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Swif Safari Extension: Installation & Overview
Swif Safari Extension: Installation & Overview
Updated over a week ago

The Swif Safari Extension delivers the same powerful functionality found in our Chrome, Firefox, and Edge extensions—helping organizations manage web access, enforce IT governance, and ensure team-wide compliance on macOS. With features like custom blocklists/allowlists, Shadow IT detection, and team access reading, the extension provides robust security and productivity tools directly within Safari.


1. System Requirements

  • Safari (latest version) on macOS

  • A valid Swif account for sign-in and administration

  • (Optional) Swif Safari Extension Policy configured for enterprise deployment


2. Key Features

Note: The feature set below mirrors that of our Firefox extension, adapted for Safari on macOS.

  1. Team Access Reading

    • AI Vision & Shadow IT Dashboard: The Safari extension observes web app permission tables and usage patterns, automatically sending data to the Shadow IT dashboard.

    • No Grant/Restrict Option: Focuses on collecting AI-related usage data rather than explicitly allowing or blocking pages.

  2. Prevent Shadow IT Sign-Ups

    • Automated Detection: Flags new registrations to unapproved SaaS or AI services within Safari.

    • Risk Reduction: Minimizes the likelihood of employees introducing unauthorized or risky tools.

  3. Custom Blocklists & Allowlists

    • Organization-Wide Enforcement: Decide which websites and services are allowed or disallowed across your Mac user base.

    • Real-Time Alerts: Receive instant notifications when users attempt to visit newly flagged or blocked domains.

  4. Complete Visibility & Control

    • Track & Display Usage Frequency

      • Monitor how often AI tools are accessed on Safari and visualize the data with counts, charts, or color-coding.

    • Improve Visibility & Insights

      • Make it easy for admins to see the most frequently accessed AI tools and potential usage hotspots.

      • Integrate seamlessly with Swif’s existing Shadow IT dashboard and design system.

    • Support Actionability

      • Flag heavily used AI tools for further investigation or blocking.

      • Drill down into usage data to determine which teams or departments rely on specific tools.

  5. Startup Page by a New Tab

    • Custom Launch Experience: Configure Safari to open a specific new tab page on startup, granting quick access to vital resources.


Not Supported

  1. Reset Device Account Password

    • At this time, the Swif Safari Extension does not support device users to reset device account passwords.


3. Installation Steps

Follow these steps to install and start using the Swif Safari Extension:

  1. Open Safari Preferences

    • Go to Safari > Preferences (or Settings on newer Safari versions).

  2. Navigate to the Extensions Tab

    • Click on the Extensions icon or tab to view available or installed Safari extensions.

  3. Search for or Install the Swif Extension

    • If distributed via the Mac App Store, follow the prompts to download and install the extension.

    • If a custom file is provided, ensure it is trusted before installation.

  4. Enable the Extension

    • In Safari’s Extensions panel, check the box next to Swif to turn it on.

    • Grant any permissions the extension requires for full functionality.

  5. Sign In or Create an Account

    • Click the Swif icon in your Safari toolbar to launch the extension.

    • Sign in with your Swif credentials or create a new account if you’re new to Swif.


4. Safari Extension Policy for macOS

For enterprise-level deployment and management of the Swif Safari Extension, administrators can use Swif’s Safari Extension Policy. This policy enables you to push and enforce the extension on specific devices or user groups, ensuring consistent coverage across your organization.

Field Name

Display Name

Value Type

Description

Example

enableSwifSafariExt

Swif Safari Extension

Boolean

Enable or disable the Swif Safari Extension for users in your managed environment.

true or false

install

Install

Array[String]

A list of extension IDs or package paths to be installed automatically on each device.

["com.swif.extension.safari"]

uninstall

Uninstall

Array[String]

A list of extension IDs to be removed if detected on a managed system.

["com.someother.extension"]

locked

Locked

Array[String]

Prevent users from disabling or uninstalling specified extensions.

["com.swif.extension.safari"]

How to Apply These Policies

  1. Access Your macOS MDM or Policy Management Console

    • Confirm your environment (e.g., Jamf, Workspace ONE, or another MDM solution) supports extension-level policy controls for Safari.

  2. Configure Policy Fields

    • Decide whether to enable enableSwifSafariExt.

    • Provide arrays for install, uninstall, or locked if you want to automatically install or lock the Swif extension.

  3. Push the Policy

    • Deploy these settings to the target devices or user groups.

    • Verify successful installation or locking of the Swif Safari Extension using your MDM’s reporting tools or the Swif dashboard.

Note: The exact policy structure may vary based on your MDM or policy tool. For best results, consult your provider’s documentation or contact Swif Support for guidance.


5. Usage & Configuration

  1. Configure Organizational Settings

    • Administrators can set up blocklists, allowlists, and Shadow IT alerts from the Swif dashboard, which the Safari Extension will enforce or monitor.

  2. Shadow IT Monitoring & Prevention

    • Get real-time alerts whenever employees attempt to register for unauthorized tools, preventing “Shadow IT” from slipping through.

  3. Monitor & Manage

    • Track user activity, flagged domains, or suspicious behavior through your Swif dashboard.

    • Adjust policies as needed to maintain compliance and security.

  4. Reset Password

    • If enabled, employees can self-serve a device account password reset directly within Safari, provided WSS is available.


6. Troubleshooting & Support

  • Verify Permissions
    Check Safari extension settings to ensure the Swif extension has the permissions it needs.

  • Keep Safari Updated
    Updating Safari ensures you have the latest security patches and compatibility for extensions.

  • Policy Validation
    In managed environments, confirm your MDM or policy settings align with your organization’s security policies.

  • Contact Swif Support
    For assistance with deployment, troubleshooting, or advanced configurations, visit Swif Support or use the in-app chat to reach our support team.


7. Conclusion

The Swif Safari Extension gives macOS users the same robust governance, AI usage tracking, and Shadow IT protection available in our other browser extensions. By combining Swif’s Safari Extension Policy with the extension itself, administrators can seamlessly deploy, configure, and manage the extension across devices and user groups—keeping your organization’s web environment secure and compliant.

For further guidance or advanced customization, explore our support center at Swif Support.

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