- NordLayer launches secure browser aimed at SMBs that rely on SaaS apps
- Features include Shadow IT management, DLP controls, IP anonymization and zero-trust browsing
- Designed to protect against phishing, malicious extensions and session hijacking while simplifying admin oversight
NordLayer has launched its own browser, claiming it “fills the gap” left by inadequate consumer browsers and poorly built enterprise browsers.
The new NordLayer Browser
is built primarily for small and medium-sized businesses, especially those that use many Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) products. The company says that browsers are the new security perimeter and that current products don’t properly address the issue.
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Browser is “the new endpoint”
Andrius Buinovskis, Product Manager at NordLayer claims that as businesses increasingly rely on web-based SaaS applications, the browser is becoming “the new endpoint”.
At the same time, both consumer browsers and their enterprise counterparts lack proper security measures – consumers have no built-in security controls and enterprise solutions are “too complex and demanding”.
Employees now spend most of their day in browsers, logged into countless SaaS apps. As a result, cybercriminals are increasingly targeting identities and sessions rather than actual hardware devices.
They do this in several ways, from phishing and account takeovers to malicious extensions. Through phishing, for example, they are able to capture session cookies even from accounts protected with MFA; they use legitimate platforms such as Google Docs to host or deliver malicious links, and with artificial intelligence they are able to create highly targeted, well-written lures.
Browser extensions are also a popular attack vector. They improve the browser’s functionality through new features or automations, but to do so they often request broad permissions. Some extensions start out benign, only to become malicious after an update, and employees often install them freely, especially in SMBs without strict policies.
Essentially, attackers now bypass endpoints entirely and target the browser session for sensitive data and broad access.
What NordLayer Browser offers
NordLayer listed a number of features it claims help the browser stand out from other solutions.
Shadow IT management provides visibility into SaaS usage through web activity monitoring, browser extension tracking, blocking domains and generating a comprehensive activity log. With advanced data loss prevention (DLP) elements, the browser is able to restrict camera, microphone, file downloads and clipboard access. The latter is especially important for Web3 developers, as they often send cryptocurrency tokens by copying and pasting wallet addresses.
By monitoring the clipboard, crooks are able to switch the wallet addresses during the copy/paste process and trick their victims into sending money to the wrong account.
The tool is also included secure browsing featuressuch as IP anonymization or web threat protection that blocks malicious and deceptive websites before they even load.
There is also category-based DNS filtering, and with SaaS access control such as single sign-on and multi-factor authentication prevent unauthorized access and maintain compliance.
Finally, with zero-trust browsing, the browser controls how traffic flows and what users can access by routing traffic through authorized gateways, providing secure tunnels to private resources, and enabling administrators to block or allow certain connections.
“The NordLayer browser reflects a deep understanding of SMB cybersecurity needs and is backed by extensive industry experience,” says Buinovskis.
“It offers deep observability, in-browser security, and access management and control without the complexity, rigidity, implementation challenges, or enterprise price tag. All features are designed to empower IT administrators while maintaining a seamless browsing experience for employees.”
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