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What is Threat Protection?

As the name suggests, Threat Protection is a tool that defends you from online dangers: malware, trackers, and intrusive ads. How does it work? Threat Protection scans your files during downloads, detects malicious entities, and blocks them before they can infect your device. But don’t take our word for it. Let’s have a look at the numbers.

infographic numbers of trackers ads malware blocked

Protect yourself from malware

malware worm browser windows

What is malware?

Malware is malicious software that seeks to damage or compromise a device or data. Malware’s scope varies from relatively harmless to extremely dangerous. Malicious software can track your data, steal sensitive information, or even delete it without your consent.

tabs virus magnifying glass

How can your device get infected?

Some types of malware can find their own way into your device, while others need to be planted there. Malicious software may infect your computer if you click on suspicious links, intrusive ads, or phishing emails. Using unknown USB flash drives, entering fraudulent websites, and downloading shady files are risky as well.

Common types of malware

Virus

Malware that spreads between computers and causes damage.

Ransomware

Malware that uses encryption to hold a victim’s information at ransom.

Scareware

Scares users into thinking that their computer has been infected.

Worms

Malware that spreads copies of itself from one device to another.

Spyware

Malware that gathers data about a victim and forwards it to a third party.

Trojan

Downloads onto a computer disguised as a legitimate program.

Adware

Unwanted software that throws advertisements up on a victim’s screen.

Fileless malware

Corrupts legitimate programs to infect a device.

Domain categories containing the biggest amount of malware

The following statistics were acquired by analyzing aggregated data gathered by the Threat Protection service. No identifiable user information was collected, reviewed, or otherwise involved when the research and compiled results were conducted.

infographic domain categories biggest malware

Block intrusive ads

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What are intrusive ads?

Intrusive advertising refers to pushing invasive and irrelevant ads in front of consumers. They irritate users by popping up unexpectedly, blocking the host page, opening new pages and windows, or playing video and audio at inopportune times. Annoying ads don’t take days off. Yet there is a way to stop them.

vpn ad blocker

Pros of using an ad blocker

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    Security. Ad-blocking software blocks malicious ads that can infect your device.
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    Privacy. Annoying ads rely on collecting data from your web activity and violating your privacy.
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    Speed. If a website is loading slower than usual – you can blame intrusive ads.
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    Better battery life. Free apps filled with unwanted ads could drain your device’s battery faster.

Domain categories containing the biggest amount of intrusive ads

infographic domain categories intrusive ads

Guard your devices against trackers

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phishing ip hacker tracking

Domain categories containing the biggest number of trackers

infographic domain biggest number of trackers

The average number of trackers per website in each country

infographic average number trackers website country
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Source: NordVPN research “Which countries’ websites have the most trackers?”, October, 2022. Accessible at: https://nordvpn.com/blog/nordvpn-research-website-trackers/

How to enable NordVPN’s Threat protection

01

Open

Open the NordVPN app.

02

Click the shield

Click on the little shield icon on the left side of your screen.

03

Turn it on

Toggle the “Threat Protection” switch on.

neutralTo use Threat Protection on Mac, download the NordVPN app for macOS from our website. To get Threat Protection on your PC, download the latest NordVPN app for Windows.

Do you have any questions?

We are ready to answer them. Let’s get in touch.

Frequently asked questions