NordVPN’s anti-malware software, Threat Protection Pro, blocked 92% of phishing websites in an independent lab test of several antivirus, browser, and VPN products, the results of which were recently released.
AV-Comparatives, based in Austria, attacked 15 products with 250 websites — all were verified as valid phishing URLs — in a test that ran from January 7 to 19. The lab said the products were tested in parallel and with active internet/cloud access. Google Chrome browser was used for antivirus and VPN essay.
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Phishing is a form of cyberattack in which a malicious actor attempts to trick someone into “fishing,” using malicious URLs as bait. These phishing attempts can be sent via email, but they also appear on websites, in text messages, and in voicemails.
You might receive an email saying that your bank account has been hacked and that you need to click on a URL to fix the problem. Or, an email tells you that you’ve won a big prize, asking you to click on a URL to redeem it. During tax season, the number of fraudulent emails and text messages increases significantly. with often used AI to increase the numbers. CNET offers tips for detecting phishing attempts even on the most sophisticated emails.
“By creating a sense of trust and urgency, cybercriminals hope to prevent you from thinking critically about their bait message so they can access your sensitive or personal information like your password, credit card numbers, user data, etc.,” warns the US State Department. website. “These cybercriminals may target specific individuals, known as spear phishing, or cast their net wide to try to catch as many victims as possible.”
In the AV-Comparatives test, which evaluated phishing page detection and false positive rates, NordVPN’s Threat Protection Pro placed fourth among security products, blocking 92% of the 250 phishing URLs tested. The highest score included:
- Avast Free Antivirus 95%
- Norton AntivirusPlus 95%
- Webroot SecureAnywhere Internet Security Plus 93%
On his websiteNordVPN claims that Threat Protection Pro protects devices even when they are not connected to a VPN. The company says the software can thwart phishing attempts and prevent malware from infecting your computer in several ways: alerts about malicious websites; block cookies that may know your browsing habits; and stop pop-ups and intrusive advertisements.
According to cybersecurity company Hoxhuntthe total volume of phishing attacks has increased by 4,151% since the advent of ChatGPT in 2022, with a cost to businesses of $4.88 million per phishing breach.
With the rapid expansion of AI on the Internet, the volume of phishing attacks is increasing. Some AI-generated phishing scams manage to bypass email filters, but Hoxhunt found that only 0.7% to 4.7% of phishing emails were written by AI. However, cybercriminals are using AI to expand their phishing tools. AI can create deepfake videos and voice impersonation phone calls to redirect payments or access sensitive data.
AI-related scams will be difficult to eliminate. CNET reported that 62% of executives had been targets of phishing attempts, including voice and text scams, and 37% of them reported invoice or payment fraud, all from Generative AI.
Although NordVPN’s product can be effective in preventing malware from infecting your computer, it cannot eliminate malware that might already be on it. To resolve these issues, CNET lists the best antivirus software of 2026 and the best free antivirus apps. These products can scan your computer and hopefully eradicate any malware and viruses that might be on it.
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