Remote Browser Isolation (RBI) vs Virtual Private Networks (VPNs)

The main differences between Remote Browser Isolation (RBI) and Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) are the type of user activity they secure and the way in which they secure it. While RBI protects users against web based threats by providing privacy and security through isolating browsing activity from the user’s device and network, VPNs encrypt data and mask the user’s IP address for all internet traffic.

This article will examine these differences in more detail.

What is remote browser isolation?

RBI is a cybersecurity technology designed to protect users from web-based threats by hosting and running all browsing activity in a remote cloud-based container. This isolates users’ web browsing activities from their local devices and networks.

Traditional web security measures – such as antivirus software, firewalls and web filters – are designed to detect and block threats. However, these measures can sometimes fail to catch sophisticated threats or zero-day attacks. Conversely, RBI takes a proactive approach by isolating all web content, effectively neutralizing threats before they can reach the user’s device.

A good real-world metaphor for RBI is a zoo. Zoo visitors can observe dangerous animals, such as lions and gorillas, without danger of attack because the animals are isolated in secure enclosures. Likewise, we can think of RBI as putting web content into an “enclosure” so that users can access it without the danger of a cyber attack.

What are virtual private networks?

A VPN creates a secure, encrypted connection over a less secure network, such as the internet. This secure connection, often referred to as a “tunnel,” allows users to transmit data privately and securely.

By masking the user’s real IP address and encrypting their data, VPNs help protect users’ online privacy and anonymity. Additionally, in a business environment, VPNs enable secure remote access to corporate networks. Employees working remotely can connect to their employer’s internal network using a VPN, ensuring that sensitive business data is transmitted securely.

The key differences between RBI and VPNs

Here are some of the key differences between RBI and VPNs.

RBI is easier to set up and maintain than VPNs

In general, RBI is easier to set up and maintain than VPNs, especially cloud-based RBI solutions. It requires minimal user configuration and offers automatic updates and patching. 

VPNs require more setup and ongoing maintenance, including client and server configuration, regular updates and more extensive monitoring and management.

RBI offers user access controls; VPNs do not

Although VPNs ensure that end users can access organizational systems securely, they don’t allow IT admins and security personnel to control which sites users may access. RBI solutions typically enable organizations to block known malicious or non-work-related websites.

RBI and VPNs function differently

RBI and VPNs have different use cases, and for this reason, many organizations use them in tandem. RBI protects against web-based threats by isolating users’ browsing activity, essentially running it in a sandbox that is wholly separate from the user’s device and network. This makes RBI ideal for securing web browsing sessions, preventing malware and protecting against phishing attacks.

VPNs ensure privacy and security for internet traffic by encrypting user data and masking user IP addresses. Therefore, VPNs are ideal for protecting data from being intercepted or accessed by unauthorized parties.

RBI ensures zero-trust network access; VPNs don’t

RBI aligns with zero-trust network access because it assumes that no web content can be inherently trusted. RBI treats every web session as potentially dangerous and isolates it accordingly. This ensures that web-based threats, such as ransomware, never reach the user’s device or the organization’s network.

While VPNs provide data encryption and user privacy, they don’t support zero-trust network access. By their nature, VPNs implicitly trust any device or user that successfully connects to the VPN, and once connected, these users may have broad access to internal resources.

RBI can protect users from malware, unlike VPNs

VPNs do not protect users against malware. If a user on a VPN connection clicks on a malicious URL or file, the VPN won’t stop them from visiting the malicious site or downloading the file.

RBI, on the other hand, executes web browsing sessions in a remote, secure environment by rendering web content remotely and then displaying it to the user. Thus, the user interacts with a visual stream or a mirrored version of the web content, ensuring that any malicious content cannot reach or directly impact their device or their network.

RBI can protect against browser vulnerabilities, unlike VPNs

RBI protects against browser vulnerabilities, including zero-day vulnerabilities, by executing all web content in a remote, isolated environment – effectively neutralizing threats before they can reach the user’s device. By safely rendering content, avoiding direct execution of potentially malicious code and incorporating advanced filtering and real-time threat detection, RBI provides robust protection against web-based attacks and browser exploits.

RBI is highly scalable, while VPNs are not

Cloud-based RBI solutions can scale easily as the user base grows, without requiring significant additional resources from the organization. Scaling a VPN solution is typically far more complex and may require additional hardware or cloud resources as the number of users increases.

RBI typically provides a better end-user experience

Once RBI is set up, users interact with web content as usual, with the isolation process being transparent. There might be some latency, but this can be minimized with good implementation practices. Users need minimal training, mainly to understand the purpose of RBI and any slight differences in browsing experience.

VPNs require more from the end user. Users need to connect to the VPN, which typically requires entering credentials and a Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) code and/or selecting a server. Users may need training on how to connect to the VPN, troubleshoot common issues and understand the importance of using the VPN for secure access. VPNs are notorious for latency issues, even when they are implemented properly.

Protect your organization against cyber threats

RBI protects against browser vulnerabilities by executing all web content in a remote, isolated environment, effectively neutralizing threats before they can reach the user’s device. By safely rendering content, avoiding direct execution of potentially malicious code and incorporating advanced filtering and real-time threat detection, RBI provides robust protection against web-based attacks and browser exploits.

Implement RBI the fast and easy way with Keeper Connection Manager. RBI is available through Keeper Connection Manager, for secure, VPN-less access to internal web-based applications, cloud Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) applications and any other website with full, end-to-end encryption.
Your users simply log in to Keeper Connection Manager and launch into the target site with one click. The website is rendered within a virtualized, up-to-date Chromium browser and projected through the user’s local browser at lightning-fast speed. Auditing and monitoring features such as session recording and keystroke logging allow IT admins and security personnel to closely monitor privileged sessions. Try Keeper’s Remote Browser Isolation free for 14 days.