NordVPN Releases New Free Tool to Scan Files for Malware

NordVPN has introduced a new feature called File Checker that lets users upload files to ensure they are intact and free from malware. The feature is available to everyone and can be accessed on the NordVPN website for free without creating an account.

Launched in June 2024, File Checker is the newest addition to NordVPN’s comprehensive suite of security tools. Primarily a VPN service, NordVPN has provided personal security tools, like malware protection, a cross-platform password manager, and a data breach scanner, to its paying customers for some time.

Its VPN app already comes with a feature called Threat Protection Pro, which scans downloaded apps for signs of malware and deletes them. However, to use this feature, you needed a paid version of either the Windows or macOS app.

File Checker, on the other hand, is available to the general public without submitting payment or any identifying information. To use it, simply go to the page, click the Add File button, upload a file, click Analyze, and wait for the scan to finish. Once complete, the tool will alert you whether the file looks safe or might be malicious.

In the background, the File Checker calculates the file’s hash before sending it to NordLabs, where it’s checked against a database of known malicious file hashes. In turn, NordLabs uses machine learning, AI, and other advanced techniques to look for the latest signatures of potential malicious tampering.

According to NordVPN, the File Checker was developed in response to increasing concerns over file security and the rising prevalence of malware attacks. By providing a reliable tool for file verification, NordVPN aims to protect users from the growing number of cyber threats.

In particular, new phishing techniques are making it harder for internet users to distinguish authentic information from scams. This is significant, as Verizon’s 2024 DBIR found social-engineering tactics like phishing to be among the leading causes of successful cyber attacks.