NordVPN’s next-generation antivirus has made a notable mark in the cybersecurity landscape, achieving a commendable 94% phishing detection rate in the latest anti-phishing test conducted by AV-Comparatives. This impressive performance places NordVPN third among nine evaluated security products, trailing only behind Avast One Free Antivirus and Norton Antivirus Plus, both of which secured a 96% detection rate.
The evaluation, which took place from August 12 to August 22, 2026, scrutinized the ability of various products to detect phishing pages across 250 live phishing URLs. Additionally, 250 legitimate URLs were tested to measure false positives. Remarkably, NordVPN recorded zero false alarms, setting it apart from competitors such as Malwarebytes Premium and Webroot SecureAnywhere Internet Security Plus, which did trigger false positives during the assessment.
How does NordVPN compare?
Finishing third in this competitive field is a strong testament to NordVPN’s capabilities, but the nuances behind its score are equally revealing. The two-percentage-point gap between NordVPN and the leaders, Avast and Norton, translates to just five URLs in the context of 250 tested. This highlights the close competition in the realm of phishing protection.
At the opposite end of the spectrum, products like Dr. Web Security Space and K7 Total Security demonstrated significantly lower detection rates of 57% and 70%, respectively. These results underscore the variability in phishing protection effectiveness across the market, even among well-known brands.
Previously, NordVPN’s Threat Protection Pro was recognized as the best VPN tool for malware protection, achieving an 83.42% total detection rate across 3,209 tested links. This result positioned it well ahead of IPVanish, which scored 46.96%. Notably, NordVPN has established a strong rapport with AV-Comparatives; in June 2024, it became the first VPN provider to earn the organization’s anti-phishing protection badge, a significant accolade given AV-Comparatives’ focus on dedicated antivirus software.
To earn this badge, a product must achieve a minimum detection rate of 85% with zero false alarms on legitimate sites—a threshold not all established antivirus solutions have met. The recent 94% detection rate further solidifies NordVPN’s standing in this competitive arena.
NordVPN’s next-generation antivirus feature is available on Plus plans and higher, previously branded as Threat Protection Pro, and is included in the Plus, Complete, and Prime tiers. This strategic rebranding aligns the antivirus offering with NordVPN’s core services, which also encompass its VPN and Dark Web Monitor functionalities.
