- 70% of malware now targets your browser
Whilst organisations have been strengthening their email defences with solutions like Check Point Harmony, cyber criminals have been quietly exploiting another attack vector that many security strategies overlook: web browsers.
New research from eSentire reveals a staggering reality: browser-based attacks now account for 70% of all malware cases. This isn’t a minor threat, it represents the majority of current cyber attacks, yet many organisations remain vulnerable due to inadequate browser security.
Multiple attack vectors require multiple defences
The data reveals that modern cyber threats are multi-faceted. Whilst email remains a critical attack vector requiring robust protection like Check Point Harmony Email and Collaboration, attackers are simultaneously exploiting browsers to maximise their success rates.
This multi-vector approach means that even organisations with excellent email security can be compromised through their web browsing activities. eSentire’s research shows that valid credentials dominated as the primary initial access vector, accounting for 48.6% of successful attacks, highlighting the need for comprehensive identity threat detection and response capabilities like Huntress ITDR and SIEM.
The four pillars of browser-based attacks
According to the eSentire report, browser-based delivery encompasses four primary methods that are actively targeting organisations:
1. Malicious advertisements (Malvertising) Compromised ads on legitimate websites that deliver malware when clicked. These can appear on trusted sites your employees visit daily, making them particularly dangerous.
2. Search engine optimisation (SEO) poisoning Manipulated search results that lead users to malicious sites. The Legal industry was particularly hard hit, with attackers poisoning search results for document templates like contracts and legal agreements.
3. Fake browser updates Fraudulent notifications prompting users to download malicious “updates.” These often appear convincing and catch even security-aware users off guard.
4. Drive-by downloads Malware that downloads automatically when visiting compromised websites, requiring no user interaction beyond visiting the site.
The emerging threat: ClickFix method
Perhaps most concerning is the emergence of a sophisticated new attack method called “ClickFix”. This technique emerged in Q2 2024 and accelerated significantly by Q4.
ClickFix attacks manipulate victims into running malicious commands (typically PowerShell) through copy-paste prompts that masquerade as CAPTCHA challenges. Users believe they’re solving a simple verification puzzle, but they’re actually executing malicious code on their systems.
Industry-specific vulnerabilities
The research reveals that certain sectors face heightened risks:
- Education: Teachers searching for lesson templates face exposure to malware via search advertisements and SEO poisoning
- Legal: Law firms searching for document templates encounter GootLoader malware through poisoned search results
These industry-specific attacks demonstrate how cyber criminals tailor their browser-based tactics to exploit the daily workflows of different sectors.
Email AND browser threats
The critical insight isn’t that one threat vector is replacing another, it’s that attackers are using multiple vectors simultaneously. Organisations need comprehensive protection that addresses:
- Email security through advanced solutions like Check Point Harmony Email and Collaboration
- Identity protection through proactive monitoring and response capabilities like Huntress ITDR and SIEM
- Browser security through secure browsing and DNS-level protection
Closing the security gap
With 70% of malware delivered through browsers, organisations face a critical security gap. Traditional antivirus and email-only security won’t protect against:
- Malicious websites accessed through legitimate search results
- Drive-by downloads from compromised sites
- Sophisticated social engineering like ClickFix attacks
- DNS-based command and control communications
The solution requires layered protection addressing all attack vectors:
Email security: Check Point Harmony Email and Collaboration provides advanced protection against sophisticated email-based threats, including business email compromise and credential harvesting attempts.
Identity protection: Huntress ITDR and SIEM services provide the visibility and rapid response capabilities needed to detect when credentials are compromised and stop attackers before they can escalate their attacks.
Browser security: Conceal Browse provides browser isolation and real-time threat detection, protecting against malicious websites and sophisticated social engineering attacks.
DNS protection: Heimdal DNS protection blocks access to malicious domains before connections are established, preventing malware communication and blocking access to compromised sites.
Comprehensive threats require comprehensive protection
Cyber criminals don’t limit themselves to single attack vectors, they exploit every available pathway. With email attacks remaining persistent whilst browser-based attacks surge to 70% of malware cases, organisations need security strategies that match this multi-vector reality.
The question isn’t whether your organisation will face email threats OR browser threats, it’s whether you’re prepared for both.
Ready to address the full spectrum of cyber threats? Contact us to learn how Check Point Harmony, Huntress ITDR, Conceal Browse, and Heimdal DNS protection can provide comprehensive defence against modern multi-vector attacks.
