Browser extensions enhance productivity but pose serious security risks, from unauthorized data access to malware injection. The solution isn’t to stop using extensions in enterprises, but rather to secure them and manage the risk. This article explores how enterprises can conduct audits, assign risk scores, and enforce policies to mitigate threats. We also examine LayerX’s practical role in automating audits, monitoring behavior, and strengthening enterprise security.

What is a Browser Extension Audit and Why is it Essential?

Browsers are a key productivity tool in enterprise environments. They offer features like password management, email tracking, ad blocking, and communication enhancements that streamline workflows. However, the convenience they provide comes with inherent risks:

  • Unauthorized Data Access – Extensions often require broad permissions, such as accessing browser history, keystrokes, or sensitive corporate data. Malicious or poorly designed extensions can exploit these permissions to siphon data without users’ knowledge.
  • Malicious Activities: Some extensions, masquerading as legitimate tools, are designed to inject malware, execute phishing schemes, or serve as gateways for cyberattacks.

Given these extension security risks, a browser extension audit ensures that only secure necessary extensions are used across the organization.

A browser extension audit is the process of systematically reviewing and analyzing the extensions installed in enterprise browser environments. This assessment includes mapping all extensions in use, generating a risk score, and then implementing warning, blocking or disabling policies when a risky extension is detected. By conducting browser extension audits, enterprises can identify malicious browser extensions, conduct enterprise extension remediation, and protect their data and systems without blocking productivity.

Browser Extension Audit Components

An enterprise browser extension audit is a critical security measure to safeguard enterprise environments from potential risks posed by browser extensions. Here’s how it works:

  • Extension Discovery – Automated tools scan the browsers of all work-related devices and identify extensions. This extension inventory management helps achieve complete visibility into all browser extensions installed across the enterprise environment and reduce risk.
  • Risk Scoring – The security solution evaluates the risk levels of each browser extension to prioritize remediation. These are based on attributes like permission scope and version. Risk scores are determined based on severity.

Auditing browser extensions is only the first step in securing an enterprise’s digital environment. Without effective remediation, even the most comprehensive audits fail to address the root causes of vulnerabilities, leaving organizations exposed to significant risks. Browser extension remediation is the process of addressing and mitigating the issues identified during an audit, ensuring that identified threats are neutralized and the organization is better protected against future risks.

Therefore, comprehensive auditing solutions to mitigate enterprise security risks also include the following components:

  • Malicious Extension Removal – Any extensions rated as risky can be immediately removed or blocked. Or, the organization can define a policy that issues a warning to users.
  • Policy Enforcement – Centralized extension policies can be enforced to block, restrict, or allow specific extensions based on their risk profiles and enterprise compliance checks.
  • Behavioral Monitoring – Monitoring of extensions is ongoing. This is done to detect anomalous activities such as unauthorized data transfers or server communication. Even approved extensions can be compromised or new extensions can be installed or sideloaded.

How LayerX Enhances Browser Extension Audits and Remediation

LayerX Security offers an all-in-one, agentless security platform that protects enterprises against the most critical risks and threats of the modern web, including GenAI data leakage, SaaS risk, malicious browser extensions, identity threats, web vulnerabilities, DLP, and more. 

LayerX provides a comprehensive, streamlined approach to browser extension audits and remediation, empowering enterprises to maintain control and security.

The LayerX extension audit includes:

  • Automated Inventory Creation – LayerX provides a clear and up-to-date view of all browser extensions in use across the organization. This eliminates manual tracking and ensures visibility into potential vulnerabilities, rogue extensions, or compliance violations.
  • Advanced Behavioral Monitoring – LayerX detects suspicious activities and anomalies in extension behavior. This includes identifying extensions that attempt unauthorized data access, exhibit excessive permissions usage, or communicate with unverified external sources, providing early warnings of potential threats.
  • Granular Automated Risk Scoring – LayerX assigns detailed risk scores to browser extensions based on factors such as permissions, developers, activity patterns, and known vulnerabilities. By prioritizing high-risk extensions, security teams can focus their remediation efforts where they matter most, ensuring efficient use of resources.
  • Policy Enforcement – Enterprises can define and enforce customized extension policies tailored to their security and compliance requirements or enterprise extension remediation. LayerX enables automated blocking of non-compliant or high-risk extensions, ensuring that only approved tools are accessible within the organization.
  • Seamless Integration – LayerX integrates seamlessly with existing enterprise security infrastructure, including SIEM, SOAR, and IdPs. This interoperability ensures that extension management becomes a natural extension of an organization’s broader security operations, simplifying oversight and enhancing overall protection.

Request a complimentary extension audit from LayerX.