The custom browser is not open to the public like commercial browsers are; it is fully controlled and managed by the business.
Pros:
- More control over what can be done on the computer.
- More information about the gadget that is hosting.
Cons:
- Make people switch from their old computers to a new one.
- Consumer computers have more features than these.
- Makes an organisation dependent on it.
- Most of the time, they are less safe than business browsers.
- Longer steps for deployment.
- Needs more time to train users.
#3) Local Browser Isolation
Tools that separate browsing processes in virtual environments or change how the browser works in real time to stop attacks that are linked and keep exploits, remote code execution, and downloaded malware from accessing the device’s OS and files.
Pros:
- Very strong protection against browser bugs.
Cons:
- Bad experience for users.
- Lessened the security of surfing.
Top Secure Browsing Solutions
#1) LayerX Security
Best for businesses that need a complete browser security solution that works with all browsers and doesn’t slow down work, invade users’ privacy, or ruin their experience.
Solution Type: A security tool that works with any browser.
LayerX is a security platform that works with any browser and protects browsing behaviour in real time with almost no impact on the user experience.
LayerX uses its own AI to look at every web session, find strange things that could mean risks to users and data, and make sure that all viewing and access is safe in real time. The people who work for the company can access any web site without worrying about the many risks that come with the web.
LayerX offers fine-grained tracking and risk analysis so that security teams can see every event more clearly, without affecting the user experience, business agility, or privacy of users. Large businesses can use this to push a “cloud-first” approach.
Features:
- Making rules about how to use different SaaS apps based on job, location, situation, or security risks and then enforcing those rules.
- It separates suspicious web pages and files on demand to stop malware or browser attacks.
- AI-based dynamic web page scanning for detecting malicious material.
- Users’ activities can be seen at all web destinations, including websites and both authorised and unapproved SaaS apps.
- Control who can access your account and keep an eye out for possible password theft to stop account takeovers.
- Emails and destinations are becoming safer.
- Improvements to authentication and permission.
- Limits on how data can be used.
- Support for both controlled and unmanaged devices.
Verdict: LayerX is a complete browser security tool that works with all browsers. It lets security teams make the browser a key part of their security architecture by keeping an eye on and controlling what users do on the web in real time. This can be done on any commercial browser, and it keeps users’ privacy, efficiency, and the best possible experience.
Website: LayerX Security
#2) ManageEngine Browser Security Plus
The best way to find and handle different online security threats.
Browser Security Plus from ManageEngine is business-level software that will keep your computers safe from many threats. Viruses, ransomware, phishing, Trojans, and watering hole attacks are some of these risks.
The software can keep different browsers safe and in order across the network. You can see exactly how your computer is being used. You get all the tools you need to make sure that different browsers follow certain security settings. With this software, access to browser-based apps and parts can be properly controlled.
Features:
- Find and fix browser security holes
- Set up security settings securely.
- Get a full picture of browser add-ons and usage patterns
- Manage sites, plugins, and tools for your browser
Verdict: Browser Security Plus from ManageEngines is great software that IT managers can use to keep private company data safe from almost all types of cyberattacks. One console gives you all the tools you need to protect and control different browsers.
Website: ManageEngine Browser Security Plus
#3) The island
The best option for businesses that want to use a custom browser.
Solution Type: Enterprise browser
Islands is a business browser that lets companies fully control how browsers work and see what they’re doing. While Island is built on Chromium, it lets you change how the browser looks and what features it has.
Features:
- Making rules for usage, both for internal users and outside users.
- Keeping an eye on incidents of user behaviour.
- Change how a browser looks and works, as well as its code and process.
- Help for both controlled and unmanaged devices.
- Managing accounts with special rights.
- Allow adding anti-malware and separation technology to the browser’s pre-encryption level.
- Compatible with Explorer.
Verdict: Island is the best “Enterprise browser” and has a lot of great features, especially for big businesses. Island’s mature system gives businesses full control over browsers, but they have to rely on one vendor.
Website: Island
#4) Talon
Best for businesses that want to use an Enterprise browser on devices that the company doesn’t control.
Solution Type: Enterprise browser
Talon is another business browser that is based on Chromium. Talon separates website traffic locally at the endpoint and works with Identity Providers to make it easier to add users and apply policies.
Features:
- Data loss prevention, which includes encrypting files, stops sensitive files from being shared outside of the organisation or kept on endpoints. It also limits what can be done with those files.
- Better safe browser features and URL filtering.
- A scanning tool that stops harmful files from being used.
- Verification with no trust.
- Third-party control of browsing.
- Checks for device cleanliness.
Verdict: Talon markets itself as a tool that uses a modified browser to keep unmanaged devices safe.
Website: Talon
#5) SlashNext
Best for keeping you safe from zero-hour scam sites.
Solution Type: A security tool that works with any browser.
SlashNext’s solution protects businesses from spear-phishing and human hacking. It finds zero-hour phishing risks by using virtual browsers and machine learning to do dynamic run-time analysis on billions of URLs every day.
Features:
- Protection against many vectors.
- There is phishing everywhere.
- Made to deal with encryption problems.
- It works in all major browsers.
- Experience for business users.
- SlashNext System for Endpoint Management.
- Several choices for deployment.
Verdict: This is a cloud-based computer security solution for all browsers that focuses on keeping users safe from zero-hours phishing sites.
Website: SlashNext
#6) Seraphic Security
Best for keeping old browsers that haven’t been updated safe from browser attacks.
Solution Type: Local Browser isolation.
Seraphic is a small browser agent that works inside browsers to log all events and code executions. This helps protect against web-based threats like exploits, social engineering, web application vulnerabilities, and more. Seraphic Security’s security and governance skills are based on its ability to implement policies.
Features:
- Exploitation avoidance engine by putting a layer of abstraction between the code and the engine that runs JavaScript.
- A tool that looks for malicious code behaviour.
- Page research on a website to find strange things and odd behaviour.
- By checking files, limiting what users can do, and adding watermarks, you can stop data loss.
- Logs for audits.
- Real-time scoring and review.
- Help for old web tools.
Verdict: Seraphic focuses on stopping browser exploits, which are a very uncommon type of attack. However, it lacks the detailed management and research tools that businesses need to find browsing risks.
Website: Seraphic Security
#7) Grip Security
Best for keeping SaaS safe.
Solution Type: Browser-Agnostic platform
A security tool for finding SaaS risks like shadow SaaS, hanging access, zombie accounts, and the use, abuse, and misuse of cloud apps. Grip Security ranks risks and lets implementation rules stop bad things from happening.
Features:
- A lot of attention is paid to business names and accounts.
- Finding risks and threats in SaaS.
- Keeping data safe.
- 10 years of finding the past.
- Setting priority for risk.
- Ability to use security and data governance rules that can easily be changed to fit your needs.
- Making authentication harder.
- User activity and event visibility: user interaction, application volume, data usage metrics, and data mapping without violating employee privacy.
- Control over versions and applications.
Verdict: This is a great answer for a very specific problem: keeping an eye on and safely accessing SaaS apps. Some of the other browser security platforms offer a wider range of features and protection options than this one.
Website: Grip Security
#8) Perception Point Web Security
The best way to protect computers from exploits and malware
Solution Type: Local browser isolation
Perception Point has a solution that separates the browser from other computers, finds risks, and stops people from accessing phishing websites and downloading harmful files. The solution also keeps corporate web apps safe from outsiders and devices that aren’t managed.
Features:
- Separate browsers
- Protecting business web apps
- Stopping phishing
- Web-based threats, including zero-day flaws, can’t get through.
- Solution in the cloud
Verdict: Perception Point’s solutions are built on the purchase of Hysolate, a web-isolation solution that works with Perception Point’s phishing detection features. Their web separation method hasn’t caught on in the market because it hurts the user experience.
Website: Perception Point Web Security
#9) Checkpoint Harmony Endpoint
Best for people who already use Checkpoint EDR.
Solution Type: Platform that works with any browser
An endpoint solution that guards against ransomware, phishing, and drive-by malware by finding and responding to threats on its own.
Features:
- Automation of detection and fix.
- Using machine learning techniques to look at behaviour.
- Automated examination of forensic data.
- Full control and repair of the attack.
Verdict: This is an old answer that is meant to work with Checkpoint’s EDR solution for their current clients.
Website: Checkpoint Harmony Endpoint
Conclusion
A browser security solution helps businesses protect themselves from threats and risks that come from exploring the web. Your users will be able to enjoy the business benefits of web viewing while also protecting themselves from harmful threats such as data leakage, data exfiltration, malware, ransomware, phishing, and more.
We looked at 9 browser security options in this piece.
There are three different kinds:
- Browser-Agnostic Platforms: LayerX, Slashnext, Grip Security, Checkpoint Harmony Endpoint.
- Custom Browsers: Island, Talon
- Local Browser Isolation: Seraphic Security, Perception Point.
There are five main things you should look at when picking a computer security solution:
Relevant Security Scope: Making sure the solution can find and protect against all current web-based threats and browsing risks that are relevant. Some methods only protect against threats from yesterday, not tomorrow.
High Employee Productivity: Putting in place a solution that helps the business move forward by making it easy for employees to use their computers and browse the internet, just like they did before the platform was put in place.
Zero Impact on the User Experience: Picking a system that works with workers instead of against them. In this case, workers should be able to keep using the tools they are already familiar with or that are simple to use. This includes making sure that there is low latency connectivity when browsing and deploying almost without anyone noticing.
User Privacy Protection: Making sure that no PII or private information can be leaked or broken into to protect the privacy of employees. In an ideal world, private data would not leave the user’s gadget.
Simple Deployment: Look for a system that is easy to set up. A lot of the time, security teams have to deal with Shadow IT or promote the use of security solutions. This kind of friction and resistance can be taken away by an answer that is easy to put into action.
