Dell offers free Web browser security tool

[Cudni]

from
http://www.computerworld.com/s/artic...?taxonomyId=17

Dell, through its Kace unit, is making available free Web browser security software that works by creating a protective "sandbox" on the desktop to isolate the user's desktop from malware or other harmful actions that might be encountered browsing the Web.

[acr1965]

Originally Posted by Cudni

from
http://www.computerworld.com/s/artic...?taxonomyId=17

This looks alright but the main issue is that I do not trust Dell. They track users all over the web and this seems like it may be able to enhance that for them. Then again, maybe not. What makes this set up better than running a browser in Sandboxie or GesWall? I am not trying to start an argument- just wnating to know what makes this better than either of those two options.

thanks

[Cudni]

Originally Posted by acr1965

what makes this better than either of those two options.

Probably nothing. But it is another thing to test/try

[CloneRanger]

Didn't see it said free anywhere ?

Tried to DL it, needed endless amounts of scripting and several iframes to get through various pages. Not good practice When i did, filled in the boxes, but no DL ? No mention of requiring an email conformation link either ?

I see it comes bundled with Adobe reader and Flash. Good thing they will be sandboxed with this

I'd like to test it with malware, if i can get a copy that is

[Victek123]

Originally Posted by CloneRanger

Attachment 220085

Didn't see it said free anywhere ?

I'd like to test it with malware, if i can get a copy that is

.
According an article at Maximumpc.com the browser is free, however I can't find a download link. I went to Kace site and registered, but after clicking the download now button another page with Kace products appeared - very annoying.

[ellison64]

I registered here...
http://www.kace.com/resources/secure-browser

and clicking download open this page...
http://www.kace.com/products/freetoo...r/download.php

with a download link.

Edit...Actually the second link seems to allow you to download without registering?
ellison

[Victek123]

Originally Posted by ellison64

I registered here...
http://www.kace.com/resources/secure-browser

and clicking download open this page...
http://www.kace.com/products/freetoo...r/download.php

with a download link.

Edit...Actually the second link seems to allow you to download without registering?
ellison

.
Thanks for the download link. Does the Kace Secure Browser install to a unique directory? I already have Firefox installed and wouldn't want to mess it up.

Edit: By the way, the stated download size was 10 megs, but actual installer is 75 megs. Anyone else seeing that?

[CloneRanger]

Originally Posted by ellison64

Actually the second link seems to allow you to download without registering?

Thanks for the download link

Originally Posted by Victek123

I already have Firefox installed and wouldn't want to mess it up.

Same here

By the way, the stated download size was 10 megs, but actual installer is 75 megs. Anyone else seeing that?

Yes, wierd ? And i thought 10 megs was big, but 75 megs Maybe it's because it includes the bloated Adobe reader or ?

[CloneRanger]

Installed this a little earlier, or i should say tried to.



Didn't go well at all

Will post my experiences with it, along with numerous screenies later on.

[CloneRanger]

Install attempt of Dell/Kace secure browser.

As promised, here's what happened. Did a System restore as a precaution, then Enabled ShadowDefender.



Almost immediately it wants out !







Why are there 2 options ? If it's supposed to be a SB app install, there shouldn't need to be the other option ? Anyway neither attempts installed ?



Next

[CloneRanger]

During the install phase, as well as msiexec.exe, Explorer.exe tried multiple times to get out I have ZA set up to automatically block such potentially unsafe vectors. I don't think Dell should be using that method for installs I mean why would they "NEED" to ?



Found this in Drivers





Next

[CloneRanger]

Not impressed

[Victek123]

Originally Posted by CloneRanger

Installed this a little earlier, or i should say tried to.

Attachment 220109

Didn't go well at all

Will post my experiences with it, along with numerous screenies later on.

.
By the way there's a forum that supports "Secure Browser". I registered and posted there mentioning the matter of the two buttons during the install. I also posted a link to this thread, so maybe the Kace support people will check it out. I'll post here if I learn anything.

Edit: I installed this in an XP VM without problems. I didn't encounter the two button option either. What OS are you running?

[cheater87]

I saw in the video anything you download is send out of the sandbox. This does not sound safe. What if someone accidentally downloads something that is malicious. OOPS its now on your system. Why not just have it in a lil spot and ask if u want it to be downloaded after downloading/exiting the sandboxed apps like sandboxie does?

[CloneRanger]

Originally Posted by Victek123

I registered and posted there mentioning the matter of the two buttons during the install. I also posted a link to this thread, so maybe the Kace support people will check it out. I'll post here if I learn anything.

Good man Be interesting to hear what they say.

Edit: I installed this in an XP VM without problems. I didn't encounter the two button option either. What OS are you running?

XP/SP2

Originally Posted by cheater87

I saw in the video anything you download is send out of the sandbox. This does not sound safe. What if someone accidentally downloads something that is malicious. OOPS its now on your system. Why not just have it in a lil spot and ask if u want it to be downloaded after downloading/exiting the sandboxed apps like sandboxie does?

If that's the case, then it should be changed ( Maybe as it's called secure browser that's all it is ? Anything going on in the browser is safe, outside, is outside it's modus operandi. They probably tried to keep it simple so most folks won't get confused ?

Having said that, as it's supposed to be free, if people can locate it and then install it it's better than nothing, and should be welcomed. Don't like the bundled Adobe PDF reader though, and HUGE 75Megs file size

[vasa1]

Then is there any real advantage over running the standard Firefox in Sandboxie?

[Ocky]

Originally Posted by CloneRanger

I see it comes bundled with Adobe reader and Flash. Good thing they will be sandboxed with this

Adobe reader will be sandboxed with upcoming release. Interesting to note that it's only for Windows. Reason being that Unix's are far less susceptible to the vulnerabilities that Windows users face.

http://news.cnet.com/8301-27080_3-20011015-245.html

Adobe is adding a "Protected Mode" to the next release of Adobe Reader for Windows due out some time this year, said Brad Arkin, director of product security and privacy at Adobe. The feature will be enabled by default and included in Adobe Reader browser plug-ins for all the major browsers.

The company has no plans to add the feature to the version of its PDF (Portable Document Format) viewer for the Macintosh at this time because the vast majority of Adobe Reader downloads and exploits are on Windows, a spokeswoman said.

EDIT: I see ronjor has already mentioned this as well .. http://www.wilderssecurity.com/showthread.php?t=277602

[betacheck]

My install does not activate the Secure Browser button at all. You can see that I have scrolled to the bottom of the license agreement and checked the accept license check box. Still "Secure Browser" button is greyed out. I am allowed to install only FireFox.

What did you have to do to get the Secure Browser button on? I registered on their site as a new user. At the end of the registration I got a successful message. But it looks like their registration is not working as well. User lookup fails when I atttempt to recover password.

Oh well, their installer is not ready for primetime yet.

[betacheck]

Correction:
Depending on which push button I click, the license agreement is toggled in the text box. But it installs only FireFox. If I run the installer second time, I get to choose either "Remove" or "Repair". But Repair does not provide the option to install the secure browser. It merely reinstalls the FireFox package.

[Victek123]

Originally Posted by betacheck

Correction:
Depending on which push button I click, the license agreement is toggled in the text box. But it installs only FireFox. If I run the installer second time, I get to choose either "Remove" or "Repair". But Repair does not provide the option to install the secure browser. It merely reinstalls the FireFox package.

.
Here is a reply to the message I posted on the Kace Secure Browser forum:

"We will actually be taking this out, the buttons for the Secure Browser and Firefox are to switch between the two end user license agreements. There is just a single Windows Installer installation and this is just so you can see both EULAs to which you are agreeing. As it turns out, the license for Firefox is now presented after installation and need not be part of the installer as is typically the case. Our next release of the Secure Browser will remove this."

[CloneRanger]

Originally Posted by vasa1

Then is there any real advantage over running the standard Firefox in Sandboxie?

Probably not, and especially if it doesn't work !

Originally Posted by Ocky

Adobe reader will be sandboxed with upcoming release.

Not before time

Interesting to note that it's only for Windows.

I wouldn't expect otherwise !

Originally Posted by betacheck

What did you have to do to get the Secure Browser button on?

Just reinstalled.

I registered on their site as a new user. At the end of the registration I got a successful message. But it looks like their registration is not working as well. User lookup fails when I atttempt to recover password.

Oh well, their installer is not ready for primetime yet.

Niether is their product, from what i see

@Victek123

Thanks for the communication

[bo elam]

Does anybody knows if its overwriting existing Firefox installations or making
a mess of it.

Bo

[ellison64]

It made a mess of mine after uninstalling it.I reverted back to an image.
ellison

[bo elam]

Originally Posted by ellison64

It made a mess of mine after uninstalling it.I reverted back to an image.
ellison

Thanks Ellison, I guess we ll have to wait to try this one out.

Bo

[andyman35]

Originally Posted by vasa1

Then is there any real advantage over running the standard Firefox in Sandboxie?

Since Sandboxie is technology that's well-proven,light and very secure I can see no advantage whatsoever to use this bloated application.