The role of the Browser in Cyber-attacks

The browsers ability to facilitate secure communication, commerce, innovation, and collaboration  has made them indispensable tools in today's digital landscape. As the Internet evolves through digital transformation, browsers will continue to adapt to emerging technologies and challenges, reinforcing their pivotal role in global connectivity and economic activity.

Role of the Browser in Cyber-attacks

Browsers are one of the fundamental ways to access the Internet but also a primary entry point for cyber-attacks and compromises. There is much literature on attackers exploiting browser vulnerabilities to bypass security protections, gain unauthorised access, steal information or install malicious software.

For example, the browser allows attackers to deliver malware through fake and deceptive websites or malicious links embedded in emails. In some cases, directing them to fake login pages to steal credentials or to compromised websites that automatically download malware. (a tactic commonly used to deliver ransomware) According to the Anti-Phishing Working Group, 2023 was a record year for phishing.

And this is all before we even consider the rise of AI tools which have enabled phishing, delivered through the browser, to be increasingly convincing through tailored content based on specific user data to deceive even the most cautious user.

Browser Extensions and Plugins can often introduce security risks as they require permissions to access browsing data. These malicious extensions can collect sensitive information, inject code or even redirect users to compromised harmful sites. A well-known method of attackers is to use phishing techniques to convince users to install malicious extensions, which then compromise browser security​.

A convenient feature of many browsers is their ability to store passwords – more often not, without robust encryption! However, attackers gaining access to the device are able to retrieve said passwords. Additionally, certain forms of malware, such as credential-stealing trojans, are designed to harvest passwords saved in browsers.​

As cliqued as it is, the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the shift to remote and hybrid work, prompting organisations worldwide to support work-from-anywhere models. This also brought about a significant increase in the use of personal devices and home networks for work purposes – with many lacking enterprise-grade security. The 300% rise in cyber-attacks over this period was attributed to such things as an increased attack surface, weak endpoints and cloud vulnerabilities.

This model of remote work and hybrid work models is here to stay. Secure browsers offer a way to protect sensitive data and access secure applications safely, irrespective of where the employee is located. They isolate work activities from the personal browsing environment, reducing the risk of data leakage or exposure to malware from insecure home configurations.​

The Enterprise Secure Browser

Hence, the rise of the enterprise secure browser! A specialised web browser designed from the ground up with enhanced security and control functions to protect your sensitive data while reducing digital and cyber risks. Additionally, it also helps ensure compliance with organisational and regulatory policies. These browsers are typically tailored for business environments where employees access corporate resources, classified/sensitive data from web-based applications and through managed or unmanaged devices.

Some of the key features of these browsers include:

Data Protection and Encryption: Ensures sensitive data remains encrypted during browsing sessions, especially when accessing internal applications or cloud services.

Threat Detection and Response: Actively monitoring for potential threats, including malware, phishing attempts, and browser-based vulnerabilities. They also can isolate potential risky content or even restrict access to known malicious sites.

Access Control: Enables organisations to enforce multi-factor authentication (MFA), single sign-on (SSO), and other access policies in an integrated manner to limit who can view or interact with specific content.

Additionally, these browsers can be managed and monitored through the cloud where Admins can monitor usage in real-time, manage permissions, and configure settings remotely to maintain best practice and security compliance. With the rise of regulatory compliance, these browsers assist organisations in complying with industry specific regulations such as the Information Security Manual (ISM), CPS 234, ISO27001 and GDPR, by ensuring secure access, applying robust encryption, enabling access control, and supporting logging for audit purposes.

Enhanced Protection and Cost savings

When it comes to actively exploited high risk vulnerabilities, a secure enterprise browser can help prevent these by isolating and securing user interactions with web-based applications. For example, cross-site scripting (XSS), SQL injection, and remote code execution (RCE) associated with CVE-2024-23724 and CVE-2024-22108 can be mitigated through a cloud-based secure browser, which isolates and prevents the injection of malicious code.

Adoption of a secure browser can also help reduce costs associated with cyber incidents by proactively preventing data breaches and protecting against web-based threats. The real-time threat detection and isolating capabilities, reduce risk exposure and help prevent security incidents that can result in significant financial loss, downtime, and reputational harm.

A Considered Approach

For any business operating in this globalised environment, I see secure enterprise browsers increasingly being considered and adopted to strengthen security and reduce the risks associated with traditional browsers. This is especially where sensitive data, such as finance, healthcare, and government, are involved.

Additionally, where organisations face increasing high risk from online threats or legislative and regulatory oversight, secure browsers can be a great investment when considering the reductions in breaches and remediation costs, regulatory penalties and other technology management burdens. These are all welcomed benefits given the overall pressure stemming from the cost of living and business operational costs in this new world and new ways of working.

If you would like to discuss a Secure Browser Solution email here to get in contact with one of Enablis’ security experts.

This blog was written by Leonard Kleinman, Enablis CISO.