Avast launches free AI scam protection in antivirus for NZ users
Avast has integrated its AI-powered scam protection features into its range of cyber safety products, including free access for customers in New Zealand via Avast Free Antivirus.
The new offering, known as Avast Scam Guardian, is now available to users worldwide at no additional charge. There is also a premium tier, Avast Scam Guardian Pro, which enhances protection against email scams and is included in Avast Premium Security.
Scam landscape
Recent data highlight the scale and sophistication of the threat. According to the Q1/2025 Gen Threat Report, the number of breached personal records rose by more than 186% between January and March 2025.
This data includes sensitive information such as passwords, email addresses, and credit card details. In the same three-month period, phishing scams increased by 466% compared to the previous quarter, accounting for almost a third of all scam submissions identified by Gen.
Avast notes that cybercriminals are using artificial intelligence to develop scams that are more convincing than ever before and harder to detect. The integration of Scam Guardian aims to provide more robust protection at a time when the risk to consumers is growing.
"Today's scams aren't crude or obvious – they're tailored, targeted, and AI-enhanced, making it harder than ever to tell the difference between truth and deception," said Leena Elias, Chief Product Officer at Gen. "As scammers take advantage of rising data breaches and leaked personal information, anyone anywhere can become a victim of scams. That's why it's never been more important to make powerful AI-powered scam protection available to everyone, everywhere. We're levelling the playing field with world class scam defense that helps people strengthen their digital and financial safety."
Scam Guardian is powered by proprietary AI models trained on scam data from Gen Threat Labs, going beyond the detection of malicious URLs to include analysis of context and language cues. This enables a more nuanced assessment of websites, emails, and other digital content, as well as the ability to identify deceptive or harmful intent in communications.
Feature set
There are several key features included in Avast Scam Guardian for Avast Free Antivirus users. Avast Assistant operates around the clock to provide AI-driven guidance on suspicious online activity, covering websites, SMS, emails, links, and offers.
Users can interact with this assistant to discuss concerns about potential scams and receive clear, practical advice on how to proceed. This service is available on both Windows and Mac platforms.
Another component, Web Guard, leverages telemetry from Gen Threat Labs and AI analysis of millions of websites to detect hidden scams within content and code. This offers additional visibility into dangerous URLs. Web Guard covers Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS systems, although content and code scanning is only available on Windows and Mac.
The premium Avast Scam Guardian Pro includes all the standard protections and adds Email Guard. This feature uses AI to interpret the context and meaning within email messages, flagging suspicious or safe emails before the user opens them.
It works across devices including Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS. However, while Email Guard is included for mobile platforms, they do not feature the Scam Guardian user interface found on desktop versions.
Looking ahead
Avast said that further AI-powered features would be added to Scam Guardian Pro later in the year, addressing new vectors of attack such as SMS and phone call scams. These forthcoming tools are intended to strengthen protection against the evolving and increasingly sophisticated nature of cyber scams.
Both Scam Guardian and Scam Guardian Pro are currently available to download within Avast Free Antivirus and Avast Premium Security products. In New Zealand, Scam Guardian features are included in the free offering without extra cost.
