IPVanish has integrated a cloud-based Secure Browser into its desktop VPN apps for Windows and macOS, marking the company’s first major step into full-spectrum endpoint security.
The feature, now available to Advanced plan subscribers, leverages Remote Browser Isolation (RBI) to shield users from web-based threats by keeping browsing sessions off the local device entirely.
RBI works by keeping all executable web code confined to the cloud; only a visual or sanitized output reaches the end-user. Even sophisticated browser fingerprinting techniques are less effective against this model, as they rely on direct access to browser and hardware characteristics. This method stands in contrast to traditional antivirus and endpoint protection strategies, which react to threats post-execution or rely on heuristic analysis.
The new capability reflects a growing industry trend where VPN providers evolve into multi-layered cybersecurity platforms. The Secure Browser, now embedded directly within IPVanish’s client applications, allows users to launch disposable browsing sessions that run in a remote cloud environment separate from the user’s operating system. Once closed, the session and its contents are fully destroyed, leaving behind no cache, cookies, or browsing history on the device.
The RBI implementation here is not merely a repackaging of incognito mode, but rather it’s based on complete isolation, using either pixel rendering or DOM reconstruction techniques. These technologies process the web page in a cloud container and stream only sanitized or visual content to the user, effectively preventing malware, trackers, zero-day exploits, or malicious scripts from ever executing locally.
IPVanish is a long-standing player in the commercial VPN space, offering fast and secure no-logs (audited) connections. This move signals a pivot toward a broader security-as-a-service model. This year has already seen the launch of additional tools, including a dark web scanner and in-app utilities like QR code and URL checkers. But the Secure Browser is the most technically significant update so far, bringing runtime protection to a traditionally static privacy tool.
According to IPVanish, the feature is initially available to users subscribed to the Advanced plan, who receive 30 hours of secure browsing per month at no extra cost. Sessions are launched directly from the main IPVanish desktop app and display a countdown timer to manage monthly usage. Unlike standalone secure browsers, this integration avoids the need for a separate installation.
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