Overview
Swif Browser Security brings Swif's browser protection to Google Chrome. It helps you see which SaaS apps and AI services your users visit, block the ones you don't allow, and catch unapproved sign-ups.
Swif Browser Security was previously called the Swif Chrome Extension, or Swif Shadow IT Discovery.
Features
Feature | What it does |
Shadow IT and SaaS discovery | Reports visits to SaaS apps and AI tools to your Shadow IT dashboard, with how often each is used. Learn more |
Prevent Shadow IT sign-ups | Flags new sign-ups to unapproved SaaS and AI services. Learn more |
Blocklists and allowlists | Blocks sites you don't allow across your organization, and alerts you when users try to reach them. Learn more |
Team access reading | Reads web app permission tables, and sends them to your Shadow IT dashboard |
Password reset | Lets users reset their device account password from the extension's panel. Needs the Swif agent on the device. |
Startup page | Opens a page you choose when Chrome starts |
Install Swif Browser Security
For your whole organization (recommended)
Deploy Swif Browser Security to every device with a Swif policy, or with Google Workspace. See Deploy Swif Browser Security & Agentic Security Organization-Wide.
See below for Chrome extension policies.
On one device
Use this to test Swif Browser Security, or to install it on a single device:
In Chrome, go to the Swif Browser Security download page.
Open the extension's page in the Chrome Web Store, and click Add to Chrome.
When asked, click Add extension.
Look for the Swif Browser Security icon in Chrome's toolbar. If you don't see it, click the puzzle piece icon, and pin it.
Get started
Sign in. Click the Swif Browser Security icon in Chrome's toolbar, and sign in with your Swif account, or create one.
Set up your rules. In Swif, create blocklists and allowlists, and set up Shadow IT alerts.
Review activity. Check your Shadow IT dashboard for site visits, sign-ups, and new Shadow IT risks.
Chrome extension policies
Swif has a Chrome extension policy for each platform:
Their main settings:
Setting | Type | What it does | Default |
Swif Extension | On/off | Installs and turns on Swif Browser Security on the assigned devices | Off |
Install Extension ID List | List of extension IDs | Extensions to install automatically. Users can't turn them off or remove them. Removing an extension from this list uninstalls it. | Empty |
Blocked Extension ID List | List of extension IDs | Extensions users can't install. Installed extensions on this list are turned off. | Empty |
The Apple policy has more settings, such as an allowlist, and filtering extensions by type. See each policy's article for its full list of settings.
Enter extension IDs, not names or store links. A Chrome extension ID is a 32-letter string. To find one, open chrome://extensions, turn on Developer mode, and copy the ID.
Apply a policy
In Swif, go to Device Management > Policies, then select Create new policy > Configure a Policy.
Select the Google Chrome Extension Deployment and Blocking Policy for your platform.
Turn on Swif Extension, and fill in Install Extension ID List and Blocked Extension ID List as needed.
Save the policy, and assign it to your devices.
On a test device, open
chrome://policy, click Reload policies, and check that the policy applied. Then checkchrome://extensions.
Incognito windows
Policies can't turn on extensions in Incognito windows. Chrome doesn't allow it. By default, Swif Browser Security runs only in regular windows. To use it in Incognito, the user must open chrome://extensions, select Details for Swif Browser Security, and turn on Allow in Incognito.
Tips
Pin the extension, so it's always one click away.
Set up blocklists and allowlists early, so your rules apply from the start.
Review activity regularly on your Shadow IT dashboard.
Tell your team why some sites and tools are blocked, to build security awareness.
Troubleshooting
The extension doesn't work as expected
Check that it has the permissions it needs. Go to chrome://extensions, find Swif Browser Security, and check its details.
The extension stops working after a Chrome update
Update Chrome to the latest version.
The extension wasn't installed by the policy
Check that the policy is assigned to the device, with Swif Extension on.
Open
chrome://policyon the device, and click Reload policies.Restart Chrome. The extension may need a restart to activate.
The extension doesn't work in Incognito windows
This is expected. Ask the user to turn on Allow in Incognito for Swif Browser Security in chrome://extensions.
I need more help
Contact support@swif.ai, or use the in-app chat.