Safari is one of the most popular browsers in the world, especially among Mac users. However, it also comes with some serious security limitations that can expose users to various web threats, such as phishing, malicious file downloads, and data loss. In this blog post, we review why the basic protection that Safari offers is insufficient, and how you can enhance your browser security with Perception Point’s new extension.

The Problem: Safari’s Basic Protection is Not Enough

Safari is designed to be fast and user-friendly, but it also sacrifices some security features that other browsers have. For example, Safari does not scan file downloads for malware or viruses, nor does it provide any advanced data loss prevention (DLP) controls to prevent users from accidentally or intentionally leaking sensitive information via the browser.

This means that organizations are vulnerable to various web attacks that can compromise user devices, data, and identities. For instance, a user could fall victim to a phishing scam that tricks them into entering their credentials on a fake website, or a malicious file download that infects their Mac with malware. A user could also lose their data by uploading it to an unauthorized cloud service or sending it via email or chat without encryption.

These risks are not hypothetical. In fact, Mac users encounter many different types of malware that can be downloaded via the browser, such as adware, spyware, ransomware and trojans. Some of these malware attacks can even bypass built-in security features of Mac OS X, such as Gatekeeper and XProtect. Moreover, Mac users are often targeted by cybercriminals who exploit the common misconception that Macs are immune to malware.

Security-Focused Browser Extensions

To protect yourself and your organization from these web threats, you need more than the basic protection that Safari offers. You need a comprehensive browser security solution that can detect and block malicious websites and files, as well as prevent data loss by users.

One novel approach to browser security is using browser extensions. Browser extensions are small software programs that add functionality to the standard browser. They typically are used to enhance the user’s browsing experience by adding features such as ad blockers, password managers, and VPNs. However, they can also enhance browser security by adding multiple layers of protection against web threats.

The advantage of using a browser extension for security is that it is lightweight and non-intrusive. It does not require installing any additional agent software on your device. It also does not affect browsing performance or privacy. It simply works in the background, scanning and filtering the web traffic that goes through your browser.

Perception Point’s Advanced Browser Security Now Fully Supports Safari

Perception Point specializes in advanced threat prevention solutions for email, browsers, and a variety of cloud apps. Our Advanced Browser Security offering had support for Chrome and Edge since its launch last year, adding multiple layers of security to these standard browsers. 

We are happy to announce that we now support the Safari browser. Perception Point’s Safari extension significantly enhances Safari security by providing the following features:

  • Best-of-breed website and file detection: Our extension uses advanced machine learning algorithms and cloud-based scanning engines to detect and block phishing websites and malicious file downloads in real time. We leverage our proprietary technology and threat intelligence to identify even the most sophisticated and evasive web attacks. This is the first Safari extension that fully scans file downloads, giving you an extra layer of protection against one of the most common attack vectors on the web.
  • Enhanced browser governance: Our extension allows you to control and monitor the browser activity of your users. You can set a variety of policies and rules, e.g. to restrict access to certain websites or categories, such as social media, gambling or adult content. 
  • DLP controls: Our extension helps you prevent data loss by users via the browser. You can define a list of sensitive web apps which will be protected from user-driven data exfiltration. You can set restrictions on clipboard, downloads, uploads, printing, etc.

Summary

Perception Point’s Safari extension provides Mac users with a range of advanced security features to protect against cyber threats. By using this extension, Mac users can browse the web with confidence, knowing that they are protected from a range of threats. With our commitment to staying at the forefront of cybersecurity, we are confident that this extension will provide a significant boost to our customers’ security posture.

To learn more about Advanced Browser Security, contact us today!