- NordVPN launched a tool to scan email links for threats in real time
- Expands Threat Protection Pro suite on macOS and Windows
- Visually warn users about phishing, malware, and scams.
NordVPN is beefing up its security offering with the launch of a new email protection feature, designed to protect users from the growing threat of phishing and malware attacks delivered directly 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 on malicious URLs. NordVPN, which TechRadar reviewers rated as the best VPN on the market, targets methods cybercriminals use to create a sense of urgency or curiosity, which can lead users to avoid their usual caution. “A single click can direct users to fraudulent websites that steal credentials or install malware,” said Domininkas Virbickas, Product Manager at NordVPN.
The feature is a welcome addition for anyone using the vendor’s advanced security suite 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 additional steps from the user. According to the company, this proactive approach is key to staying ahead of cyber threats.
How NordVPN Email Protection Works
NordVPN email protection is activated the moment you open an email in a supported web browser. It immediately scans every visible link and compares its destination with a constantly updated database of known malicious websites.
If a link is determined to be unsafe, whether it leads to a phishing page, a site hosting malware, 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 displays 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 is activated before threats from malicious links can attack and cause damage,” Virbickas explained. “It is a proactive defense layer that helps reduce the success rate of phishing campaigns and other online threats targeting users via email.” This functionality adds to NordVPN’s already robust set of security tools, which 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 created with privacy in mind. The tool is designed to analyze only the links themselves, not the email content, ensuring that users’ private conversations remain confidential. Does not require full access to a user’s email account; instead, it protects the fly when emails are opened.
Wherever 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 systems. This privacy-first approach ensures that risk assessment is fast and secure.
Plus, users maintain full 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 unwanted calls and protect against session hijacking vulnerabilities.
