Browser Sandbox Isolation for Untrusted Network Traffic
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Solution Overview
Problem
Malware infections in host computer systems pose security risks, efficiency reductions, and loss of command and control, compromising user privacy and allowing unauthorized access to networks.
Innovation Solution
An internet isolation system implemented using a browser application with sandbox-based memory segregation, internal isolation firewalls, and authentication mechanisms to separate trusted and untrusted network communications, preventing unauthorized data transfers and restricting malware access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the host computer system allows communication with untrusted network destinations, then network accessibility and functionality are improved, but security risks and malware infection probability increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments network destinations into trusted and untrusted categories, and segments browser processes into trusted and sandboxed environments. This segmentation allows the system to maintain network accessibility while isolating security risks to specific segments (sandboxed processes), preventing malware from affecting the entire system.
Solution Approach 2:
The sandboxed browser process acts as an intermediary between untrusted network destinations and the trusted host system. This intermediary layer enables communication with untrusted destinations while filtering and controlling what can reach the trusted environment, thus maintaining accessibility while blocking harmful factors.
2Reliability
If the host computer system blocks communication with untrusted network destinations, then security is improved, but network functionality and accessibility deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the isolation level based on the trust status of the network destination. Trusted destinations allow full communication, while untrusted destinations trigger sandboxed execution. This dynamic approach ensures security for untrusted connections while maintaining full functionality for trusted connections.
3Reliability
If the system implements sandbox-based isolation for all network communications, then security is improved, but system complexity and processing overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies different quality levels of isolation to different network communications based on their trust status. Trusted communications receive standard processing, while only untrusted communications are routed through sandboxed processes. This local quality approach provides enhanced security where needed without adding complexity to all system operations.
4Reliability
If the system uses multiple browser processes for trusted and untrusted destinations, then security isolation is improved, but processor demand and resource usage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sandboxed browser process is designed to handle multiple untrusted network destinations universally, rather than creating a separate process for each destination. This multi-functionality approach maintains security isolation while reducing processor demand by reusing the same sandboxed environment for multiple untrusted connections.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems are disclosed for an internet isolation system implemented using a browser application. The host computer system may be configured to receive a request to communicate with a first network destination. The host computer system may determine whether the first network destination is trusted or untrusted. The host computer system may instantiate a browser application. The browser application may be configured to, on a condition that the first network destination is determined to be trusted, enable communication with the first network destination via a first browser process executed in a workspace of the host computer system. The browser application may be configured to, on a condition that the first network destination is determined to be untrusted, implement an isolated computing environment using an internal isolation firewall and enable communication with the first destination via a second browser process executed in the isolated computing environment.