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I tested NordVPN's free scam checker against a real threat in my inbox - here's how it did

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Why This Matters

NordVPN's new AI-powered scam checker offers a free, accessible tool for consumers to identify potential scams by analyzing links, text, and images. As scammers become more sophisticated using AI, such tools are crucial for empowering users to stay safe online. However, relying solely on automated tools isn't enough; a combination of vigilance and multiple security measures remains essential.

Key Takeaways

Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNET

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ZDNET's key takeaways

NordVPN's new scam checker tool uses AI to detect suspicious content.

You'll need more than standalone services to stay safe from scams.

This is how to spot scams that are becoming more convincing.

Many of us have grown up with online scams, but the ones we encounter now are far removed from fake deposits, lottery wins, or messages from a long-lost relative who wants to bequeath you millions of dollars as an inheritance.

Also: A Meta-powered investment scam is spreading across 25 countries - how to spot (and avoid) it

Sure, these boilerplate phishing and spam emails exist -- if you're anything like me, hundreds of them fill my spam folder every week. But when a scammer takes the time to target their content and uses new technology to improve their lure emails, they can be difficult to spot.

The problem is that AI can be abused to generate convincing scams that lack the hallmarks of past phishing campaigns. An estimated 82.6% of phishing emails use some form of AI, but can we turn the tables and use AI to fight the trend?

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