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Threat Detection Security

Overview

Threat Detection Security (Runtime Security Monitoring and Tamper Detection) represents an impenetrable defensive perimeter that transforms the browser into a hardened, zero-trust execution environment through continuous runtime auditing, API hijacking prevention, and malicious code neutralization. By implementing comprehensive monitoring across seven attack vectors—API tampering, event injection, DOM manipulation, overlay attacks, socket exfiltration, extension infiltration, and storage breaches—this client-side security framework creates an active defense system that identifies and eliminates threats before they can compromise cryptographic operations. Available across all tiers, Threat Detection ensures that UnoLock's zero-knowledge architecture remains inviolate even in hostile browser environments.

How It Works

  • API Surface Lockdown: Overwrites critical browser APIs (localStorage, sessionStorage, indexedDB, WebSocket) with security-enforced proxies that throw exceptions on access attempts, creating an impenetrable barrier against data exfiltration.
  • Event Stream Analysis: Intercepts addEventListener calls post-Angular stabilization, analyzing stack traces to identify extension-injected listeners and enforcing configurable thresholds for sensitive event types (click, keydown, input).
  • DOM Mutation Sentinel: Deploys debounced MutationObserver outside Angular's zone to detect unauthorized script/iframe injection, automatically purging elements lacking data-unolock attributes or originating from external domains.
  • Overlay Attack Prevention: Executes periodic scans for transparent, high z-index overlays that could facilitate clickjacking, automatically removing suspicious elements before user interaction occurs.
  • Extension Fingerprinting: Probes for banned extension manifests through resource loading patterns, immediately alerting users to remove detected threats while maintaining operational security.
  • API Integrity Verification: Captures cryptographic snapshots of native APIs at initialization, continuously comparing against runtime state to detect third-party overrides or monkey-patching attempts.
  • Escalating Alert System: Implements tiered response protocols—silent blocking for minor threats, user warnings for moderate risks, and session termination recommendations for critical compromises.

Security Implications

  • Zero-Day Exploit Mitigation: Behavioral detection identifies novel attack patterns without requiring signature updates, providing protection against previously unknown browser exploits.
  • Supply Chain Attack Defense: Detects compromised dependencies or malicious code injection through continuous API integrity monitoring and unauthorized script detection.
  • Credential Harvesting Prevention: Blocks keyloggers, form grabbers, and clipboard monitors through event stream analysis and input handler restrictions.

Use Cases

  • Financial Transaction Protection: Sovereign tier users executing high-value cryptocurrency transfers receive real-time protection against transaction manipulation and private key theft attempts.
  • Corporate Espionage Defense: HighRisk tier enterprises gain protection against targeted attacks using sophisticated browser exploits designed to exfiltrate sensitive corporate data.
  • Journalist Security Operations: Activists and journalists in hostile environments receive alerts about surveillance extensions and state-sponsored malware attempting to compromise their communications.
  • Healthcare Data Protection: Medical professionals handling patient data benefit from comprehensive protection against HIPAA-violating data breaches through browser vulnerabilities.

Why It Matters

Threat Detection Security acknowledges a fundamental truth: the browser is both UnoLock's execution environment and its primary attack surface. By implementing comprehensive runtime monitoring that spans from low-level API hooks to high-level behavioral analysis, this security framework transforms the browser from a potential vulnerability into a fortified stronghold. While no client-side solution can guarantee absolute protection, Threat Detection's multi-layered approach significantly elevates the effort required for successful attacks, making UnoLock users unprofitable targets for all but the most determined adversaries.

FAQs

Can Threat Detection prevent zero-day browser exploits?

While not infallible, Threat Detection's behavioral monitoring often identifies zero-day exploits through anomalous API usage patterns, providing defense against unknown vulnerabilities without requiring updates.

Does continuous monitoring impact browser performance?

Monitoring operations execute outside Angular's change detection cycle using efficient observers and debounced checks, maintaining sub-millisecond overhead for typical operations.

What happens if Threat Detection itself is compromised?

Multiple redundant detection mechanisms ensure that compromising one monitoring component triggers alerts from others, creating defense-in-depth against targeted bypass attempts.

Compliance & Privacy Regulations

  • Client-Only Operations: All threat detection occurs within the browser sandbox with no external reporting, ensuring complete privacy compliance and preventing surveillance concerns.
  • GDPR Article 32 Compliance: Continuous security monitoring satisfies requirements for appropriate technical measures to ensure ongoing confidentiality, integrity, and resilience.

Integration with Other Features

  • Post-Quantum Encryption: Threat Detection ensures the browser environment remains secure for cryptographic operations, preventing key material extraction before quantum-resistant encryption is applied.
  • DPW VaultSign: Validates signing environment integrity before private key operations, ensuring transaction signing occurs only in verified clean browser contexts.
  • SeedSafe: Monitors for clipboard hijacking and screen recording attempts during seed phrase entry, preventing mnemonic theft through browser-based attacks.

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