Our family of brands and our trust-based solutions help more than 500 million people around the world live fuller, safer digital lives today. We’re continuously defining what it means to live freely in the digital world of tomorrow. Learn how.

Director of AI & Innovation

Family of Brands

A decade ago, your reputation mostly traveled by who you knew and word of mouth. Today, it lives&nbsp;online. Recruiters search before they reach out. People probe online to learn about others. Clients look for signals of expertise before starting conversations. &nbsp;Your online presence has quietly become a living record of how you show up in your life and your field.&nbsp;But building that presence consistently isn’t easy.&nbsp;Platforms reward consistency and visibility, yet time is limited. Turning real-world expertise into thoughtful online content can feel like another full-time job. Many people post sporadically or rely on generic AI tools that produce content quickly but flatten the voice that makes their perspective valuable.&nbsp;Online presence has never mattered more. Yet, credibility has never been easier to dilute.&nbsp;At Gen, we believe digital confidence extends beyond protecting devices and identities. It also means empowering people to participate in the digital world with confidence and control. That philosophy is why Norton recently introduced Norton Revamp, an AI-powered online presence builder within the Norton ecosystem, designed to help people turn their expertise into a consistent and credible online presence.&nbsp;

<h2>The real challenge: consistency, not expertise&nbsp;</h2>Most people don’t struggle with ideas. They struggle with momentum.&nbsp;Founders, engineers, consultants, creative leaders and even hobbyists accumulate valuable insights every day: lessons from being deeply involved, shifts in their industries or strategies that helped solve a difficult problem. The challenge is finding the structure and time to turn those insights into posts that others can learn from. &nbsp;This is where many AI writing tools fall short. They focus on speed, generating content instantly but often stripping away the nuance that makes insight meaningful.&nbsp;The result is a growing stream of polished but interchangeable posts that sound like everyone else. We don’t need AI to replace our thinking. We need tools that help us articulate our experience.&nbsp;<h2>How AI can support authentic professional voices&nbsp;</h2>AI works best when it acts as a structured partner, not an autopilot.&nbsp;Norton Revamp was designed with that principle in mind. Instead of automatically generating content, Revamp provides guidance that helps professionals translate their real-world expertise into thoughtful online posts. It also brings in practical tools along the way — from generating images with AI to searching visuals, finding the latest relevant news and more — so ideas can be supported, not just written.&nbsp;Revamp users receive curated direction aligned with their personal or professional goals and areas of expertise, helping them move past the blank page and focus on topics that strengthen their professional narrative over time. AI-assisted drafting helps shape ideas into structured posts, strengthening the thinking behind them while helping maintain the author’s voice and perspective. And beyond just writing, Revamp lets people source recent news articles to comment on and even create custom AI-generated images, to add depth to the content and spur conversation.&nbsp;&nbsp;The goal isn’t simply to produce more content. It’s to help people capture insights they already have and share them consistently. &nbsp;When people show up regularly with thoughtful ideas, their networks may begin to recognize patterns in how they think, what they value and how they approach challenges. Over time, that consistency builds trust.&nbsp;<h2>Why visibility creates opportunity&nbsp;</h2>A consistent presence online can help unlock opportunities that would otherwise remain invisible.&nbsp;Ideas travel beyond immediate networks. It can help recruiters identify emerging expertise. Clients gain confidence in someone’s perspective before the first meeting even happens.&nbsp;People who share their thinking openly often become the voices shaping conversations in their industries.&nbsp;But maintaining that visibility requires rhythm.&nbsp;Posting every day isn’t necessary. What matters is participating thoughtfully over time. Tools like Norton Revamp help people develop ideas, structure posts and maintain a manageable posting cadence, making it easier to stay visible without turning content into a second job.&nbsp;<h2>Control and trust in the age of AI&nbsp;</h2>As AI becomes more embedded in digital tools, one principle matters more than ever: people should remain in control of their voice and narrative.&nbsp;&nbsp;That’s why tools like Norton Revamp are designed so thatcontent is only published after user approval. AI suggestions provide context, allowing professionals to evaluate recommendations before deciding what goes live.&nbsp;Behind the scenes, Norton Revamp is the newest product from Gen AI Foundry, our initiative to turn AI innovation into real products. Norton Revamp is backed by the Gen trust layer, our evolving framework that prioritizes safety, transparency and accountability in emerging digital technologies. Built on decades of cybersecurity leadership, this trust layer helps ensure that innovation in AI is guided by the same principles that have long protected people online.&nbsp;This reflects a broader philosophy across Gen: trust is built when people understand how technology works and remain firmly in control of the outcomes.&nbsp;<h2>The next layer of digital confidence&nbsp;</h2>For decades, Norton has helped people navigate their digital lives with greater confidence across devices and digital environments.&nbsp;Today, empowering people online is also about helping them manage how they show up in digital spaces,&nbsp;whether that means protecting their identity, maintaining privacy or building an online presence.&nbsp;The people shaping the future will be the ones whose ideas show up where conversations are already happening. &nbsp;Norton Revamp was created to support that shift, helping people turn their voices into a stronger, more consistent digital presence. Learn more at <a href="https://revamp.norton.com" target="_blank">revamp.norton.com</a>.&nbsp;

How Norton Revamp helps people build a consistent, trustworthy voice online.

How AI Can Power Your Online Presence 

Corporate Manager

Security is changing quickly. So are the threats people face online. AI is accelerating that shift. Today’s attacks are more adaptive and harder to detect, from AI-generated scams to techniques that evolve in real time. Meeting that reality requires security that performs in everyday use, adapts as threats change and doesn’t add friction for the people relying on it.&nbsp;At Gen, progress starts by listening to how people live online and what they encounter day to day. Customers experience these threats firsthand, and their feedback helps shape how we build and evolve our products. Independent testing then validates those decisions beyond our own walls, pressure-testing performance in real-world conditions and at scale.&nbsp;That’s why recognition matters, not as an end goal, but as a signal that what we’re building is working where it counts. And helping the people we serve. &nbsp;In 2025, across five key security vectors, Gen brands earned <a href="https://www.av-comparatives.org/consumer-summary-report-2025/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">16 independent awards</a> from AV-Comparatives, one of the industry’s most rigorous testing organizations.&nbsp;<h2>Five ways to measure security, not just one&nbsp;</h2>Security leadership doesn’t show up in a single metric. It shows up across dimensions that often compete: protection strength, system performance, advanced threat response and long-term trust. This year, Gen brands were recognized across all five:&nbsp;<ul><li>Approved Security Product: Norton, Avast, AVG, Avira</li><li>Top-Rated Products 2025: Norton, Avast, AVG</li><li>Real-World Protection: Norton (Gold), Avira (Bronze)</li><li>Overall Performance (Low System Impact): Avast (Gold), AVG (Gold), Norton (Silver)</li><li>Advanced Threat Protection: Avast (Silver), AVG (Silver), Norton (Silver), Avira (Bronze)&nbsp;</li></ul>In total, this represents 16 awards across four of our trusted brands: Norton, Avast, AVG, and Avira.&nbsp;&nbsp;<h2>Why these signals matter&nbsp;</h2>What these awards reflect isn’t just product excellence; it's evolution.&nbsp;Threats are changing faster than ever. AI-powered scams, deepfakes and social engineering attacks don’t announce themselves. They blend in. They exploit trust. And they test whether security can keep up without slowing people down.&nbsp;Being recognized for real-world protection means our products perform outside the lab.&nbsp; Being recognized for low system impact means protection doesn’t come at the cost of performance.&nbsp; Being recognized for advanced threat defense means we’re preparing for what’s next, not just reacting to what’s already known. &nbsp;<h2>Ambitions for 2026 and beyond&nbsp;&nbsp;</h2>Awards tell us where we stand. What matters next is how we apply what we’ve learned to the threats people are facing right now.&nbsp;As scams, deepfakes and financial fraud become more frequent and more convincing, our focus has already shifted accordingly, and you can already experience this in our products.&nbsp;&nbsp;That work is already underway:&nbsp;<ul><li>Investing in real-time, proactive scam and fraud protection, designed to help you spot scams so you can get on with life. This includes protection across the channels where scams most often surface (email, SMS, and calls).</li><li>Using AI to respond to the growing sophistication of AI-driven threats, moving beyond link scanning to understand the intent and tactics behind a message and helping people decide what to do next with clarity and context.</li><li>Advancing deepfake detection and protection, including recent collaboration with Intel at CES, and leveraging the growing capabilities of <a href="https://www.gendigital.com/blog/news/family-of-brands/norton-qualcomm-deepfakes" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Intel and Qualcomm AI PCs</a>, enabling faster, always-on detection that proactively protects against today's most sophisticated scams.&nbsp;</li></ul>As the threat landscape continues to change, our direction is clear: focus on the risks that matter most to people, respond before harm occurs and build protection that works in practice, not just in theory.&nbsp;

Measuring what matters: Security, responsibility and what comes next 

16 independent security awards show how Gen builds protection that scales 

Threat Research Team

We’re immersed in a digital feed that never sleeps. In just a few years, our habits have shifted from group chats and photo sharing to an always-on stream of video. Short clips, social feeds, and streaming platforms now blend into a single, continuous online viewing experience.&nbsp;At the same time, AI-generated content, known as deepfakes, has quietly moved from spectacle to infrastructure. What once felt like a novelty, or something reserved for viral clips and obvious hoaxes, is now part of everyday video production. Today’s deepfakes are often subtle, designed to blend seamlessly into the videos people already watch, making it hard to tell what’s real and what’s fake. This seamlessness and the question mark over authenticity matter, because video content has become the default way people learn, relax, and make decisions. In August 2025, YouTube accounted for 13.4 percent of all U.S. television viewing. In the UK, regulators report that 41 percent of YouTube viewing already happens on TV sets. Around the world, streaming continues to expand its share of home TV use, bringing the “what to watch next” algorithms, suggested videos, autoplay queues, and targeted ads directly into living rooms.&nbsp;So, what’s the problem? People instinctively trust what they see and hear. And while deepfakes aren’t inherently malicious, AI-generated videos and audio can convincingly mimic real people, making false information feel authentic and emotionally persuasive. This blurs the lines between reality and fabrication, and it also enables a new frontier for scams - delivered faster and with greater impact than ever before.&nbsp;<h2>How deepfake scams hide in plain sight&nbsp;</h2>The tools AI creators rely on for voice cloning, synthetic narration, automated editing, and composite visuals, are now standard capabilities across many popular platforms and production workflows.&nbsp;Adobe’s latest global survey found that 86 percent of creators use generative AI somewhere in their process. Analysts expect a growing share of outbound marketing messages to be synthetically generated, enabling persuasion at scale, delivered faster and with fewer human bottlenecks.&nbsp;In practice, this makes deepfakes harder to spot. A video may look ordinary while the audio has been cloned. A familiar voice may be paired with stock footage. A stitched interview clip may borrow credibility from a real person without ever showing their face. Most of these techniques are not harmful by design, but criminals have learned how to use them for malicious intent by combining them with scam narratives that feel personal and believable. Criminals do not need a million views. They need the right viewer at the right moment.&nbsp;<h2>How we’re protecting people from deepfake scams&nbsp;</h2>In the second half of 2025, <a href="https://newsroom.gendigital.com/2025-09-16-Norton-Unveils-Advanced-Deepfake-Protection-Powered-by-Intel-R-Core-TM-Ultra-Processors" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Norton</a> introduced proactive on-device detection of malicious AI-generated audio in video content on platforms including YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, X, TikTok, Vimeo, Twitch, and DailyMotion. We began by delivering this capability on AI PCs in partnership with chipmakers like Intel and Qualcomm, where on-device processing makes it possible to analyze audio without sending sensitive data to the cloud. The capability has since expanded to traditional high-end PCs as well, making this early protection accessible to a broader audience.&nbsp;&nbsp;At the same time, we <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cgJ6vWCaKaA" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">released a preliminary version</a> of cloud-based video manipulation detection and started collecting telemetry to improve accuracy and coverage over time. Today, at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, we are showcasing an early preview of the next evolution of this protection: on-device video manipulation detection for AI PCs, in partnership with Intel.&nbsp;Utilizing Intel’s Panther Lake processor and our new, in-development image analysis tool, we are now able to scan video and detect malicious deepfakes of well-known public figures used by criminals for scam campaigns. This can be done directly on the device for faster and more private protection – a new benchmark for the industry. Over time, our technology is expected to expand to detect more than just celebrities and famous people – it will also help to protect against more devastating scams such as family member impersonation.&nbsp;<h2>What the preliminary data shows&nbsp;&nbsp;</h2>As of now, two patterns stand out. YouTube accounts for the largest share of blocked deepfake-enabled scam videos on the Internet, followed by Facebook, and then X. Additionally, the risk skews toward longer viewing sessions rather than short clips. This aligns with how people consume video today, especially on TVs and PCs, where extended watch time gives scammers more opportunity to persuade, and mirrors YouTube’s prominence as the default destination for long-form recommendation-driven viewing.&nbsp;By country, the United States accounts for the largest share of intercepted deepfake scam videos, followed by Germany, United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia. All other countries combined make up a larger share than any single market. These figures show where our protection intercepted scams, not where overall deepfake risk is highest. Results are influenced by feature availability and regional usage patterns. As adoption expands, we will add per-user risk metrics to provide more context.&nbsp;Out of all the data, one detail is especially important: most deepfake scams were spotted in real time, during playback. They appeared as part of normal viewing, not as downloads, attachments, or links sent separately. This means scam deepfakes hide in plain sight, woven into normal video consumption. They feel routine and familiar, not disruptive, and serve as the delivery mechanism inside a broader attempt to steal money.&nbsp;Our Deepfake Protection is built to stop these financial scams that cause the most harm – but it also protects against other scam types, grouping them into a broader scam category. Most blocked videos fell into this group, with financial and cryptocurrency following closely behind.&nbsp;&nbsp;<h2>Deepfakes are neutral. Intent is not.&nbsp;</h2>There is far more AI-generated and deepfake-assisted video online than outright scam content. Deepfake techniques are now widely used for legitimate purposes, including accessibility, localization, editing efficiency, and creative expression.&nbsp;The presence of a deepfake alone is not the risk. Risk emerges when deepfake capabilities are paired with intent: urgent financial requests, promises of guaranteed returns, pressure to act quickly, or instructions to move conversations or payments off platform.&nbsp;Our telemetry focuses on that overlap: deepfake-assisted media that is also a scam.&nbsp;Most detections fall into a broad manipulated media category, often voice-led clips designed to sound authoritative, familiar, or reassuring. Within the smaller, clearly labeled set, the dominant themes remain finance, investment, and cryptocurrencies.&nbsp;As deepfakes become normal in media production, the right way to judge risk is by behavior and outcome, not by whether AI or deepfake tools were involved.&nbsp;<h2>What the signals suggest&nbsp;</h2>Several themes emerge clearly.&nbsp;First, scammers follow attention. Deepfake scams appear wherever people spend time watching video. If they can blend into ordinary playlists on major platforms, they do not need mass reach. Believability matters more than scale.&nbsp;Second, finance remains the primary lure. Investment advice, trading schemes, and giveaways dominate. This mirrors broader trends in digital advertising, where AI-targeted calls to action increasingly appear across social video and connected TV.&nbsp;Third, deepfakes scale because AI use is normal. With creator adoption this high, criminal groups naturally use the same tools. The difference is intent, and our detections focus squarely on deepfake-enabled deception tied to scams.&nbsp;<h2>What people can do right now&nbsp;</h2>Do not trust a video on its own. If it asks you to move money or share sensitive information, pause and verify through an official website or contact method you look up yourself.&nbsp;Ignore urgency and exclusivity. Limited time offers, countdowns, and “only for subscribers” language are common deepfake scam tactics.&nbsp;Listen closely to the audio. Many deepfake scams rely on cloned voices. Watch for unnatural pacing, missing pauses, or mismatched sound environments.&nbsp;Report and move on. Reporting helps platforms downrank deepfake scam content faster and protects others. Scams scale when people share them, so reporting matters.&nbsp;&nbsp;<h2>How good technology is now playing a role&nbsp;</h2>At the same time, defensive technology is evolving just as quickly. At Gen, we are embracing and innovating with AI to counter AI-driven deception through deepfake protection built into our Norton and Avast products, including work that analyzes both audio and visual signals for signs of manipulation. This includes detecting synthetic voices and identifying subtle visual inconsistencies that indicate digital alteration. The initial proof of concept at CES is the first step in applying our technology to detect well-known public figures, where verified reference data makes detection more reliable.&nbsp;&nbsp;When a suspected scam deepfake is detected, our products do more than flag it. They provide contextual guidance, helping people understand what they are seeing and what steps to take next. The goal is not to label every AI-edited video as dangerous, but to focus on intent and harm, intervening when manipulated media is being used to deceive, pressure, or defraud. As deepfakes blend more seamlessly into everyday viewing, protections like these help restore balance by bringing scrutiny to moments where trust is most easily exploited.&nbsp;Deepfakes work because they align what we hear with what we expect to see. Audio carries warmth, authority, or urgency, but visuals often provide the final proof. A familiar face or trusted brand image can override doubt in seconds, even when the message itself makes little sense. Presented as interviews or tutorials, these scams feel helpful, not harmful. This is why detecting visual manipulation is becoming just as important as analyzing synthetic audio, especially as scam campaigns increasingly rely on recognizable faces to create instant credibility. That is why nearly all interceptions in our data occur during playback rather than through manual checks. Protection has to operate where attention lives.&nbsp;Deepfakes are now part of modern media production, and that will not change. The question is not whether deepfake technology is involved, but whether it is being used to drive a fraudulent action.&nbsp;This is our first share-based look at deepfake-enabled scam videos across platforms and countries. It establishes a baseline and moves the conversation from anecdotes to patterns. As adoption grows, we will continue to highlight where people are actually encountering deepfake scams and which lures are costing them real money.&nbsp;To learn more about deepfakes and how Gen and Intel are fighting back, visit <a href="https://edge.prnewswire.com/c/link/?t=0&amp;l=en&amp;o=4547254-1&amp;h=3015467702&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fnorton.com%2Ffeature%2Fai-scam-protection&amp;a=https%3A%2F%2Fnorton.com%2Ffeature%2Fai-scam-protection" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://norton.com/feature/ai-scam-protection</a>.&nbsp;

From accessibility and creativity to financial scams and identity theft, the difference is not the technology but the intent

From helpful AI to harmful deepfakes: Where video scams cross the line

Security Evangelist at Gen

Deepfakes are no longer science fiction. With today’s AI tools, scammers can generate convincing voices and videos in seconds, making it harder than ever to know what’s real. Some of these fakes are entertaining but others are designed to trick you into handing over money, credentials or personal information.<h3>Why this matters now</h3>Deepfake scams are moving away from viral stunts and toward smaller, more personal cons. A cloned voice or short clip can be made in minutes, and it is already good enough to fool people on calls, voice notes and quick videos. That is why protection that runs on your computer matters — it works fast and keeps what you watch private. The words in a video often give the scam away — promises, pressure and “act now” language are stronger tells than tiny visual flaws. And two layers help the most: automatic protection catches bad clips as you browse and a quick check lets you verify anything that feels off before you act.<h3>What Norton is doing</h3>At Norton, we have introduced two protections that work together: Media Shield in Norton 360 for the latest Windows AI PCs and Video Analyzer in Norton Scam Protection for quick checks on videos you’re unsure about. Both look for manipulated media and scam intent, and they do it in different ways that complement each other.<h3>Media Shield: automatic protection on your device</h3>Media Shield runs in real time using the PC’s new AI hardware to analyze audio and video as you watch or listen. You do not need to do anything — it works automatically in the background and keeps analysis on your device.<h3>Video Analyzer: on-demand checks when you’re unsure</h3>Available through Norton Scam Protection, Video Analyzer lets you paste a link — for example, a suspicious YouTube video — and get a fast assessment. It looks at what is being said in the transcript and at surrounding signals such as links in the metadata. So far, about 9 out of 10 scam classifications come from the content itself rather than from suspicious URLs alone. Because it is on demand, submissions reflect what people worry about most, with crypto and finance topics leading, followed by news and tech.<h3>What we are seeing so far</h3>Although Media Shield is available to a limited early access group, the pattern is clear. Most detections so far involve deepfake audio used to mislead. A smaller share are flagged as scam videos, with cryptocurrency and finance themes dominating. Nearly all of the scam clips we saw had under 10,000 views, while viral clips with hundreds of thousands of views were rarely scams in our sample. This points to a shift away from chasing mass reach and toward convincing smaller audiences who are easier to persuade. These are early signals and they will evolve as the rollout grows.<h3>What this means for you</h3>Keep Media Shield in Norton 360 on as your safety net while you browse. It can stop risky audio and video in real time. If something gives you pause, paste the link into Video Analyzer and check it before you trust or pay. Be extra careful with money themes — for example, giveaways, investment promises that seem too good to be true or clips that imitate financial experts. Treat surprise calls or voice notes as high risk even if the voice sounds like someone you know. As these protections reach more people, the early picture is clear — deepfakes are not chasing viral fame, they are being used in smaller scams that try to separate you from your money.

Real-time protection meets real-world deception. Norton’s AI-powered tools help you tell truth from trick.

Spotting the Fakes: How Norton’s Media Shield and Video Analyzer Help You Fight Deepfake Scams 

VP Product Management, Security 

AI is changing everything. How we work, how we connect, and yes, even how people are getting scammed. But Norton, a brand of Gen, is turning the tables. By teaming up with Qualcomm, we have a first look at how AI-powered devices can help spot sophisticated scams in real-time.&nbsp;Welcome to a smarter kind of protection. At the 2025 Consumer Electronics Show (CES), we <a href="https://us.norton.com/blog/online-scams/npu-scam-detection" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">first announced</a> our work with Qualcomm to offer Norton Scam Protection for AI-supported PCs,&nbsp; powered by Qualcomm’s Neural Processing Units (NPUs). We are now stepping up to take on the new wave of deepfake-driven deception with the official rollout of this offering.&nbsp;

<h2>Deepfakes and AI scams are here. So is our AI-powered defense.&nbsp;</h2>Let’s face it: today’s scams are slick. It might start with an AI-generated voice that sounds like a family member or friend, guiding you to a fake website that looks just like the real thing. Ultimately, it’s all part of a phishing scam designed to steal your money or personal data.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Cybercriminals are getting smarter by the day and using AI to do it. But they’re not the only ones getting smarter. We are, too.&nbsp;At this year’s CES, Norton showcased how our next-gen AI—powered by Qualcomm’s NPUs—can analyze video content to detect scams and identify suspicious AI-generated elements, all while keeping your personal data securely on your device.&nbsp;Now, we’re building on that demo.&nbsp; We’re expanding protection with Deepfake Detection as part of Genie Scam Protection (available in Norton 360 plans in the US, UK, Australia and New Zealand) to help even more people spot and stop scams in real time.&nbsp;&nbsp;Here’s what happens when Microsoft Copilot+ PCs with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X Series chips combine with Norton’s AI-powered scam detection:&nbsp;<ul><li>Instant scam detection, without the cloud: Our AI works directly on the device, analyzing data on the spot. No upload. No lag. Just fast, private, real-time protection.</li><li>Deepfake audio analysis: It might sound completely real, like an influencer endorsing a crypto opportunity or a giveaway that seems too good to miss. But behind the scenes, our Deepfake Protection scans audio for signs it's AI-generated and automatically flags suspicious content, like financial scams, before you ever click ‘invest.’</li><li>Built-in speed and security: Thanks to Qualcomm’s NPU, detection happens in seconds, not minutes, meaning you stay ahead of the threats.&nbsp;&nbsp;</li></ul><h2>A peek behind the curtain: AI that learns from millions&nbsp;</h2>Norton’s AI engines, already used by millions of people, have been trained on millions of real-world scam samples. Now, we’re bringing that experience to your device with even more speed and precision.&nbsp;&nbsp;And with Qualcomm’s expanding line of AI PCs, this kind of advanced scam protection is coming to more people, more quickly, than ever before.&nbsp;This milestone points to a powerful future: AI that defends you right from your desktop or laptop, built into the devices you use every day.&nbsp; Stay tuned as we roll out more updates on Norton Scam Protection. In the age of AI, we’re putting smarter protection where it matters most: in your hands.&nbsp;&nbsp;

With Qualcomm’s NPU-powered AI and Norton’s deepfake detection, your next PC could be your strongest digital defense

Deepfake detected: How Norton and Qualcomm are leveling up scam defense

Malware Analyst at Avast

We all get packages, sometimes too many to keep track on. And that’s exactly what scammers are counting on. At least 69% of Americans receive a package every month, making it a service that nearly everyone uses. With the growing number of delivery providers, it's easy for people to lose track of their shipments — and that’s exactly when attackers strike.&nbsp;A simple trick used by scammers is to send out mass emails at random — a tactic we might call a “catch-all” strategy. Most of these emails will likely be caught by spam filters, and many recipients will ignore them. However, a few people may still click on the scam link, which leads them to a malicious page. Let’s break down how this scam works and what it looks like, because unlike the classic scam emails full of bright flashing warnings and countdown timers, this one is far more subtle. Still there are tells to find out :&nbsp;<ul><li>Unprofessional Layout and Missing Shipment Details&nbsp;- The email design is sloppy, and key information like a real pickup address and customer account number is missing — not what you'd expect from DHL.</li><li>Suspicious Email and Links&nbsp;- Only an email address is shown (no real address), and the tracking link could redirect you to a phishing site.</li><li>Urgent, Pressuring Language&nbsp;- The email tries to rush you into clicking quickly — a classic tactic scammers use to trick people.&nbsp;</li></ul>

You might be thinking that the email looks similar to many you've seen before, right? That’s true — it doesn’t stand out particularly at first glance. And that’s exactly why this example is so interesting: it strikes a balance between appearing legitimate and hiding the usual red flags often found in scam emails.&nbsp;One quick trick to check if an email is fake? Look at the sender’s address. Does it really come from DHL or something odd like <a href="mailto:info@ioxr.art" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">info@ioxr.art</a>?&nbsp;&nbsp;Looking further into the email body, there’s a button that clearly encourages the user to click and proceed. It’s designed to appear as though it will take the recipient to DHL’s official tracking page. But let’s take a closer look at the code behind this button to see where it actually leads.&nbsp;

The link actually goes to a site hosted on IPFS — a system that makes it hard to take things down, which is exactly why scammers love it.&nbsp;&nbsp;While this makes it harder to take malicious content offline, it also raises a red flag — this is not where you’d expect a legitimate DHL email to direct you.&nbsp;So where does the link take us? Since IPFS is compatible with modern browsers, it opens a landing page — and it becomes clear this isn’t DHL’s site. The page is generic enough that many people might not question it. It doesn’t display much information at all, but it personalizes the scam by pre-filling the login field with the recipient’s email address. That’s a subtle but clever touch — it adds just enough legitimacy to convince some users to proceed.&nbsp;

The site even blocks right-clicking so you can’t inspect the code — a common trick scammers use to hide what they’re really doing

Otherwise, the landing page appears fairly unremarkable. The language selection links at the bottom, for example, are non-functional — clicking them does nothing. But most users won’t bother to test those, so they serve a purely visual purpose: to make the site look more legitimate and avoid raising suspicion.Now, let’s take a look under the hood and examine the potentially malicious code.At first glance, most of the code is dedicated to CSS styling — which is unusual, as this would typically be loaded from external files. Embedding so much CSS directly into the page is a strange choice and already raises some suspicion. But beyond the formatting, there are several indicators that strongly suggest this is a phishing site.1. The URL points to IPFS storage (ipfs.io)Real login portals (e.g., for Microsoft, Google, etc.) use official domains (like microsoft.com, google.com, outlook.com). ipfs.io is a decentralized file storage system — no legitimate organization will host login pages there.&nbsp;2. Poor HTML/CSS quality and broken elementsThe code is poorly formatted, has broken inline styles, and excessive base64-encoded images. Real corporate web pages are carefully coded, fully polished, and use proper asset management (e.g., not massive inline blobs).3. Form captures email and password with no backendThe form fields (email, password) do not submit anywhere obvious. Real login forms send credentials securely (HTTPS POST) to legitimate servers. Phishing forms either harvest the info silently or submit it to hidden malicious endpoints.4. Mix of languages links with no functionalityThere are fake "language links" (Arabic, Czech, Danish, etc.) all pointing to the same broken IPFS page. On real sites, language selectors actually change the content dynamically.The distribution of this scam is fairly evenly spread across the globe:&nbsp;

As previously mentioned, due to the generic nature of the landing page and the broad appeal of the phishing message, this scam can be deployed almost identically worldwide. This increases the attackers' chances of success by allowing them to trick users in multiple regions into handing over their credentials — which can then be repurposed for more targeted, high-value attacks.The threat is steadily increasing. The dips visible in the data typically correspond to weekends, suggesting that the most successful day to launch an attack is Monday — when people return to full inboxes and are still easing into the workweek. Aside from this pattern, the threat remains consistent and persistent. We fully expect this scam, or variations of it, to continue appearing now and in the foreseeable future.

<h2>So, how to protect yourself against these scams?</h2><ul><li>Always check the email headers Look at the sender’s email address closely — is it from a legitimate domain you recognize? Official companies will never use suspicious or unfamiliar domains.</li><li>Examine the landing page Does the page look like what you expected? If something feels off, it probably is. Be especially wary if you're redirected to an unfamiliar URL.</li><li>Assess the design and formatting Most phishing emails are poorly designed. Look for inconsistent fonts, low-quality logos, or broken elements that a professional company would never send.</li><li>Watch for time pressure and manipulative language Scammers often create a false sense of urgency — claiming your package will be returned or your account will be locked unless you act immediately. Take a moment to verify before clicking.</li></ul>Email scams aren’t going away, but staying alert can keep you safe. Before you click, take a breath, check the sender, and when in doubt, go straight to the company’s official website.

Delivery scams are evolving. Here’s what they look like now

“Missed package?” How a simple delivery scam is fooling thousands

Chief AI & Innovation Officer

<h2>From Netscape Navigator to Google Chrome: 30 Years of Browser Evolution&nbsp;</h2>Thirty years ago, Netscape went public and helped launch the internet era. Its browser, Netscape Navigator, led the way and laid the foundation for how billions of people would access the web.&nbsp;As the internet grew, so did the competition. Internet Explorer soon surged ahead, at one point holding over 90% of the market share and becoming the default gateway to the online world. But as applications became more dynamic and interactive (with digital platforms like Gmail, Facebook and Google Maps), IE struggled to keep up. These apps ran slowly and fell short of expectations.&nbsp;Then, Chrome emerged. It wasn’t just incrementally better; it delivered 10 times the leap in performance for JavaScript-heavy applications. The improvement was undeniable. What seemed impossible — taking market share from IE — became inevitable, simply because Chrome made life 10 times better for the new internet experience.&nbsp;Fast forward to 2024, I joined Gen with a clear vision: Generative AI will redefine how consumers enter the digital world. Fittingly, my team has been working in the same office building where Netscape Navigator team made history, and it’s here that we’re carrying the torch to re-invent the browser for the AI era. &nbsp;<h2>Browsers Were Due for a Revolution. This is it. &nbsp;</h2>Today, we face a new, equally urgent pain point. The internet is no longer only a collection of websites. It’s a fragmented universe of emails, documents, messages, meetings, tabs and cloud and web services scattered across tabs and accounts. We’re drowning in information and switching contexts all day, yet struggling to get to what really matters fast.&nbsp;We don’t need more information. We need fewer barriers. Less friction. Less cognitive overhead. More clarity. More outcomes.&nbsp;It’s time for a new leap.&nbsp;

<h2>Introducing Norton Neo&nbsp;&nbsp;</h2>That leap begins with Norton Neo — the world’s first Safe AI-native browser.&nbsp;&nbsp;Norton Neo is built for a world where information is abundant, but focus is scarce. Where apps multiply, but time doesn’t. With Neo, AI works seamlessly within your browser — no app switching, no tab overload. Just a proactive assistant powered by ChatGPT-level intelligence you can trust.&nbsp;

Neo doesn’t just respond — it anticipates. &nbsp;Today’s launch is more than a new product. It’s a statement:&nbsp;That the browser, one of the most-used apps on every computer — is overdue for reinvention, and that meaningful innovation can come from an S&amp;P 500 company like Gen. Our goal here is simple: to build technology that helps people live more freely and confidently online. During this early access phase of Norton Neo, we’re excited to hear what people think — your feedback will help shape what Neo becomes. We’re listening, we’re learning and we’re focused on creating a smarter, safer digital world for everyone.&nbsp;This is just the beginning — not only of a new product, but a new category. Here’s what you can expect with Norton Neo in the future.&nbsp;<h2>A New Vision for the Way We Browse &nbsp;</h2>1. AI-Native: &nbsp;Empowering You Behind the Scenes&nbsp;Most AI tools today feel disjointed. You jump between apps. You paste prompts. You reword questions.&nbsp;Neo plans to change that.&nbsp;Neo will bring you the intelligence of ChatGPT — but no heavy prompts, no friction, no effort. It works in the background, offering proactive support when you need it.&nbsp;&nbsp;2. Reinventing Search: A Browser That Connects Your Entire Digital World&nbsp;&nbsp;The traditional browser searched the public web. The new browser searches and helps manage your entire digital world.&nbsp;Looking for a document you saw last week? Neo retrieves it. Need a meeting summary? It’s already parsed and ready to go. Why leave the tab open when your AI can remember and find everything for you? Why juggle 100 tabs like it’s still the last decade?&nbsp;&nbsp;This isn’t just about finding faster as Google Chrome has been doing it for more than a decade. It’s about discovering smarter. Neo turns chaos into clarity by being more proactive and more personalized.&nbsp;3. More Than a Browser but a Doer &nbsp;&nbsp;The next browser isn’t a tool. It’s a partner, an agent or a personal assistant. It can take action, finish tasks and bring you clarity. The more capable your AI, the more powerful your experience.&nbsp;Need to cancel a reservation, send a follow-up email or fill out a form? Neo handles it or prepares for you. &nbsp;&nbsp;From routine tasks to complex decisions, it’s the browser that works with you — quietly, intelligently and safely.&nbsp;&nbsp;It’s not just faster browsing; it’s smarter living.&nbsp;&nbsp;4. Built-in Protection from the Start&nbsp;Neo is built on Chromium, so it works with the extensions you already rely on. But what makes it different is what’s built in: always-on protection, free ad blocking and trusted safe browsing — all powered by Norton’s decades of security <a href="https://us.norton.com/" target="_blank" title="Norton.com">expertise</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;As AI becomes more powerful, trust matters more than ever for everyday people like you and me. That’s why Neo brings intelligence to your browser with protection built in from the very start. Backed by a brand known for putting people first, Neo is designed to help you explore what’s next with confidence. &nbsp;You don’t have to trade intelligence for security or speed for peace of mind. With Neo, smart is secure and your protection is always on.&nbsp;&nbsp;<h2>A Paradigm Shift in the Making&nbsp;</h2>Just like Netscape Navigator, Internet Explorer and Google Chrome defined their generations, Norton Neo is here to define the next one.&nbsp;This isn’t about another upgrade. This is about a complete reinvention of how you live and work online. A shift from reactive browsing to anticipatory companionship. From clutter and fragmentation to clarity and flow. From Information to Intelligence to Outcome.&nbsp;It’s about breaking down the barriers between you and your potential. It’s about trust, intelligence, simplicity — and yes, a little bit of magic.&nbsp;The age of reactive browsing is ending. The age of the browser ahead of you is just beginning.&nbsp;Learn more about the First Safe AI-native Browser here: <a href="https://neotoday.ai/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://neotoday.ai</a>. &nbsp;

Norton unveils the first safe AI-native browser, and a new era begins

Introducing Norton Neo: The browser ahead of you 

At Gen, we’re proud to power Digital Freedom for nearly 500 million users across the globe. And, we’re honored when our work is validated by independent industry leaders. &nbsp;In the latest round of cybersecurity evaluations, four of our trusted consumer brands — <a href="https://us.norton.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Norton</a>, <a href="https://www.avast.com/en-us/index#mac" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Avast</a>, <a href="https://www.avg.com/cs-cz/homepage#mac" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">AVG</a> and <a href="https://www.avira.com/?srsltid=AfmBOoq1PKTRVa8fU9H7uwShbCmNAHCkeBjDPP_gcKU_E17BJBeDpOdA" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Avira</a> — earned a total of 16 awards from the world’s top third-party testing institutions: <a href="https://www.av-comparatives.org/consumer/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">AV-Comparatives</a>, <a href="https://www.av-test.org/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">AV-Test</a> and <a href="https://avlab.pl/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">AVLab</a>.&nbsp;<h2>A Testament to Real-World Protection and Performance&nbsp;</h2>Independent testing labs assess products on their ability to defend against real threats, including day-to-day malware to sophisticated, emerging attacks. The awards we’ve received reflect excellence across core areas like:&nbsp;<ul><li>Real-world protection</li><li>Advanced threat defense</li><li>Malware detection</li><li>Response time and remediation</li><li>User protection across platforms—including MacOS&nbsp;</li></ul><h3>Here’s what the experts saw:&nbsp;</h3><ul><li>Cybersecurity Excellence Award 2025 — Gen</li><li>Top Rated Product — Avast, AVG</li><li>Gold for Real-World Protection — Avast, AVG, Avira</li><li>Bronze for Advanced Threat Defense — Avast, AVG</li><li>Best MacOS Security — Norton, Avast, AVG</li><li>Product of the Year, AVLab — Avast Free Antivirus</li><li>Top Remediation Time — Avast Free Antivirus</li><li>Outstanding Protection Against Fake Online Shops — Norton, Avast, AVG&nbsp;</li></ul>

<h2>Why it matters (to us, and to you)&nbsp;</h2>This work isn’t theoretical. It’s personal. We build tools that detect threats and protect against them,,helping protect what matters most — one click, one alert, one quiet block at a time.&nbsp;And when we earn recognition from AV-Test or AVLab — or take home the Cybersecurity Excellence Award for 2025 — that’s great. But we measure success in peace of mind. In protection that’s felt, not flashy. Leena Elias, our Chief Product Officer, said it best:&nbsp;“People trust us. These awards are just one more reason why.”&nbsp;Cyber threats continue to grow in complexity. From phishing and fake online shops to AI-powered scams and advanced malware. The stakes have never been higher. That’s why independent validation matters to the millions of people who rely on our products every day.&nbsp;

Norton, Avast, AVG, and Avira take home 16 awards from the industry’s toughest testing labs 

Gen brands recognized across independent cybersecurity tests 

Threat Research Team Lead

The clipboard is a simple yet essential feature we use daily to copy and paste text, links, and other content. But what if this convenience turned into a cybersecurity risk? Cybercriminals have discovered ways to exploit this feature, making it a target for a range of sophisticated attacks.&nbsp;At Gen, we are committed to staying ahead of these threats. That’s why we’ve introduced a powerful clipboard protection feature in our antivirus stack. Now part of Norton, Avast and AVG, this feature proactively protects millions of users against threats like ClickFix and FakeCaptcha,&nbsp;all without requiring any action from our customers.<h2>How Clipboard Attacks Work</h2>Cybercriminals have developed sophisticated ways to manipulate the clipboard, often hiding their malicious intent in plain sight. Here’s how they do it:<ul><li>Exploiting Familiarity: Clipboard attacks rely on users’ comfort with copying and pasting, tricking them into pasting harmful scripts or links into their systems. Our new clipboard protection feature directly addresses this attack vector by scanning the clipboard content whenever something is copied from a webpage.</li><li>Swapping Clipboard Content: Some malware, like clippers, replaces copied data with malicious content, such as fraudulent payment addresses or harmful commands.</li><li>Stealing Sensitive Data: Infostealers monitor clipboard activity, capturing valuable information like passwords or credit card numbers.</li></ul>By focusing on the first attack type, clipboard protection adds a crucial layer of defense to safeguard users during online interactions.<h2>Real-World Threats: ClickFix and FakeCaptcha</h2>Two of the most widespread clipboard-based attacks we’ve observed are ClickFix and FakeCaptcha. Both of these mislead users into copying a script to their clipboard and pasting it into a PowerShell terminal or a Run prompt, executing it.<ul><li>ClickFix: This malware tricks users into copying and executing malicious scripts, often disguised as fixes or solutions to technical issues.</li></ul>

<ul><li>FakeCaptcha: A variant of ClickFix, this threat uses familiar CAPTCHA designs—like those seen with Cloudflare’s reCAPTCHA prompt—to deceive users into copying and pasting harmful code.</li></ul>

One common technique involves prompting users to paste the copied command into the Windows Run dialog. However, the malicious part of the command remains hidden, and the user only sees a benign-looking message like "Verify you are human," masking the underlying threat:

<h2>Introducing Clipboard Protection</h2>To combat clipboard-based threats, we’ve added a new layer of defense to our antivirus stack. Here’s how it works:<ul><li>Automatic Scanning: The feature activates whenever a clipboard manipulation occurs on a website, scanning the content for malicious elements.</li><li>Part of Script Shield: This functionality is integrated within the Script Shield component of our antivirus software.</li><li>Browser Support: Compatible with Chrome and Edge, covering over 70% of the browser market, and we’re committed to adding support for more browsers to enhance user security.</li><li>No User Action Needed: Delivered through regular engine updates, ensuring all customers have the latest protection without lifting a finger.&nbsp;</li></ul>These clipboard-based attacks like ClickFix and FakeCaptcha have become one of the most prevalent attacks happening nowadays. We have earlier detection layers blocking millions of attacks, but this new protection goes beyond and serves as a safety net, catching threats that evade other detection methods.This clipboard protection feature isn’t just for today’s threats—it’s designed to adapt. If cybercriminals develop new techniques tomorrow, this agnostic protection layer will continue to safeguard our customers.It also helps us refine our detection strategies, enabling faster and more efficient responses to emerging threats.The following heatmap showcases the global impact of Gen's clipboard protection, highlighting regions where the feature has successfully thwarted attacks. This visualization underscores the widespread prevalence of clipboard-based threats and the importance of having robust security measures in place.

The screenshot below shows how Gen's clipboard protection actively safeguards users against clipboard-based attacks. In this instance, Avast identified and blocked a malicious script copied to clipboard on a webpage, attempting to deliver malware through clipboard manipulation. The alert highlights our solution's proactive approach, ensuring users are protected in real-time before harm can occur.

<h2>Tips for Staying Safe</h2>While clipboard protection adds a robust layer of security, users should remain vigilant:<ol><li>Keep Antivirus Up to Date: Regular updates ensure the latest protections are in place.</li><li>Be Aware: Recognize and avoid threats like ClickFix and FakeCaptcha.</li><li>Avoid Untrusted Software: Never execute scripts or code from unknown sources.</li><li>Spread Awareness: Share knowledge about these threats with family, friends, and colleagues.</li></ol><h2>Protecting Millions Without Lifting a Finger</h2>With clipboard protection now part of the Gen antivirus stack, we’re not just meeting today’s threats; we’re anticipating tomorrow’s. This isn’t about updates; it’s about an unwavering commitment to progress, delivered without disruption. At Gen, we lead with innovation, ensuring that as cybercriminals adapt, we stay steps ahead—so you can navigate the digital world with confidence, knowing your security is our mission.

How Our Clipboard Protection Defends Against Growing Cyberthreats

Clipboard protection: Our latest defense against evolving threats

<h2>LifeLock takes identity theft monitoring very seriously, because members depend on it</h2>In today’s digital age, where personal information is as valuable as currency, choosing the right identity protection service is crucial. Gen knows that it's not just about offering a service – it's about delivering a comprehensive peace of mind. <a href="https://lifelock.norton.com">LifeLock </a>is a leader in identity theft protection in the U.S. and part of Gen, a global company dedicated to powering Digital Freedom with a family of trusted consumer brands. Millions of customers trust LifeLock to help protect their identities. With LifeLock, our dedication to protecting our members’ identities goes beyond standard measures, setting us apart in a market where trust and expertise are essential.&nbsp;<h2>How LifeLock stands out&nbsp;&nbsp;</h2>Since the beginning of 2005, LifeLock has been at the forefront of identity protection. We offer tailored solutions for everyone to fit diverse budgets protection needs.&nbsp; &nbsp;The fact is, LifeLock monitoring goes far beyond alerts for suspicious transactions, offering broader monitoring services that other companies don’t. &nbsp;<ul><li>Monitoring More: We monitor more than just your credit card numbers; we keep a close watch on your social security number and social media accounts—key targets for identity thieves attempting tax fraud and <a href="https://lifelock.norton.com/learn/identity-theft-resources/synthetic-identity-theft" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">synthetic identity theft</a>.&nbsp;</li><li>Unlimited Device Protection: Unlike our competitors, we offer protection for an unlimited number of devices, ensuring comprehensive coverage for all your devices. &nbsp;</li><li>Investment Account Surveillance: Our eye on your 401K and other investment accounts alerts you to any unauthorized transactions, protecting financial accounts you might not check every day.&nbsp;</li><li>Up to <a href="https://lifelock.norton.com/offers" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">$3 Million in Coverage</a>: For maximum security, our premium plans offer up to $3 million in protection, covering personal and legal costs if you ever fall victim to fraud.&nbsp;</li></ul><h2>The rising threat of identity theft&nbsp;</h2>The threat landscape is evolving. More than <a href="https://www.fool.com/the-ascent/research/identity-theft-credit-card-fraud-statistics/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">800,000 instances of identity theft</a> were reported in just the first nine months of 2023. Credit card theft made up of 318,087 of these cases, and synthetic fraud—where scammers use stolen social security numbers and birthdays to create false identities—led to a staggering $1.8 billion in losses in the first half of 2023 alone. These alarming statistics highlight the need for robust, proactive identity protection.&nbsp;&nbsp;The number of potential incidents will only increase as our work and personal lives become more intertwined with online services. The vast amount of personal data we share creates a broad attack surface for malicious actors. Every digital footprint—from social media posts to online purchases—leaves exploitable traces.&nbsp;&nbsp;<h2>Recovery specialists at the core of LifeLock&nbsp;</h2>The strength of LifeLock comes from our people, particularly in crisis management. Our <a href="https://support.norton.com/sp/en/us/home/current/solutions/v134999418" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Identity Restoration Specialists</a> are central to our commitment, working relentlessly as your personal agent to restore your identity fully.&nbsp;&nbsp;When the worst happens, a LifeLock member’s case isn’t just a digital file shuffled from person to person. Support Specialists become personal representatives until your situation is resolved. Whether it’s advising members of their options, coordinating with legal representatives or connecting with the businesses, banks and government agencies for months on end, our dedicated recovery team sets LifeLock apart in the marketplace. &nbsp;Our Promise: Evolving Protection in a Competitive Market&nbsp;In a competitive field, we view every challenge as an opportunity to improve our services. LifeLock is more than a service; it's a promise to continually evolve, adapting to new threats and ensuring our members are protected at every turn.&nbsp;Choosing LifeLock means choosing a partner in your digital security. Our comprehensive, feature-rich solutions are designed with both security and flexibility mind. From extensive account monitoring to our dedicated specialists, every aspect of LifeLock is designed to provide not just protection, but a shield against the ever-evolving landscape of identity threats.&nbsp;How can we help you find the right plan to safeguard your identity? <a href="https://lifelock.norton.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Learn more</a>.&nbsp;

LifeLock is committed to the comprehensive protection of members—a promise that’s been held for more than a decade.

LifeLock: Setting the Standard in Identity Security

Corporate Communications Intern

As a part of the Gen family of brands, Norton is committed to empowering individuals and families to navigate the complexities of today’s digital landscape. The back-to-school season brings renewed focus on the evolving role of technology in education, and a recent Norton survey underscores a significant concern for parents: the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the classroom. While perspectives on AI vary, an overwhelming 93% of parents with children aged 5 and up express worry about how AI is being integrated into their kids’ school experience.

AI is no longer a distant future concept—it's embedded in the tools and platforms students use daily. As AI becomes increasingly prevalent, it’s not just about adapting to new technologies but also about understanding and leading the conversation on how these technologies can be used ethically and responsibly. Rather than shielding children from AI, it’s crucial to equip them with the knowledge and skills to navigate and utilize AI for future success.<h3>The Role of AI in Shaping Education</h3>AI has the potential to revolutionize education by personalizing learning experiences, automating administrative tasks and providing valuable insights into student performance. However, with these advancements come new challenges, particularly concerning privacy, data security and ethical use. As thought leaders in cybersecurity, we at Norton and Gen believe that fostering a balanced and informed perspective on AI is essential. It’s not just about staying safe — it's about leading with integrity in a world where AI is reshaping every aspect of our lives.

<h3>How to Stay Safe and Informed with AI</h3>Protect Personal Information: Educate your children on safeguarding their personal information, especially when interacting with AI platforms or chatbots. Understanding the implications of sharing data is the first step in responsible AI use.Verify Website Safety and Use a VPN: Ensure that you and your children check browser connections and URLs to verify site security, particularly when accessing AI tools or platforms. Using a VPN adds an extra layer of protection, keeping your online activities private and secure.Enable Age-Appropriate Settings: AI tools offer various settings designed for different age groups. Make sure your family is set up for success by configuring these settings and using parental controls to monitor and manage your child’s online activities.Promote Ethical Use: Beyond technical safety, it’s crucial to instill values of integrity and ethical practices in children when using AI. Parents and teachers play a pivotal role in guiding students on how to use AI responsibly and with respect for others.<h3>Resources to Explore</h3><ul><li><a href="https://us.norton.com/products/norton-360">Norton 360 with LifeLock</a>: Provides comprehensive protection, including antivirus, malware, ransomware, and identity theft protection, to keep your children’s personal information secure.</li><li><a href="https://us.norton.com/products/norton-vpn">Norton Ultra VPN</a>: Enhances online security with features like password management and alerts, offering real-time protection against scammers.</li><li><a href="https://us.norton.com/feature/parental-control">Norton Parental Control</a>: Helps parents manage and monitor their children’s online activities, ensuring safe interactions with AI platforms.</li><li><a href="https://thesmarttalk.org/">The Smart Talk by National PTA and Norton</a>: This resource is designed to encourage conversations about responsible digital citizenship and ethical AI use within families.</li></ul>By staying informed and leveraging the tools and resources available, parents can help their children not only embrace the benefits of AI but also lead the way in using it safely and ethically. At Gen, through our Norton brand, we are dedicated to supporting families as they navigate this new frontier in education.

Strategies and tools from Norton to protect your kids and teach them ethical AI use as schools embrace new technologies

The Future of Learning: How Parents Can Lead in the Age of AI

A Gen study reveals that 58% of Americans and British surveyed believed they could be vulnerable to cybercrime. &nbsp;The truth is, as the nature of technology transforms, so does the advancement of crime. Cybercrimes are more unique and increasingly sophisticated. They range from hacking, phishing, malware and ransomware – all to access, steal or damage sensitive, personal data, disrupt digital systems or extort money. The offenses go on and on. And, still, these crimes differ in techniques, discovery times and victims. &nbsp;But the reality is this: you're probably already at risk. &nbsp;With <a href="https://lifelock.norton.com/learn/data-breaches/att-data-breach-2024?om_ext_cid=ext_social-_-Twitter-_-Rapid%20Response-_-Trending%20News-_-Current%20Events">company breaches</a> happening more frequently, hackers breaking into private accounts and even <a href="https://us.norton.com/blog/online-scams/how-to-stop-spam-texts">message</a> scams, cybercrime is no longer the distant threat it once was.  &nbsp;Nearly half of people (45%) think cybercrime won't happen to them, leading to only 50% having any form of cybersecurity installed. Many people who chose not to find Cyber Safety protection ultimately paid the price. We did our research to find out just how costly it was.  &nbsp;

<h2>Looking at the Psychological Costs of Cybercrime&nbsp;</h2>Crimes of all types leave a lasting scar on their victims. Whether cybercrime or more conventional, the impact cuts deep. &nbsp;Being the victim of a cyber-attack is a traumatic experience, and will elicit a cognitive, emotional and psychological response. Monitoring an individual’s brain activity has the potential to reveal changes in neural activity. And we wanted to bring those emotions and psychological reactions to life visually. &nbsp;How? We monitored <a href="https://www.gendigital.com/us/en/scam-artists/">three victims of cybercrimes</a> with Electroencephalography (EEG) headsets. The headsets look deeper into our brains to demonstrate brain reactions to specific topics, events or experiences.  &nbsp;What was the outcome? Scam artists. The artwork below showcases the emotional reaction to the feeling of a cyberattack. Of the respondents who had suffered a cyberattack, anger and stress were the top two emotions felt – and for obvious reasons.&nbsp;<h2>Revealing Internalized Emotions &nbsp;</h2>Business Scam Victim&nbsp;&nbsp; The owner of <a href="https://franksremedies.com">Frank's Remedies</a>, Kyle Frank, faced a phishing scam — one of the most common tactics cybercriminals use. Hackers broke into his PayPal account, threatening his business's financial stability. Read more about <a href="https://us.norton.com/blog/online-scams/business-owner-phishing-story">Kyle's story</a> on the Norton blog and learn how to protect yourself from similar threats.&nbsp;

Identity Theft Victim &nbsp; Personal finance expert <a href="https://www.mrsmummypenny.co.uk/">Lynn Beattie</a>, endured distress when hackers obtained her home address and set up a credit account in her name, ordering over £3,000 worth of merchandise using just her name, address and date of birth. Read more about <a href="https://lifelock.norton.com/learn/identity-theft-resources/identity-theft-victim">Lynn's story</a> and learn essential protection measures to keep your identity safe on the Norton LifeLock blog.&nbsp;

Scam Victim&nbsp; Journalist Moya Crockett, encountered an elaborate scam known as automatic push payment (APP) or impersonation fraud. Scammers contacted her, pretending to be a fraud prevention team, after sending phishing texts to make it seem like her account was compromised. They then drained her account. Read more on the Norton blog to learn the full details of <a href="https://us.norton.com/blog/online-scams/moya-scam-story">Moya's story</a> and discover how to safeguard yourself and your information.

Despite the differences in the attacks they faced, Kyle, Lynn and Moya all experienced the same emotional turmoil. Not only did they face similar emotions, but their experiences also highlighted how diverse and advanced scams have become, emphasizing that anyone is vulnerable to cyberattacks.  &nbsp;We connected with award-winning psychologist Lee Chambers to shine a light on the inherent human instincts that often result in complacent behavior when it comes to digital safety. &nbsp;“Overall, we can see that being a victim of a cyber-attack and having information breached resulted in a cognitive, psychological and emotional impact on the participants, and recalling their experience has highlighted suppression and prominence of their brain waves. These effects can potentially be long lasting, especially when the scams are intricate, enduring or have a significant life impact,” said Chambers. “And this is why digital literacy and having the right cyber protection in place can mitigate the risk of facing these scenarios and the emotional load they come with.” &nbsp;<h2>A High Price to Pay  &nbsp;</h2>Victims of cybercrime often spend countless hours remediating the damage caused by attacks, including resetting passwords, canceling credit cards and disputing fraudulent charges. This lost time can have significant personal and professional consequences, impacting productivity, relationships and, of course, overall well-being. The psychological and emotional toll on victims is one of the most devastating indirect costs, as exemplified by Kyle, Lynn and Moya's experiences. &nbsp;“Despite knowing I wasn’t the only victim out there, I felt terribly ashamed. And that shame, combined with the shock of losing my life savings, quickly curdled into something very cold and dark,” said Moya.&nbsp;<h2>Creating Smarter Digital Citizens in The Face of Growing Threats  &nbsp;</h2>“Cyber threats today are bigger, more pervasive and more sophisticated than ever before, and they are here to stay,” said Leena Elias, Chief Product Officer. “In fact, during our last fiscal year, Gen blocked more than 14 billion attacks. We’re focused on helping people feel confident engaging with the digital world with our products that protect against evolving and emerging threats.”  &nbsp;Cybercrime is not a static entity; it is constantly evolving, with perpetrators devising increasingly sophisticated methods to exploit vulnerabilities and compromise unsuspecting individuals and organizations. This ever-changing landscape underscores the need for continuous vigilance and adaptation.  &nbsp;Personal responsibility and proactive measures are essential safeguards. Gen considers part of our responsibility in the marketplace is not just to protect consumers, but to inform them as well.   &nbsp;Victims like Kyle, Lynn and Moya highlight the diverse and sophisticated nature of cyber threats. From phishing scams to identity theft and impersonation fraud, these incidents demonstrate that cybercrime can impact anyone.&nbsp;<h2>Blocking Crime on The Global Scale  &nbsp;</h2>Cybercrime is a borderless threat, and its consequences transcend national boundaries. Addressing this global challenge requires a shared commitment to improving cybersecurity across the globe.  &nbsp;By empowering ourselves with knowledge, adopting secure practices and investing in cutting-edge solutions, we can create a more secure digital world and mitigate the devastating impact of cybercrime on our lives and economies. Together, we can make a difference and protect individuals like Moya, Lynn and Kyle from falling victim to these threats. &nbsp;