Browsers have become prime targets for cyberattacks, creating a significant security gap for enterprises. Conventional security solutions lack visibility into browser threats, while proprietary enterprise browsers often impede user productivity and adoption. As the industry’s first Browser Detection and Response (BDR) solution, SquareX transforms any browser into a secure, enterprise-grade option. It offers the same functionality as specialised enterprise browsers, plus additional features, without the burdensome change management typically required.
Today, SquareX, the pioneer in Browser Detection and Response (BDR), announced it is closing $20 million in Series A funding led by SYN Ventures, a leading venture capital firm focused on cybersecurity investments, with participation from existing investor Peak XV Partners (formerly Sequoia Capital SEA).
Addressing the growing risk of browser-based cyber threats
SquareX was founded in Singapore in March 2023 by Vivek Ramachandran to address the ever-increasing risk of browser-based cyber threats. Web browsers have become the primary interface for most online activities, including email, banking, shopping, and more.
Traditional cybersecurity solutions were designed to address older threats, such as file viruses and network worms, and often disrupt productivity by blocking access to files and resources. This leads users to disable them, becoming more vulnerable. Ramachandran recognised the need for a new approach that would protect users without hindering their workflow.
“The browser is the new endpoint, yet it remains a major blind spot for most organisations. Existing solutions often force a trade-off between security and usability,” said Vivek Ramachandran, CEO of SquareX. “We built SquareX to eliminate this compromise in browser security, offering robust protection that works with the browsers users are already familiar with. This Series A funding, led by the team at SYN Ventures, validates our vision of everyone being able to be online without fear.”
SquareX’s mission is to empower users to be fearless online by delivering a productivity-first, browser-native security solution. The company aims to provide comprehensive protection against modern web-based threats, such as phishing, identity theft, and session hijacking, without compromising user productivity. Its innovative approach utilises disposable, cloud-powered browser sandboxes, ensuring that threats never reach users’ devices.
How does SquareX work?
SquareX works by isolating and neutralising web threats in real time using disposable cloud-based browsers and file viewers, delivered as a simple browser extension. Its main competitors are Island, Seraphic, Red Access, Menlo Security, Cisco Umbrella, Citrix Secure Browser, Zscaler, and Authentic8 Silo, all of which offer browser isolation or secure enterprise browsing, but often with a heavier enterprise focus or more complex deployment. SquareX’s key differentiators are its ease of use, consumer/SMB orientation, and seamless integration with existing.
SquareX is a browser security solution designed to protect users from modern web-based threats like phishing, malware, identity theft, and session hijacking. It is deployed as a browser extension compatible with major browsers, including Chrome, Edge, Firefox, and Safari. This means users don’t need to switch browsers or install complex software—protection is added seamlessly to their existing browsing experience.
When a user clicks on a suspicious link or opens a potentially dangerous file, SquareX automatically opens it in a secure, disposable cloud sandbox—essentially a remote, temporary browser session hosted in the cloud. Any malicious code, ransomware, or exploit executes only within this isolated environment, never reaching the user’s device.
SquareX also provides “burner” browsers and file viewers. After use, all history, cookies, and session data are erased, ensuring privacy and eliminating persistent threats. SquareX monitors web page changes, user interactions (like copy-paste), and web traffic in real time using rules-based analysis, heuristics, and machine learning. This enables detection and blocking of threats as they occur and allows organisations to set fine-grained policies for web access and data handling.
Unlike many security tools that block access or disrupt workflows, SquareX is designed to be unobtrusive. Users can open suspicious files or sites without fear, as everything risky is handled in the cloud sandbox. The extension works transparently in the background, requiring minimal user intervention. SquareX also offers disposable email addresses for secure signups, anonymous browsing, and automatic integration with downloaded documents for safe viewing.
Jay Leek, Managing Partner & Founder of SYN Ventures, commented, “SquareX is tackling one of the most significant and underserved areas in cybersecurity today. The browser is ground zero for countless attacks, and the team at SquareX has developed an elegant and powerful solution that provides critical visibility and control where it’s needed most—directly within the native browser experience.”
