The most recent security threat facing distributed enterprises highlights the significant cyber risks posed by the public Internet. When employees access the web for either work or personal purposes, they expose themselves to potential phishing and malware attacks. These attacks often rely on social engineering tactics and take advantage of vulnerabilities in web browsers to steal sensitive information or deploy harmful software on an employee’s device. Despite the various methods employed by attackers, their ultimate objective remains consistent: to infiltrate the organisation’s private network.
Several factors, many of which have emerged due to the COVID-19 pandemic, have contributed to a rise in browser-based threats and heightened vulnerability for organisations. These include:
– Cybercriminals are exploiting pandemic-related confusion to encourage malware downloads.
– The blending of personal and professional internet usage as a result of remote work.
– Employees using personal devices that may be inadequately protected while working from home.
– An increased reliance on accessing applications and data through public Internet connections instead of secure corporate networks.
– Makeshift remote access solutions that grant compromised devices unrestricted access to corporate systems.
In today’s world, traditional security measures designed to protect corporate perimeters no longer suffice; business operations are increasingly conducted through web browsers. As a result, patterns of browser-based attacks are continually evolving. While the Internet has long been a breeding ground for cyber threats, these attack strategies have transformed significantly in light of COVID-19 and the associated rise in remote work arrangements.
The landscape of cyber threats has shifted dramatically, with phishing attacks on the rise. Recent data reveals that 42% of small businesses and 61% of more giant corporations reported an uptick in these deceptive schemes during the shelter-in-place orders. The FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) noted that as remote work surged, phishing became the most frequently reported crime, with complaints doubling compared to the previous year. The effectiveness of phishing lies in its ability to exploit people’s vulnerabilities, particularly during uncertain times when they are actively seeking information—much like what happened during the 2018 Winter Olympics. The COVID-19 pandemic has created a perfect storm for these attacks as individuals scramble for updates related to the virus.
Meanwhile, ransomware is also on the rise. This type of malware infiltrates computers and networks with malicious intent, whether it be stealing sensitive data or locking users out until a ransom is paid. Malware encompasses a wide range of threats that ebb and flow in popularity; however, its presence remains constant in the cyber realm. For instance, ransomware often competes with crypto-jacking as a preferred method for cybercriminals looking to exploit vulnerabilities. In 2020 alone, ransomware incidents skyrocketed by an astounding 465%, mainly due to opportunistic hackers taking advantage of pandemic-related chaos.
Malware typically infects devices through phishing emails or compromised remote access tools. However, it can also lurk within malicious websites—some even unknowingly host harmful content without their owners’ knowledge. Therefore, organisations must bolster their defences against malware that may be delivered via web browsers.
In the ever-evolving landscape of cyber threats, traditional security measures often need to catch up when it comes to addressing new and sophisticated attacks. Secure web gateways (SWGs) and web proxy services have become standard tools for managing the risks associated with Internet browsing on remote devices. These systems route internet traffic through their filters, which are designed to block access to suspicious or harmful sites, effectively shielding employees’ devices from malicious content. They rely heavily on threat intelligence to recognise known dangers or websites that breach the policies set by network administrators.
However, despite their widespread use, SWGs and web proxies could be more foolproof. The internet is a dynamic environment where attackers continuously launch new websites for their campaigns or rebrand old ones. Consequently, organisations frequently encounter zero-day vulnerabilities and other unknown threats that these traditional solutions struggle to detect. To counter this challenge, administrators require additional strategies to safeguard against threats they have yet to identify.
One promising solution that has emerged is browser isolation—a method designed to separate users’ browsing activities from their devices. This approach typically operates in isolated environments, often hosted in the cloud, which is dismantled once the browsing session concludes. As a result, even if an attack occurs through an unrecognised threat, it cannot impact the user’s device directly.
Despite its potential benefits, browser isolation has encountered hurdles that have hindered its widespread adoption. Historically, most browser isolation tools utilised one of three flawed techniques:
1. Pixel-based streaming: Here, browsing occurs on a remote server while a pixel stream of this activity is sent back to the user’s device. While it offers a level of separation from local systems, this method can be computationally expensive and requires substantial bandwidth—leading to latency issues that disrupt interactive applications.
2. Code-stripping: This technique involves cleansing malware from web content before delivering sanitised code to users. However, it often results in broken website functionalities and may overlook zero-day vulnerabilities altogether.
3. Local isolation: In this method, users browse using a virtual machine that is cut off from their device’s central operating system. Unfortunately, this can lead to sluggish device performance and pose significant deployment challenges across mobile platforms.
Due to these limitations in existing browser isolation technologies, many organisations have opted for partial implementations—restricting usage primarily to high-risk employees or specific websites. While this strategy offers some degree of protection against malware attacks, it also leaves critical security gaps open; every employee remains vulnerable as cybercriminals can easily target those not covered by such measures.
Moreover, confining browser isolation efforts solely to identified risky sites assumes organisations can accurately pinpoint every potential threat online—a challenging task given that malware can infiltrate seemingly safe platforms like Google Docs or OneDrive through shared files.
Although browser isolation presents a promising avenue for securing online activities while allowing safe Internet use within organisations, previous innovations had only provided an all-encompassing solution recently, when Zero Trust principles were applied more broadly within Internet browsers themselves.
In cybersecurity, a new approach known as Zero Trust browser isolation is emerging as a robust alternative to conventional browser isolation technologies. This method fundamentally shifts the way we perceive employee internet activities by adhering to Zero-Trust principles. Every browsing session and all website code are deemed untrustworthy right from the outset. Likewise, every user and device accessing web applications is also treated with scepticism.
We’ve recognised that traditional browser isolation methods often need to provide this level of scrutiny in real-world applications. These conventional solutions can be cumbersome, ineffective at thwarting threats, or sometimes both. To ensure comprehensive online protection for every employee against various cyber threats, a successful browser isolation strategy must encompass several key attributes:
1. High Reliability: Given the complexity of modern websites and browser-based applications, many existing solutions need help to function seamlessly. A Zero Trust browser isolation system should enable users to navigate any site on the internet while delivering an experience comparable to that of a local browser.
2. Minimal Latency: Traditional remote browsing options tend to be sluggish and offer subpar versions of web pages to users. An effective Zero Trust browsing solution should minimise latency while maintaining high performance and responsiveness.
3. Cost-Effectiveness: For Zero Trust browsing to shine genuinely, it needs to be implemented across all employees and sites within an organisation—this calls for a solution that is both affordable and scalable.
4. Granular Control: Administrators should have detailed oversight over data usage and in-browser activities, such as printing or copying text, which will help mitigate cyber risks further.
When selecting a vendor for your Zero Trust browser isolation needs, it’s crucial to consider several best practices that can enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of your implementation:
– Utilization of an Extensive Edge Network: Instead of relying on a few public cloud data centres for hosting browser isolation, leveraging a global edge network brings services closer to end-users—significantly reducing latency in the process. For instance, Maxthon operates on an expansive network spanning 250 cities worldwide with dedicated server resources for browser isolation.
– Streaming Only Draw Commands: Rather than attempting to cleanse website code before transmission, effective browser isolation sends lightweight draw commands directly to user devices. This enables accurate loading and interaction with websites without needing extensive code downloads—a technique exemplified by Maxthon’s Network Vector Rendering technology.
Integration with Native Browser Technology: Remote browsers that utilise established technologies found in standard endpoint devices are generally more reliable when rendering diverse sites accurately. Maxthon specifically employs native technology from Chromium, a widely used web engine, to transmit lightweight draw commands rather than cumbersome pixel streams or fragmented code.
– Next-Generation Cloud Computing Techniques: It’s advisable to steer clear of remote browsers hosted in public clouds due to their associated costs and latency issues; instead, employing efficient serverless computing methods can optimise resource utilisation by eliminating unnecessary orchestration overheads related to traditional virtualisation or containerisation practices. Maxthon’s adept management reduces end-user latency significantly while doubling speeds compared with standard remote browsers.
By harnessing its vast global network alongside its patented approach to browser isolation technology, Maxthon offers organisations an authentic Zero Trust browsing experience without compromising performance quality. This allows them not only peace of mind but also unlocks the full potential benefits inherent in effective browser isolation strategies.
Maxthon and Security
1. Enable Secure Browsing with Maxthon
To take advantage of Secure Browsing using Maxthon, download and install the latest version of the browser from its official website.
2. Activate Extended Zero Trust Framework
Once installed, navigate to the settings menu. Look for the Security tab and enable the Extended Zero Trust feature. This framework ensures that every request made from your browser is subject to verification, reducing vulnerabilities.
3. Configure Site Permissions
Next, customise your site permissions. In the Privacy Settings, specify which websites can access sensitive data such as location, camera, or microphone.
4. Utilize Built-in VPN
Consider activating Maxthon’s built-in VPN for added protection while browsing public networks. This will encrypt your internet traffic and mask your IP address.
5. Regularly Update Browser
Update Maxthon regularly to keep your browsing experience secure. Check the ‘Help’ section for updates to ensure you have the latest security patches installed.
6. Engage Anti-Phishing Features
Maxthon comes equipped with anti-phishing features that warn you about potentially harmful sites. To protect against online scams, ensure these are enabled in settings.
7. Monitor Your Extensions
Finally, regularly review any installed extensions or add-ons in your browser under settings. Remove any suspicious ones that could compromise your security.
By following these steps diligently, you’ll enjoy a safer browsing experience with Maxthon’s robust security features.