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    <channel><title>Consumer Insights</title><description>News, views and insights from the Bitdefender experts</description><link>https://www.bitdefender.com/en-au/blog/hotforsecurity/</link><image><url>https://download.bitdefender.com/resources/images/favicon/favicon-32x32.png</url><title>Consumer Insights</title><link>https://www.bitdefender.com/en-au/blog/hotforsecurity/</link></image><generator>Bitdefender Blog</generator><lastBuildDate>Fri, 13 Mar 2026 01:59:59 GMT</lastBuildDate><atom:link href="https://www.bitdefender.com/nuxt/api/en-au/rss/hotforsecurity/product-updates/" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml"/><ttl>1800</ttl><item><title>Why We Built a Free Reverse Phone Lookup Tool and How Our New AI Innovations Help Us Stay Ahead of Scammers</title><description><![CDATA[Phone scams are hitting consumers harder than ever. Unwanted calls aren’t just a nuisance anymore – they’ve become a leading entry point for fraud, costing consumers time, money and peace of mind.

According to recent stats, the scale of the problem is massive:

 * In 2025, 53% of fraud attempts globally began with a phone call, according to GASA’s Global State of Scams Report
 * The 2025 Bitdefender Consumer Cybersecurity Survey shows 25.7% of scam victims were targeted in a phone call, just ah]]></description><link>https://www.bitdefender.com/en-au/blog/hotforsecurity/why-we-built-a-free-reverse-phone-lookup-tool-and-how-our-new-ai-innovations-help-us-stay-ahead-of-scammers</link><guid isPermaLink="false">693a8c1f61720986fd7f4cf2</guid><category><![CDATA[Product Updates]]></category><category><![CDATA[Mobile Security]]></category><dc:creator>Alina BÎZGĂ</dc:creator><pubDate>Mon, 09 Feb 2026 08:00:00 GMT</pubDate><media:content url="https://blogapp.bitdefender.com/hotforsecurity/content/images/2025/12/Why-We-Built-a-Free-Reverse-Phone-Lookup-Tool-and-How-Our-New-AI-Innovations-Help-Us-Stay-Ahead-of-Scammers.png" medium="image"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[Phone scams are hitting consumers harder than ever. Unwanted calls aren’t just a nuisance anymore – they’ve become a leading entry point for fraud, costing consumers time, money and peace of mind.

According to recent stats, the scale of the problem is massive:

 * In 2025, 53% of fraud attempts globally began with a phone call, according to GASA’s Global State of Scams Report
 * The 2025 Bitdefender Consumer Cybersecurity Survey shows 25.7% of scam victims were targeted in a phone call, just ah]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Block the Scam: Bitdefender’s New Call Protection Feature for Android Puts You in Control</title><description><![CDATA[Scammers love phones. A lot! In fact, in 2023 alone, phone scams led to over $25.4 billion in losses, affecting 21% of Americans, or more than 56 million people, according to a report by Truecaller.  FYI, the trend hasn’t slowed down.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) ranks phone calls as the second-most-common contact method for fraud in 2024. Even worse, these scams had the highest per-person financial loss, with a median of $1,500 per victim.

At Bitdefender, we believe scam-free living sta]]></description><link>https://www.bitdefender.com/en-au/blog/hotforsecurity/block-the-scam-bitdefenders-new-call-protection-feature-for-android-puts-you-in-control</link><guid isPermaLink="false">684ab29afd8b21e92e182374</guid><category><![CDATA[Product Updates]]></category><category><![CDATA[Mobile Security]]></category><dc:creator>Alina BÎZGĂ</dc:creator><pubDate>Mon, 30 Jun 2025 08:34:06 GMT</pubDate><media:content url="https://blogapp.bitdefender.com/hotforsecurity/content/images/2025/06/BD-articol-Call-Blocking_1200x630-2.jpg" medium="image"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[Scammers love phones. A lot! In fact, in 2023 alone, phone scams led to over $25.4 billion in losses, affecting 21% of Americans, or more than 56 million people, according to a report by Truecaller.  FYI, the trend hasn’t slowed down.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) ranks phone calls as the second-most-common contact method for fraud in 2024. Even worse, these scams had the highest per-person financial loss, with a median of $1,500 per victim.

At Bitdefender, we believe scam-free living sta]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>This Scam Copilot Online Scam Protection Feature is Changing the Fight Against Digital Fraud</title><description><![CDATA[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 breakin]]></description><link>https://www.bitdefender.com/en-au/blog/hotforsecurity/this-scam-copilot-online-scam-protection-feature-is-changing-the-fight-against-digital-fraud</link><guid isPermaLink="false">67474c294f9eb604ffdd1fb5</guid><category><![CDATA[Product Updates]]></category><dc:creator>Bitdefender</dc:creator><pubDate>Thu, 28 Nov 2024 09:31:12 GMT</pubDate><media:content url="https://blogapp.bitdefender.com/hotforsecurity/content/images/2024/11/SC-online-1200x628-EN.png" medium="image"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[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 breakin]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Remote Access Scam Prevention – Your Trusted Anti-Scam AI Companion</title><description><![CDATA[The phrase “remote access tool” became a household term during the pandemic, as businesses and individuals relied on these solutions to manage devices and troubleshoot issues. However, these same tools are now being weaponized in sophisticated scams targeting unsuspecting users.

The newly launched Scam Copilot feature in select Bitdefender products introduces a groundbreaking Remote Access Protection feature that tackles the rising threat of remote access scams with timely alerts and proactive ]]></description><link>https://www.bitdefender.com/en-au/blog/hotforsecurity/remote-access-scam-prevention-your-trusted-anti-scam-ai-companion</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6740aca869d0f4053d05c771</guid><category><![CDATA[Product Updates]]></category><dc:creator>Bitdefender</dc:creator><pubDate>Fri, 22 Nov 2024 16:15:05 GMT</pubDate><media:content url="https://blogapp.bitdefender.com/hotforsecurity/content/images/2024/11/SC-remote-1200x628-EN4.png" medium="image"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[The phrase “remote access tool” became a household term during the pandemic, as businesses and individuals relied on these solutions to manage devices and troubleshoot issues. However, these same tools are now being weaponized in sophisticated scams targeting unsuspecting users.

The newly launched Scam Copilot feature in select Bitdefender products introduces a groundbreaking Remote Access Protection feature that tackles the rising threat of remote access scams with timely alerts and proactive ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Scam Copilot Chatbot: Your AI-Powered Ally Against the Growing Threat of Online Scams</title><description><![CDATA[For the past two years, scams have been constantly on the rise. Fueled by large language models and other AI-based technologies, they have become more prevalent and sophisticated than ever. Recent data shows that 25.5% of the global population has been defrauded, with losses surpassing a staggering $1.026 trillion – and that’s only as much as got reported. The scale of the problem is daunting – A Global Anti-Scam Alliance survey in 2023 on more than 49k respondents from 43 countries shows that 7]]></description><link>https://www.bitdefender.com/en-au/blog/hotforsecurity/scam-copilot-chatbot-your-ai-powered-ally-against-the-growing-threat-of-online-scams</link><guid isPermaLink="false">673f064369d0f4053d05c623</guid><category><![CDATA[Product Updates]]></category><dc:creator>Bitdefender</dc:creator><pubDate>Thu, 21 Nov 2024 10:12:19 GMT</pubDate><media:content url="https://blogapp.bitdefender.com/hotforsecurity/content/images/2024/11/SC-chatbot-1200x628-EN-copy.png" medium="image"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[For the past two years, scams have been constantly on the rise. Fueled by large language models and other AI-based technologies, they have become more prevalent and sophisticated than ever. Recent data shows that 25.5% of the global population has been defrauded, with losses surpassing a staggering $1.026 trillion – and that’s only as much as got reported. The scale of the problem is daunting – A Global Anti-Scam Alliance survey in 2023 on more than 49k respondents from 43 countries shows that 7]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Scam Wave Alerts Are Your Digital Early Warning System Against the Rising Tide of Scams</title><description><![CDATA[When a natural disaster looms—be it a hurricane, earthquake, or flood—early warning systems spring into action, providing essential alerts to help people take protective measures. These systems work by tracking and detecting early signs of danger, enabling those in harm’s way to prepare, evacuate, or find shelter. The Scam Wave Alerts feature in Scam Copilot works much like these disaster warning systems, helping to safeguard users against sudden surges of online scams.


Why does this matter?

]]></description><link>https://www.bitdefender.com/en-au/blog/hotforsecurity/scam-wave-alerts-are-your-digital-early-warning-system-against-the-rising-tide-of-scams</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6735e0e869d0f4053d05c0ca</guid><category><![CDATA[Product Updates]]></category><dc:creator>Bitdefender</dc:creator><pubDate>Thu, 14 Nov 2024 11:53:58 GMT</pubDate><media:content url="https://blogapp.bitdefender.com/hotforsecurity/content/images/2024/11/SC-wave-1200x628-EN-copy-2.png" medium="image"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[When a natural disaster looms—be it a hurricane, earthquake, or flood—early warning systems spring into action, providing essential alerts to help people take protective measures. These systems work by tracking and detecting early signs of danger, enabling those in harm’s way to prepare, evacuate, or find shelter. The Scam Wave Alerts feature in Scam Copilot works much like these disaster warning systems, helping to safeguard users against sudden surges of online scams.


Why does this matter?

]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Bitdefender Scamio Is Now On Discord to Help You and Your Community Fend Off The Most Pervasive Scams</title><description><![CDATA[With over 200 million active users per month, Discord has grown into a bustling hub for online communities, from gaming groups to social spaces and everything in between. As Discord's popularity grows, so does its appeal to scammers who want to exploit its user base.

Recent findings from a six-month Bitdefender analysis revealed that our Chat Protection system intercepted thousands of malicious URLs on Discord, including phishing links to harvest login credentials, fake giveaways and impersonat]]></description><link>https://www.bitdefender.com/en-au/blog/hotforsecurity/bitdefender-scamio-is-now-on-discord</link><guid isPermaLink="false">670fb61269d0f4053d05ad87</guid><category><![CDATA[Product Updates]]></category><category><![CDATA[Industry News]]></category><category><![CDATA[Scam]]></category><dc:creator>Alina BÎZGĂ</dc:creator><pubDate>Thu, 24 Oct 2024 09:00:08 GMT</pubDate><media:content url="https://blogapp.bitdefender.com/hotforsecurity/content/images/2024/10/Scamio_Discord_1200x628--1-.jpg" medium="image"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[With over 200 million active users per month, Discord has grown into a bustling hub for online communities, from gaming groups to social spaces and everything in between. As Discord's popularity grows, so does its appeal to scammers who want to exploit its user base.

Recent findings from a six-month Bitdefender analysis revealed that our Chat Protection system intercepted thousands of malicious URLs on Discord, including phishing links to harvest login credentials, fake giveaways and impersonat]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Introducing the New Scam Protection: AI-Powered Protection Across Devices</title><description><![CDATA[Online scams have become a global epidemic, with scammers defrauding an astonishing $1.026 trillion in 2023 alone. Approximately one in four people has fallen victim to scams, and the threat continues to grow. 

Today, we’re excited to announce the launch of  Scam Protection, an advanced, AI-powered platform designed to detect and defend against the latest scams. This update includes cutting-edge features tailored to meet the evolving challenges in online security, offering seamless protection a]]></description><link>https://www.bitdefender.com/en-au/blog/hotforsecurity/introducing-the-new-scam-copilot-ai-powered-protection-across-devices</link><guid isPermaLink="false">66fbebaf69d0f4053d05a7a5</guid><category><![CDATA[Product Updates]]></category><dc:creator>Bitdefender</dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 15 Oct 2024 13:15:00 GMT</pubDate><media:content url="https://blogapp.bitdefender.com/hotforsecurity/content/images/2024/10/SC3-1200x628.png" medium="image"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[Online scams have become a global epidemic, with scammers defrauding an astonishing $1.026 trillion in 2023 alone. Approximately one in four people has fallen victim to scams, and the threat continues to grow. 

Today, we’re excited to announce the launch of  Scam Protection, an advanced, AI-powered platform designed to detect and defend against the latest scams. This update includes cutting-edge features tailored to meet the evolving challenges in online security, offering seamless protection a]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Defenders of your digital life: Protect and manage the digital you with the new and improved Digital Identity Protection service</title><description><![CDATA[Every netizen holds a digital representation of who they are - or, better said, a digital footprint that acts as an extension of our real selves in the online world.

From usernames and passwords to browsing data and even medical history, a digital presence can consist of thousands of details and identifiers that, once exposed, can leave people vulnerable to online scammers and identity theft crimes.

Enter the new and improved Bitdefender Digital Identity Protection service that shines a light ]]></description><link>https://www.bitdefender.com/en-au/blog/hotforsecurity/defenders-of-your-digital-life-protect-and-manage-the-digital-you-with-the-new-and-improved-digital-identity-protection-service</link><guid isPermaLink="false">66f50fd328045a04f10d134e</guid><category><![CDATA[Product Updates]]></category><category><![CDATA[Digital Privacy]]></category><dc:creator>Alina BÎZGĂ</dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 02 Apr 2024 07:12:56 GMT</pubDate><media:content url="https://blogapp.bitdefender.com/hotforsecurity/content/images/2024/05/DIP-1200x628-EN--1--4.png" medium="image"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[Every netizen holds a digital representation of who they are - or, better said, a digital footprint that acts as an extension of our real selves in the online world.

From usernames and passwords to browsing data and even medical history, a digital presence can consist of thousands of details and identifiers that, once exposed, can leave people vulnerable to online scammers and identity theft crimes.

Enter the new and improved Bitdefender Digital Identity Protection service that shines a light ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Guarding Your Digital Frontier: Introducing Cryptomining Protection</title><description><![CDATA[In our digital age, safeguarding our online identity is of the utmost importance. The ever-expanding digital domain has come to include our private data, sensitive documents, online behavior and, more recently, digital assets in the form of cryptocurrency.

With the advent of cryptomoney, a relatively new cyber threat has emerged – cryptojacking, in the form of cryptomining malware. This malware strain piggybacks on your device’s processing power to mine cryptocurrency without your knowledge, ta]]></description><link>https://www.bitdefender.com/en-au/blog/hotforsecurity/guarding-your-digital-frontier-introducing-cryptomining-protection</link><guid isPermaLink="false">66f50fd328045a04f10d12d3</guid><category><![CDATA[Industry News]]></category><category><![CDATA[Product Updates]]></category><dc:creator>Vlad CONSTANTINESCU</dc:creator><pubDate>Mon, 26 Feb 2024 15:06:00 GMT</pubDate><media:content url="https://blogapp.bitdefender.com/hotforsecurity/content/images/2024/06/Crypto-1200x628-EN-1.png" medium="image"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[In our digital age, safeguarding our online identity is of the utmost importance. The ever-expanding digital domain has come to include our private data, sensitive documents, online behavior and, more recently, digital assets in the form of cryptocurrency.

With the advent of cryptomoney, a relatively new cyber threat has emerged – cryptojacking, in the form of cryptomining malware. This malware strain piggybacks on your device’s processing power to mine cryptocurrency without your knowledge, ta]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Bitdefender Adds Free Email Protection for Gmail and Outlook Accounts to Its Security Solutions</title><description><![CDATA[Bitdefender has added a new layer of defense in its security solutions, called Email Protection, that directly integrates with Gmail and Outlook webmail services, clarifying to users which email is dangerous or safe.

Bitdefender continues to innovate and find new ways of combating cybercrime to its relentless fight against scams, which are driven mainly by malicious emails and messages. Email Protection follows up two of its recently released features, Scam Alert and App Anomaly Detection, to h]]></description><link>https://www.bitdefender.com/en-au/blog/hotforsecurity/bitdefender-adds-free-email-protection-for-gmail-and-outlook-accounts-to-its-security-solutions</link><guid isPermaLink="false">66f50fd328045a04f10d1287</guid><category><![CDATA[Product Updates]]></category><dc:creator>Silviu STAHIE</dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 06 Feb 2024 08:56:42 GMT</pubDate><media:content url="https://blogapp.bitdefender.com/hotforsecurity/content/images/2024/02/AdobeStock_629383270.jpeg" medium="image"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[Bitdefender has added a new layer of defense in its security solutions, called Email Protection, that directly integrates with Gmail and Outlook webmail services, clarifying to users which email is dangerous or safe.

Bitdefender continues to innovate and find new ways of combating cybercrime to its relentless fight against scams, which are driven mainly by malicious emails and messages. Email Protection follows up two of its recently released features, Scam Alert and App Anomaly Detection, to h]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Bitdefender Adds ‘Averted Impact’ to Mobile Security to Teach Users about Real Consequences of Installing Malware</title><description><![CDATA[Bitdefender has introduced the industry-first feature “Averted Impact” to Bitdefender Mobile Security for Android to show how a malware infection would affect users if the security solution weren’t there to protect them.

Knowledge is power. One of the best tools to keep users safe is to information. In this way, they’re less likely to click on links, open attachments, or install malicious apps. Knowledge and a powerful security solution make for the best possible defense.

One goal of a securit]]></description><link>https://www.bitdefender.com/en-au/blog/hotforsecurity/bitdefender-adds-averted-impact-to-mobile-security-to-teach-users-about-real-consequences-of-installing-malware</link><guid isPermaLink="false">66f50fd328045a04f10d1250</guid><category><![CDATA[Product Updates]]></category><dc:creator>Silviu STAHIE</dc:creator><pubDate>Thu, 18 Jan 2024 11:45:25 GMT</pubDate><media:content url="https://blogapp.bitdefender.com/hotforsecurity/content/images/2024/02/elevate-blog.png" medium="image"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[Bitdefender has introduced the industry-first feature “Averted Impact” to Bitdefender Mobile Security for Android to show how a malware infection would affect users if the security solution weren’t there to protect them.

Knowledge is power. One of the best tools to keep users safe is to information. In this way, they’re less likely to click on links, open attachments, or install malicious apps. Knowledge and a powerful security solution make for the best possible defense.

One goal of a securit]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Introducing Scamio: Complimentary Scam Detector and Prevention Service From Bitdefender</title><description><![CDATA[Scams. They’re everywhere, and millions of individuals fall for them every year. Besides inflicting billion-dollar losses, online scams threaten users’ privacy, identity and overall wellbeing.

Scammers are getting better at tricking individuals into giving away personal info, credentials, and money too. They are quick on their feet and adapt to the latest trends, employ multiple social engineering tricks, and wield technological advancements (including AI) to manipulate and deceive victims.


O]]></description><link>https://www.bitdefender.com/en-au/blog/hotforsecurity/introducing-scamio-complimentary-scam-detector-and-prevention-service-from-bitdefender</link><guid isPermaLink="false">66f50fd328045a04f10d11ec</guid><category><![CDATA[Product Updates]]></category><category><![CDATA[Protecting Your Important]]></category><dc:creator>Alina BÎZGĂ</dc:creator><pubDate>Thu, 14 Dec 2023 14:03:00 GMT</pubDate><media:content url="https://blogapp.bitdefender.com/hotforsecurity/content/images/2023/12/BD-Scamio-1200x628_Blog-article_v4_1.jpg" medium="image"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[Scams. They’re everywhere, and millions of individuals fall for them every year. Besides inflicting billion-dollar losses, online scams threaten users’ privacy, identity and overall wellbeing.

Scammers are getting better at tricking individuals into giving away personal info, credentials, and money too. They are quick on their feet and adapt to the latest trends, employ multiple social engineering tricks, and wield technological advancements (including AI) to manipulate and deceive victims.


O]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Growing Reach, Improving Protection: Bitdefender IoT Security is Now Available for prplOS Routers</title><description><![CDATA[We’re used to smart home devices that make people’s lives easier and more automated, but that doesn’t mean they can’t be hacked. These attacks come in many forms: a baby monitor that cybercriminals have taken over, a smart lock that isn’t as safe as you thought it was, or a smart TV that has gone rogue.

Some of these scenarios are more likely than you would think, especially since we have more connected devices in our homes than ever (about 21 on average) and official IoT Security labeling is s]]></description><link>https://www.bitdefender.com/en-au/blog/hotforsecurity/growing-reach-improving-protection-bitdefender-iot-security-is-now-available-for-prplos-routers</link><guid isPermaLink="false">66f50fd328045a04f10d117a</guid><category><![CDATA[Product Updates]]></category><dc:creator>Bitdefender</dc:creator><pubDate>Mon, 13 Nov 2023 13:54:31 GMT</pubDate><media:content url="https://blogapp.bitdefender.com/hotforsecurity/content/images/2023/11/BD-prpl_1200x628.jpg" medium="image"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[We’re used to smart home devices that make people’s lives easier and more automated, but that doesn’t mean they can’t be hacked. These attacks come in many forms: a baby monitor that cybercriminals have taken over, a smart lock that isn’t as safe as you thought it was, or a smart TV that has gone rogue.

Some of these scenarios are more likely than you would think, especially since we have more connected devices in our homes than ever (about 21 on average) and official IoT Security labeling is s]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Protecting connected devices – NETGEAR Armor and the US Cyber Trust Mark</title><description><![CDATA[
The Federal Communications Committee, the agency in charge of regulating communications in the United States, has launched the US Cyber Trust Mark, a cybersecurity certification and labeling program. It aims to assist consumers in making informed purchasing decisions by informing them of which devices meet national cybersecurity standards established by the US Department of Commerce.

The decision backs up Bitdefender and NETGEAR’s recent joint research on IoT Security, which clearly shows that]]></description><link>https://www.bitdefender.com/en-au/blog/hotforsecurity/protecting-connected-devices-netgear-armor-and-the-us-cyber-trust-mark</link><guid isPermaLink="false">66f50fd328045a04f10d1131</guid><category><![CDATA[Product Updates]]></category><dc:creator>Bitdefender</dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 25 Oct 2023 11:57:16 GMT</pubDate><media:content url="https://blogapp.bitdefender.com/hotforsecurity/content/images/2023/10/Netgear-Armor-Linkedin-1200x628.jpg" medium="image"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[
The Federal Communications Committee, the agency in charge of regulating communications in the United States, has launched the US Cyber Trust Mark, a cybersecurity certification and labeling program. It aims to assist consumers in making informed purchasing decisions by informing them of which devices meet national cybersecurity standards established by the US Department of Commerce.

The decision backs up Bitdefender and NETGEAR’s recent joint research on IoT Security, which clearly shows that]]></content:encoded></item></channel>
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