Definition

Remote Browser Isolation (RBI) executes web content in disposable containers running in the cloud and streams a sanitized visual representation (pixels, DOM updates) to the user's endpoint. The user interacts normally - clicking, scrolling, typing - but no web code executes on their device. RBI defeats drive-by malware, browser exploits, phishing landing pages, and unknown zero-day exploits in browsers. Symantec's product is Symantec Web Isolation, integrated with Cloud SWG so risky web categories (uncategorized sites, new domains, suspicious downloads) are routed through isolation while trusted categories go direct. Pairs with Email Security for Email Threat Isolation - link rewrites in inbound email route through the isolation cloud at click time, defeating phishing where URLs are clean at delivery but weaponized later.

Symantec products that implement this

  • Symantec Cloud Secure Web Gateway - Cloud-delivered web security with SSL inspection, URL filtering, sandboxing, content disarm, and CASB integration. The cloud successor to the ProxySG appliance.

Related terms

  • SWG (Secure Web Gateway) - Security service that inspects web traffic for malware, enforces URL policy, and applies content controls - historically on-prem, now cloud-delivered.
  • CDR (Content Disarm and Reconstruction) - Threat prevention technique that strips active content from files (macros, scripts, exploits) and rebuilds them as safe versions.
  • Phishing - Social-engineering attacks that trick users into revealing credentials, clicking malicious links, or downloading malware.

Deep-dives on RBI