This Scam Copilot Online Scam Protection Feature is Changing the Fight Against Digital Fraud

Online scams have become a staple of modern cybercrime, targeting individuals and businesses with increasingly sophisticated tactics. From phishing emails to fake websites and fraudulent ads, scammers exploit technology and human vulnerabilities to deceive and defraud.

Let's take a look at malicious ads, for instance. These promoted videos blend into organic content on social media platforms and have become potent tools in the fraud ecosystem. Masquerading as legitimate offers, and even breaking news, these ads lure users with promises of incredible investment opportunities, miracle cures or great discounts. Once clicked, they lead victims to fraudulent websites or malware-laden downloads designed to steal login information, financial details, or even take control of their devices.

Social media malvertising thrives on its ability to blend into trusted environments, exploiting the trust users place in familiar platforms. This trust, combined with the speed at which ads can go viral, allows scammers to target millions in a matter of hours. Moreover, advanced targeting algorithms on these platforms enable cybercriminals to focus on specific demographics, tailoring their messages to maximize their impact.

To address this growing threat, the Scam Copilot feature, integrated into select Bitdefender products, introduces the innovative Online Scam Protection technology. This AI-powered solution is designed to identify, block, and educate users about online scams in real time, safeguarding their digital experiences at every step.

How scammers exploit the online world

Scammers capitalize on the anonymity and vast reach of the internet to launch sophisticated attacks. They lure victims through:

• Phishing emails and messages: Fraudsters send emails or messages disguised as official communications from banks, retailers, or government agencies, tricking victims into sharing sensitive information.
• Fake websites: Cybercriminals create replica websites that mimic legitimate brands, leading users to enter their login credentials, payment details, or personal data.
• Malicious ads: Fraudulent ads on social media or search engines promote fake products, services, or investment opportunities, often leading to financial loss.

Once they gain access to sensitive data, scammers may engage in identity theft, unauthorized transactions, or further exploitation through additional attacks. These scams leave victims with financial losses, compromised privacy, and emotional distress.

Online Scam Protection under the hood

The Online Scam Protection feature in Scam Copilot is an important layer of defense against online scams, that attempts to block the scam at the origin. Most scams start with users either receiving a message with a malicious link or watching a malicious ad on their favorite social network.

And here’s where Online Scam Protection kicks in:  every time the user clicks a malicious ad or a fraudulent link in a scammy short message, the Bitdefender technology will block access to the page and will notify the user about the fact that they walked into a scam.

While this mechanism looks simple on the surface, the technologies that help us detect such links are incredibly complex: 

Bitdefender Labs monitors incoming scam waves and processes fraudulent links inside messages. This threat intelligence becomes available in real time to all customers via our Global Protective Network so even the newest scams are exposed. If a suspicious site is detected, users receive an instant alert, preventing them from sharing sensitive data. Whenever we detect increased activity in your region, we send a proactive Scam Wave Alert to customers who are likely to get targeted so they get a heads-up about what's coming.

Ad fraud detection is another built-in feature that analyzes online ads and promotions for signs of fraud, such as unrealistic claims or links to malicious websites. This helps users avoid falling victim to scams disguised as genuine offers and promoted via paid ads on social networks.

Online Scam Protection also defends against regular phishing attempts by blocking access to these sites and alerting users to potential threats.

Why is Online Scam Protection important?

Online scams are no longer limited to tech novices. Advanced techniques, such as AI-generated phishing emails or deepfake videos, make it increasingly difficult to differentiate between legitimate and fraudulent content. Even tech-savvy users can fall prey to these schemes without adequate safeguards, and the Global Anti-Scam Alliance surveys are testament to it.

Online Scam Protection bridges this gap by combining AI-driven intelligence with real-time alerts and actionable insights. Its proactive approach helps users stay one step ahead of scammers, whether they’re shopping online, checking emails, or exploring new websites.

A layer of security for every user

The increasing frequency and sophistication of online scams make anti-scam protection essential for everyone. Whether you’re a casual internet user or a business professional, the risks of falling victim to these schemes are higher than ever.

Availability

Online Scam Protection is now available as part of the Scam Copilot feature in Bitdefender Ultimate Security, Bitdefender Ultimate Security Plus (U.S. only), Bitdefender Ultimate Small Business Security (U.S. only) and Bitdefender Premium Security with support for Windows, macOS, iOS and Android.