- NordLayer launches a secure browser aimed at SMEs that depend on SaaS applications
- 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 administrator oversight.
NordLayer has launched its own browser, claiming that it “fills the void” left by inadequate consumer browsers and poorly built enterprise browsers.
The new NordLayer browser
It is designed primarily for small and medium-sized businesses, particularly those that use many software as a service (SaaS) products. The company says browsers are the new security perimeter and current products do not adequately address the problem.
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The browser is “the new endpoint”
Andrius Buinovskis, head of product at NordLayer, argues that as businesses increasingly rely on web-based SaaS applications, the browser becomes “the new endpoint.”
At the same time, both consumer browsers and their enterprise counterparts lack adequate protections: consumer browsers do not have built-in security controls, and enterprise solutions are “overly complex and demanding.”
Employees now spend most of their day within browsers, connected to countless SaaS applications. As a result, cybercriminals are increasingly targeting identities and sessions, rather than actual hardware devices.
They do this in multiple ways, from phishing and account takeover to malicious extensions. Through phishing, for example, they manage to capture session cookies even from accounts protected with MFA; They use legitimate platforms like Google Docs to host or deliver malicious links, and with AI they can create well-written and highly targeted honeypots.
Browser extensions are also a popular attack vector. They improve browser functionality through new features or automations, but to do so they often ask for broad permissions. Some extensions start out benign, only to become malicious after an update, and are often installed freely by employees, especially in SMBs without strict policies.
In essence, attackers are now bypassing endpoints entirely, targeting the browser session for sensitive data and broad access.
What NordLayer Browser Offers
NordLayer listed a number of features that it claims help the browser stand out from other solutions.
Shadow IT Management provides visibility into SaaS usage by monitoring web activity, tracking browser extensions, blocking domains, and generating a complete activity log. With advanced data loss prevention (DLP), the browser may restrict access to the camera, microphone, file downloads, and clipboard. The latter is particularly important for Web3 developers as they often send cryptocurrency tokens by copying and pasting wallet addresses.
By monitoring the clipboard, criminals can swap wallet addresses during the copy and paste process, tricking their victims into sending funds to the wrong account.
The tool also comes with secure browsing capabilitiessuch as IP anonymization or web threat protection that blocks malicious and deceptive websites even before they load.
There is also DNS filtering based on categories and with SaaS access controls such as single sign-on and multi-factor authentication, prevent unauthorized access and maintain compliance.
Finally, with zero trust browsing, the browser manages how traffic flows and what users can access by directing traffic through approved gateways, providing secure tunnels to private resources, and allowing administrators to block or allow certain connections.
“The NordLayer browser reflects a deep understanding of the cybersecurity needs of SMBs and is backed by extensive industry experience,” says Buinovskis.
“It offers deep observability, native browser security, as well as access management and control without the complexity, rigidity, implementation challenges or enterprise pricing. All features are designed to empower IT administrators while maintaining a seamless browsing experience for employees.”
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