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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Web trackers are scripts, cookies, or tracking pixels that collect user preferences and activity on specific or multiple websites. Their main goal is to draw an accurate profile of each website visitor. Even though many claim that this data allows companies to create a more personalized experience for everyone, the main reason for using trackers is to increase profits. Tracking sometimes may have a malicious intent too.
While many trackers are a tool for advertising and improving user experience, they may also become handy for online spies. Internet service providers (ISPs), marketing agencies, social media companies, and governments can access your online actions and breach your privacy.
Your data may also become available to cybercriminals. Misuse of user information happens once in a while. Some companies experience data breaches. In order to protect your data from being tracked or leaked, online protection is a vital asset.
Source: NordVPN research “Which countries’ websites have the most trackers?”, October, 2022. Accessible at: https://nordvpn.com/blog/nordvpn-research-website-trackers/
Open
Open the NordVPN app.
Click the shield
Click on the little shield icon on the left side of your screen.
Turn it on
Toggle the “Threat Protection” switch on.
To 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.