diff --git a/scripts/browse.py b/scripts/browse.py
index 4a73d92320..09f376a70a 100644
--- a/scripts/browse.py
+++ b/scripts/browse.py
@@ -5,6 +5,11 @@ from llm_utils import create_chat_completion
 
 cfg = Config()
 
+# Define and check for local file address prefixes
+def check_local_file_access(url):
+    local_prefixes = ['file:///', 'file://localhost', 'http://localhost', 'https://localhost']
+    return any(url.startswith(prefix) for prefix in local_prefixes)
+
 def scrape_text(url):
     """Scrape text from a webpage"""
     # Most basic check if the URL is valid:
@@ -12,7 +17,7 @@ def scrape_text(url):
         return "Error: Invalid URL"
     
     # Restrict access to local files
-    if url.startswith('file://') or url.startswith('file://localhost'):
+    if check_local_file_access(url):
         return "Error: Access to local files is restricted"
     
     try: