"I installed my favorite browser , IT doesn’t need to control it."
COMPANY
Sector: Financial Services
Size: 300 employees
Location: Wallonia
FACTS & FIGURES
20% of employees using unapproved browsers
No centralized policy enforcement
Business Impact: Increased phishing and data leakage
STORY
At a financial services company in Liège, several employees became frustrated with the restrictions imposed on the company-approved browser. They began downloading and installing alternative browsers like Opera and Chrome Canary, often with built-in VPNs. Because these browsers were unmanaged, they bypassed security configurations such as content filters and phishing protection. One employee unknowingly entered client data into a fraudulent website that appeared legitimate. The incident led to sensitive data being leaked, forcing the company to launch an internal investigation and notify affected clients.
INCIDENT OVERVIEW
Browsers are the gateway to most business applications, but when unmanaged, they turn into blind spots. Features like built-in VPNs, crypto wallets, or extensions bypass corporate policies and introduce hidden risks. IT loses visibility, logs, and the ability to enforce protections. In this case, employees assumed they were simply choosing a 'faster' or 'better' browser, but in doing so, they disabled the company’s ability to safeguard data. The uncontrolled use of browsers is not just a matter of preference — it becomes a compliance and security gap.
BUSINESS IMPACT
Increased phishing success rates
GDPR non-compliance due to unmonitored transfers
Reputational loss if client financial data leaked
SECURITY MEASURES
Enforce browser management policies (Intune/Jamf)
Block installation of unauthorized browsers
Provide secure, modern approved browsers
Monitor outbound traffic anomalies