- NordVPN launched a tool to scan email links for threats in real time
- It extends the Threat Protection Pro suite to macOS and Windows
- It visually warns users about phishing, malware, and scams.
NordVPN is strengthening its security offering with the launch of a new Email Protection feature, designed to protect users from the ever-increasing threat of phishing attacks and malware sent directly to their inboxes. The tool, which expands on the company’s existing Threat Protection Pro suite, proactively scans and flags dangerous links in emails before a user has the chance to click on them.
This new layer of defense aims to combat scams that trick people into clicking on malicious URLs. NordVPN, which TechRadar reviewers ranked as the best VPN on the market, targets the methods cybercriminals use to create a sense of urgency or curiosity, which can cause users to override their usual caution. “A single click can direct users to fraudulent websites that steal credentials or install malware,” said Domininkas Virbickas, product director at NordVPN.
This feature is a welcome addition for anyone using the vendor’s advanced security package on macOS and Windows. It works directly in your web browser and integrates seamlessly with your existing workflow to provide real-time protection without requiring additional steps from the user. According to the company, this proactive approach is essential to staying ahead of cyber threats.
How NordVPN Email Protection Works
NordVPN’s email protection is activated when 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 deemed unsafe, whether it leads to a phishing page, malware 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 threats detected in the message.
“Email protection activates before malicious link threats can strike and cause damage,” Virbickas explained. “This is a proactive layer of defense that helps reduce the success rate of phishing campaigns and other online threats targeting users via email.” This feature adds to NordVPN’s already robust security toolkit, which has already earned certifications for its effectiveness in blocking phishing.
Emphasis on user privacy
Despite its deep analytics capabilities, NordVPN emphasizes that the feature was designed around privacy. The tool is designed to only analyze the links themselves, not the content of emails, ensuring the privacy of users’ private conversations. It does not require full access to a user’s email account; instead, it protects the fly when emails are opened.
Where 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.
Additionally, users maintain full control. The Email Protection feature can be turned on or off at any time via 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.
