4 October 2025

Are Browser-Based AI Agents a Bigger Security Risk Than Humans? Insights from SquareX’s Latest Research

As artificial intelligence becomes more integrated into everyday digital applications, browser-based AI agents are rapidly gaining popularity. From virtual assistants to intelligent form fillers, these agents promise streamlined browsing and improved user experiences. However, with their growing ubiquity, concerns around cybersecurity have escalated. A recent report from SquareX, a cybersecurity firm specializing in browser-based threat detection, sheds new light on this evolving dynamic. The core question it raises: Are browser-based AI agents a bigger security risk than humans?

Understanding Browser-Based AI Agents

Browser-based AI agents are programs embedded within or connected to web browsers that use machine learning to perform tasks once handled by users. These tasks include:

• Automatically filling out online forms
• Assisting with research by summarizing web pages
• Monitoring user behavior for contextual assistance
• Managing passwords and logins

While convenient, these agents inherently pose a risk by engaging with sensitive data—often without much user oversight. And unlike humans, they operate at a scale and speed that makes security vulnerabilities exponentially more dangerous if exploited.

Key Findings from SquareX’s Research

SquareX’s report analyzed over 1,000 browser-based AI agents across multiple platforms, including Chrome extensions and embedded script-powered services. Four main revelations emerged from this analysis:

1. Inadequate Encryption: A significant number of AI agents did not use proper encryption when transmitting user data. This opens up vulnerabilities in man-in-the-middle attacks.
2. Excessive Permissions: Many AI browser extensions required more permissions than necessary—some with access to all browser tabs, clipboard data, and local files.
3. Persistent Cloud Connections: AI agents often maintained an always-on cloud sync pipeline, which SquareX identified as a potential vector for remote code execution attacks in runtime.
4. Weak Regulatory Guidelines: There is still a lack of clearly defined standards for developers integrating AI functionality in browsers, allowing unsecured implementations to slip through.

Users vs. AI Agents: Behavioral Comparison

The crux of the debate lies in comparing human behavior to AI agent activity. While human users may occasionally click on phishing links or reuse passwords, they do not act with the relentless efficiency—or potential unpredictability—of an AI. SquareX conducted a controlled environment test simulating sensitive scenarios:

• Accessing financial data via an online banking portal
• Filling out tax return forms online
• Browsing unknown links with potentially malicious content

In these cases, human users, while prone to err occasionally, usually exercised caution after visual or textual warnings. AI agents, however, bypassed many of these barriers, either due to lack of contextual understanding or overconfidence in their programmed directives.

Exploitation Potential and Real-World Incidents

As AI agents become more integrated, cybercriminals are identifying them as weak links in the digital chain. One such case documented in the report involved an AI plugin that automatically parsed webpage content and saved it to the cloud for “future summarization.” Unfortunately, this plugin also grabbed session keys and sensitive user tokens—exposing them to potential misuse.

Another worrying trend is the weaponization of AI automation in phishing schemes. Because AI agents interact with HTML elements much faster than humans, malicious actors now design sites to trick these bots specifically—embedding deceptive elements invisible to human users but parsed by AI.

Advantages and the Risk-Reliance Paradox

There’s no question that the usefulness of AI agents is significant. They reduce cognitive load, shorten repetitive tasks, and support users with lower tech literacy. However, this convenience comes with a trade-off. The over-reliance on AI could, paradoxically, reduce human vigilance—ensuring that when attacks do occur, the damage spreads unchecked.

According to SquareX, organizations deploying browser-based AI need to start evaluating their software as they would human employees—through the lens of trust, role-specific permissions, and regular audits. Cybersecurity strategies should include:

• Zero-trust policies for AI tools with access to sensitive information
• Endpoint surveillance to monitor agent interactions live
• ISO or NIST-aligned standards for browser AI deployment

Recommendations for Developers and Users

SquareX outlines the following best practices to mitigate AI-related browser vulnerabilities:

For Developers:

• Always implement SSL/TLS for all communication initiated by the AI
• Request only essential permissions during installation
• Incorporate user confirmation steps before proceeding with sensitive actions
• Blob and sanitize external scripts to reduce injection risk

For Users:

• Regularly audit browser extensions and AI-enabled tools
• Use containerized browsers for sensitive online tasks
• Avoid granting “Always Allow” permissions without scrutiny
• Enable alerts for automatic cloud data synchronization

Looking Ahead: A More Secure Browser Ecosystem

Industry experts agree that future regulations will likely bring AI-specific data protection laws for browser-based tools. Privacy by design, encryption standards, and behavior analytics integrations could become common expectations. SquareX is already collaborating with major browser platforms to develop standardized AI security APIs to address the unique risks introduced by these agents.

Ultimately, the aim is to create a balanced digital environment where AI assists without compromising safety. Clockwork automation should not mean clockwork threats—and this begins with informed development and vigilance.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Are browser-based AI agents always dangerous?

Not necessarily. While they present new attack surfaces, properly coded and audited AI agents can be safe and useful tools.

Should I uninstall AI browser extensions?

Only uninstall if the extension is from an unknown developer or requests suspicious permissions. Check for reviews and ensure you understand what data the agent accesses.

Can AI agents fall victim to phishing like humans?

Yes, and sometimes even more easily. Some AI agents parse links or forms automatically without evaluating risk, making them vulnerable to intelligent phishing attacks.

How can I check what my AI agent is doing?

Many modern browsers offer network monitoring or dev tools to observe interactions. You can also use third-party monitoring tools tailored for browser security.

Will future browser versions have built-in AI protection?

Yes, that’s the direction things are heading. Collaborations like those between SquareX and browser developers focus on natively sandboxing AI functionality to reduce threats.