NordVPN is now among the best tools to avoid online shopping scams
TechRadar’s tried-and-tested VPN service is not only great for improving your online privacy, but is also one of the best solutions for combating fake online store scams.
Independent auditors at AV-Comparatives named NordVPN’s malware and ad blocker the third-best tool against online shopping fraud out of 35 comparable software packages.
The provider launched an upgraded version of its tracker blocker, Threat Protection Pro, in June to better protect users from increasingly sophisticated cyberattacks. AV-comparatives certified NordVPN as an anti-phishing tool at the time – the first VPN provider to receive such an award.
How NordVPN Protects You From Fake Online Stores
“Fake shopping websites are a growing problem for shoppers worldwide. They look like legitimate e-commerce platforms and often use professional designs, fake customer reviews, and tempting discounts to trick buyers,” said Domininkas Virbickas, Chief Development Officer at Threat Protection. “We work hard to protect our customers from the serious consequences of these sites.”
Available only for Windows and macOS at the time of writing, Threat Protection Pro is an improved version of the old tracker, malware, and ad blocker that’s integrated directly into the virtual private network software.
While what is now known as Threat Protection Lite blocks malicious websites, trackers and ads at the DNS level and only operates when connected to the VPN, Threat Protection Pro goes a step further to combat more advanced attacks such as fake webshops, phishing and other forms of malvertising. The latter works at the network level, scanning all traffic directly on the client’s device without the need for an active VPN connection.
“This is exactly what leading antivirus programs on the market do,” the vendor said.
NordVPN’s new tool has now proven to live up to the provider’s promises against online shopping scams. During the AV Comparison Testsdetected almost 70% of the fake stores. Two special browser extensions were the only tools that could outperform it.
Please note that unlike Threat Protection Lite, which is included with all plans, Threat Protection Pro is only available to Plus and Ultimate subscribers.
NordVPN can effectively protect you from most online scams, but it’s still worth learning how to spot the warning signs when buying something online from a site you don’t know.
The VPN company then shares some tips to help you stay vigilant while shopping online:
- Be skeptical of incredible discounts. The rule of thumb is: if it seems too good to be true, it probably is. The Nord team recommends comparing prices on trusted sites and being wary of big discounts on popular items.
- Check the quality of the website. While some cyberattackers are getting good at it, many scams are still easy to spot. Look for poor grammar, low-quality images, or broken links.
- Look at the domains. Fake websites often have misspelled domains, so check before clicking on them. Nord also recommends checking for a valid SSL certificate – it will appear as a “ – and a padlock icon to ensure it’s a trusted connection. To be extra safe, use a URL checker to verify that the domain is safe – NordVPN has a free one.
- Background research is essential. Everything looks legit and you’re ready to buy? Before you click the button, do some extra research. Check the reputation of the retailers online to see what other users are saying about them. Check the privacy policy, terms and conditions, and contact information of the website to see if anything seems off.
- Be careful with unusual payment methods. For obvious reasons, scammers typically prefer payments that are harder to trace, such as crypto, gift cards, or wire transfers. Offering these methods isn’t necessarily a sign of a scam, but be wary if the seller insists that you use one of these methods.
