'The browser has become the new endpoint': New NordLayer browser looks to help boost SMB security like never before - here's what it can do

• NordLayer launches secure browser aimed at SMBs relying 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 ones.

The new NordLayer Browser

is built 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 aren’t addressing the issue properly.

Browser is "the new endpoint"

Andrius Buinovskis, head of product at NordLayer argues that, as companies increasingly depend on web-based SaaS applications, the browser becomes “the new endpoint”.

At the same time, both consumer browsers and their enterprise counterparts lack proper safeguards - consumer ones have no built-in security controls, and enterprise solutions are “too complex and demanding”.

Employees now spend most of their day inside browsers, logged into countless SaaS apps. As a result, cybercriminals are increasingly targeting identities and sessions, instead of actual hardware devices.

They do this in multiple 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 AI they are able to create highly targeted, well-written lures.

Browsers extensions are also a popular attack vector. They enhance the browser’s functionality through new features, or automations, but to do that, they often request broad permissions. Some extensions start benign, only to turn malicious after an update, and employees often install them freely, especially in SMBs without strict policies.

In essence, attackers are now bypassing endpoints altogether, targeting the browser session for sensitive data and broad access.

What NordLayer Browser offers

NordLayer listed a number of features which, it claims, help the browser stand out against other solutions.

Shadow IT management provides visibility into SaaS usage through web activity monitoring, tracking browser extensions, 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 particularly important for Web3 developers, since they often send cryptocurrency tokens by copying and pasting wallet addresses.

By monitoring the clipboard, crooks are able to swap out the wallet addresses during the copy/paste process, tricking their victims into sending funds into the wrong account.

The tool also comes with secure browsing capabilities, such 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 controls such as single sign-on and multi-factor authentication, unauthorized access is prevented and compliance maintained.

Finally, with zero-trust browsing, the browser manages how traffic flows and what users can access, since it routes traffic through approved gateways, provides secure tunnels to private resources, and enables admins 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, browser-native security, as well as access management and control without the complexity, rigidity, deployment challenges, or enterprise price tag. All of the features are designed to empower IT admins while maintaining a seamless browsing experience for employees.”

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