- NordVPN launched a tool to scan email links for threats in real time
- It expands on the Threat Protection Pro suite on macOS and Windows
- It visually warns users of phishing, malware, and scams
NordVPN is bolstering its security offering with the launch of a new email protection feature, designed to shield users from the ever-growing threat of phishing attacks and malware delivered straight to their inboxes. The tool, which expands on the company’s existing Threat Protection Pro suite, proactively scans and flags dangerous links within emails before a user has a chance to click on them.
This new layer of defense aims to combat scams that rely on tricking people into clicking malicious URLs. NordVPN, which TechRadar’s reviewers rated as the best VPN on the market, targets the methods cybercriminals use to create a sense of urgency or curiosity, which can prompt users to bypass their usual caution. “A single click may direct users to fraudulent websites that steal credentials or install malware,” said Domininkas Virbickas, product director at NordVPN.
The feature is a welcome addition for anyone using the provider’s advanced security package on macOS and Windows. It works directly within your web browser, integrating seamlessly into your existing workflow to provide real-time protection without requiring any extra steps from the user. According to the company, this proactive approach is key to staying ahead of cyber threats.
How NordVPN’s email protection works
NordVPN’s email protection activates the moment an email is opened in a supported web browser. It immediately scans every visible link and checks its destination against a constantly updated database of known malicious websites.
If a link is determined to be unsafe, whether it leads to a phishing page, malware-hosting site, or another type of scam, the feature provides an immediate visual warning. A red shield icon appears next to the suspicious link, and hovering over it reveals a short message explaining the potential threat. A banner will also appear at the top of the email, summarizing all detected threats within the message.
“Email protection activates before malicious link threats can strike and cause damage,” explained Virbickas. “It’s a proactive layer of defense that helps reduce the success rate of phishing campaigns and other online threats targeting users through email.” This functionality adds to NordVPN’s already robust security toolkit, which has previously earned certifications for its effectiveness in blocking phishing.
A focus on user privacy
Despite its deep-scanning capabilities, NordVPN emphasizes that the feature was built with privacy at its core. The tool is designed to analyze only the links themselves, not the email content, ensuring that users’ private conversations remain confidential. It does not require full access to a user’s email account; instead, it protects the fly as emails are opened.
Whenever possible, the scanning process is handled locally on the user’s device. For reputation checks that require server-side analysis, only minimal metadata, the link itself, is sent to NordVPN’s systems. This privacy-first approach ensures that risk assessment is both fast and secure.
Furthermore, users remain in complete control. The email protection feature can be enabled or disabled at any time through the Threat Protection Pro settings menu.
This release follows other recent security enhancements to the company’s Threat Protection Pro suite, including tools to block spam calls and protect against session hijacking vulnerabilities.
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