SquareX’s ‘Browser Isolation’ opens links in protected cloud

Startup company SquareX recently announced a $6 million seed fund for a ‘disposable browser.’

Aiming to protect users from cyber threats, SquareX has introduced a browser extension that isolates web activities in a secure cloud environment, ensuring seamless and transparent user experience.

Vivek Ramachandran, Founder and CEO of SquareX, explained how this technology is set to redefine online security, especially against threats like phishing, identity theft, and session hijacking.

He explained that when users navigate the web, they are often at risk of encountering malicious links and attachments that can contain malware or ransomware. SquareX's browser isolation technology addresses this by opening these potentially harmful links and files in a protected cloud sandbox.

"The user feels like he's still using his regular browser tab, while in reality, these links and files are opened in a cloud sandbox," Ramachandran said, adding that this method ensures that any malicious content executes in the isolated cloud environment and not on the user's computer, providing a robust layer of security.

Ramachandran noted that users are reluctant to switch from familiar browsers like Chrome or Firefox as new browsers would also necessitate ongoing security patches, potentially making it less secure.

In contrast, a browser extension seamlessly integrates with the user's existing experience, enhancing security without disrupting workflow. "Everybody has extensions running in their browsers today," he explained, underscoring the ease of integrating SquareX into the current browser ecosystem.

Ramachandran asserted that SquareX's focus extends beyond just technology as it emphasizes user experience, especially for those without technical expertise. He acknowledged the general annoyance with security tools that frequently prompt or block access to files.

"We never block access to files and resources," he stated. “Instead, we allow you to even open those, you know, in the sandboxes, where even if something was bad, nothing can ever go wrong on your computer.”

He explained that this ease of use and accessibility is a cornerstone of SquareX's philosophy as it aims to operate transparently in the background, removing the need for users to understand complex security settings or manage multiple security tools.

“With SquareX, things just happen transparently in the background. And that's why we feel end users, mom and pops, you know, children, all of them, could have SquareX transparently, but very powerfully protecting their online presence and life,” he said.