In recent years, cyberattacks have evolved at an alarming pace. While email used to be the most common entry point for cybercriminals, today’s favorite attack surface is your web browser. That’s no coincidence—your browser is where you access your business apps, finances, social media, communications, and much of your professional life.
At TecnetOne, we want to help you understand what browser-based attacks are, which six are the most dangerous right now, and how you and your organization can stay protected.
What Is a Browser-Based Attack?
When we talk about "browser-based attacks," the goal isn't to damage your browser itself. The real objective is much more ambitious: to steal data, credentials, and active sessions from the business apps you use daily.
Think about your accounts on Salesforce, Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, or any other critical tool. If an attacker gains access, they could download sensitive information, hijack sessions, and extort your company. And they do it by targeting you, the user—because you’re the most exposed and vulnerable link in the chain.
Browser-based attacks like AITM phishing, ClickFix, and consent phishing have seen an unprecedented rise in recent years. (Source: The Hacker News)
Credential and Session Phishing
Phishing has evolved far beyond suspicious emails. Modern phishing kits can:
- Bypass multi-factor authentication (MFA)
- Imitate real login pages with pixel-perfect accuracy
- Use legitimate cloud services to host fake pages
And these attacks aren’t limited to email. You might receive phishing links via WhatsApp, SMS, LinkedIn, malicious ads, or SaaS app notifications. All roads lead to your browser—where attackers trick you into giving away your credentials or session tokens.
Phishing is now multi- and cross-channel, targeting a vast range of cloud and SaaS apps using flexible AitM toolkits — but all roads inevitably lead to the browser. (Source: The Hacker News)
Copy-Paste Attacks (ClickFix, FileFix, etc.)
A growing and dangerous trend is ClickFix-style attacks. These convince users they’re solving a CAPTCHA or validating access, but in reality, you’re copying and pasting malicious code into a terminal or Windows “Run” dialog.
This simple action can install infostealers that harvest cookies, saved passwords, and sensitive data from your business tools. Other variants like FileFix exploit your file explorer's address bar—yes, even on macOS.
Also of interest: Vulnerability in Safari: Risk of Browser-in-the-Middle Attacks
Malicious OAuth Integrations (Consent Phishing)
Have you ever clicked “Allow” to link a third-party app with your Google or Microsoft account? That’s OAuth—and attackers are now using it for consent phishing.
They build fake but useful-looking apps and trick you into granting legitimate access to your email, calendar, or files—no credentials needed. You authorize the threat yourself.
Malvertising and Malicious Ads
Online advertising is another attack vector. Cybercriminals buy ad space and inject seemingly harmless banners. When clicked, these redirect to malware download pages.
Known as malvertising, these attacks affect both individuals and businesses. Since the ads run on legitimate sites, users are less suspicious. A single careless click in your browser can compromise your system.
Examples of ClickFix lures used by attackers in the wild. (Source: The Hacker News)
Man-in-the-Browser (MitB) Attacks
These are more advanced. Malware installs silently and alters what you see in your browser.
For example, you may log into your online bank and everything looks fine—but in the background, the malware is changing transaction amounts or stealing two-factor codes in real time.
These attacks fool both users and bank security systems.
Exploiting Browser Extensions
Do you use extensions to manage passwords, block ads, or edit PDFs? Some are helpful—but others are Trojan horses disguised as productivity tools.
With the permissions you grant, a malicious extension can read keystrokes, steal session cookies, monitor your browsing, or inject malicious code into websites. Even legitimate extensions can be sold to malicious actors and weaponized later.
Read more: Top 10 Browsers for Accessing the Dark Web with Anonymity
Why Are These Attacks Increasing?
The answer is simple: everything happens in the browser now. Remote work, cloud applications, and decentralized infrastructure mean attackers no longer need to break into complex servers. They just have to fool you inside your browser.
And with the growing ecosystem of apps and tools, security teams have more to watch and less time to react.
Consent phishing examples, where an attacker tricks the victim into authorizing an attacker-controlled app with risky permissions. (Source: The Hacker News)
How to Protect Yourself and Your Business
At TecnetOne, we know this may sound overwhelming—but there are concrete steps you can take:
- Strong Authentication: Use MFA with apps or hardware keys—not SMS.
- Real-Time Monitoring: EDR/XDR tools help detect abnormal browser activity.
- OAuth Hygiene: Regularly audit third-party apps connected to your accounts.
- User Awareness: Train your team to spot suspicious links, emails, and ads.
- Secure Browser Policies: Limit extension use and keep browsers updated.
- Cybersecurity Partners: Work with experts like TecnetOne to implement prevention, detection, and rapid response strategies.
The ongoing Salesforce attacks involve malicious OAuth apps being granted access to the victim's Salesforce tenant. (Source: The Hacker News)
Final Thought: Your Browser Is the New Security Frontier
Your browser is now your office, vault, and gateway to the digital world—and cybercriminals know it. They're crafting their attacks to exploit any slip-up.
At TecnetOne, we want to be clear: cybersecurity isn’t just about antivirus software. It’s about understanding attacker behavior and sealing off every potential entry point before they’re used against you.
These six attacks are real—and already happening. Whether you fall victim or stay protected depends on what you do today.
