VPN services have traditionally been associated with encrypted connections, IP-address masking and online privacy. In 2026, however, leading VPN providers are expanding beyond those traditional functions. Newer features are increasingly focused on scam detection, phishing protection, malicious downloads, suspicious calls and even AI-generated content.
This shift is particularly noticeable with providers such as NordVPN and Surfshark, which are adding security tools around their core VPN products. These developments don’t mean that a VPN has suddenly become a replacement for antivirus or identity protection. Instead, they show how VPN providers are increasingly trying to become broader digital-security platforms rather than offering only an encrypted internet connection.
What Has Changed About VPN Services in 2026?
A traditional VPN primarily does three things:
- Encrypts your internet connection
- Masks your IP address
- Routes your traffic through a VPN server
Those functions remain important. But VPN providers are increasingly adding tools that operate alongside the VPN connection, including:
- Scam website detection
- Phishing protection
- Malware scanning
- Malicious-download detection
- Ad and tracker blocking
- Scam-call warnings
- SMS scam detection
- AI-generated voice detection
- Dark-web monitoring
- Personal-data protection
NordVPN, for example, has described its 2026 strategy as moving toward an all-in-one digital-security application combining its VPN with antivirus and monitoring tools.
Why Are VPN Providers Adding Scam Protection?
Online scams are increasingly moving beyond traditional malicious websites.
Consumers may encounter scams through:
- Text messages
- Phone calls
- Fake websites
- Search results
- Social media
- Malicious downloads
- AI-generated audio and video
A VPN by itself doesn’t necessarily identify whether a website or phone call is a scam. That’s why providers are adding separate threat-detection capabilities around the VPN.
The goal is to give users more protection before they interact with a potential threat, rather than simply encrypting their connection after they’ve already decided where to go.
NordVPN’s AI Voice Detector
One of the more unusual developments in 2026 is NordVPN’s AI Voice Detector.
NordVPN introduced the tool to its Chrome extension in April 2026. It analyzes audio playing in an active browser tab and provides a real-time indication of whether the voice appears to be human-generated or AI-generated. NordVPN says the system was trained using real and AI-generated voice samples and does not interpret what is being said.
This is relevant because AI-generated voices are increasingly being used in impersonation and scam scenarios.
Imagine receiving a video or audio message that appears to contain the voice of a family member, colleague or public figure. The ability to identify potentially synthetic audio could provide another signal that the content deserves closer scrutiny.
But is AI voice detection foolproof?
No.
AI-generated-content detection is an evolving technology, and a detection result should not be treated as definitive proof that a voice is genuine or fake.
A tool like this should therefore be considered an additional warning signal, not a guarantee of authenticity.
Scam-Call Protection Is Becoming Part of VPN Security
NordVPN has also expanded its Call Protection feature globally across Android and iOS in 2026.
The feature can warn users about potential scam calls before they answer. NordVPN says it uses call patterns and metadata rather than monitoring the actual conversation. It can operate without requiring an active VPN connection.
This is an interesting development because the feature isn’t really a traditional VPN function.
Instead, it addresses a threat that happens outside the encrypted internet connection.
That illustrates the broader direction of VPN products in 2026:
The VPN is increasingly becoming the foundation for a larger collection of digital-security tools.
Surfshark Is Also Expanding Into Scam Protection
Surfshark has taken a similar direction with its Antiscam features.
On supported iOS devices, Surfshark’s security tools can include unsafe-site blocking, personal-data masking and dark-web monitoring. Surfshark also offers text-message protection, which scans incoming SMS messages for signs of scams and phishing attempts and can move suspicious messages to the spam folder.
According to Surfshark, its text-message protection checks characteristics such as the sender’s number, message content and URLs for potential scam indicators. Surfshark says the message content isn’t retained after the scan is completed.
This is another example of a VPN provider expanding protection into areas that traditionally weren’t considered part of VPN functionality.
AI Is Also Being Used for Threat Detection
AI isn’t only being used to identify AI-generated content.
VPN providers are increasingly using machine learning and AI-related technology to identify suspicious websites, files and online behavior.
NordVPN’s current scam, phishing and malware protection uses AI technology from its partner nexos.ai for parts of its detection capabilities. The feature can block malicious URLs, warn about scam websites, scan downloads for malware and check certain applications for vulnerabilities.
NordVPN also offers a cloud-based threat scanner that can send suspicious files to a secure cloud environment for deeper analysis and sandboxing.
This represents a significant expansion from the traditional VPN model.
Does This Mean a VPN Is Now an Antivirus?
Not necessarily.
This is one of the most important distinctions consumers should understand.
Some VPN providers now include malware scanning, malicious-site blocking and other security features. But that doesn’t automatically make every VPN equivalent to a dedicated antivirus product.
For example, NordVPN’s current security tools can scan downloads for malware and provide additional threat protection.
However, consumers comparing security products should still look at:
- Malware detection capabilities
- Real-time protection
- Ransomware protection
- Behavioral detection
- Web protection
- Device coverage
- Independent testing
- Available security features
If antivirus protection is your primary concern, compare dedicated antivirus services such as Norton, McAfee and Webroot rather than choosing a VPN solely because it advertises malware protection.
What About Privacy?
The addition of AI and scam-detection features creates an important question:
How much information does the security tool need to analyze?
This is especially relevant for tools that inspect messages, websites, files or audio.
The privacy model can vary significantly between products and features.
For example, Surfshark says its iOS text-message protection processes incoming messages to identify scam indicators but does not retain the message content after the scan.
NordVPN says its AI Voice Detector analyzes acoustic characteristics without understanding or interpreting the conversation, and that audio buffers are cleared when detection stops or the browser tab closes.
These details matter because privacy isn’t just about having a VPN. Consumers should also consider what additional security features collect, process and retain.
VPN Privacy vs. Scam Protection
These are still two different functions.
VPN privacy protection
A VPN can help:
- Encrypt your internet traffic
- Hide your IP address
- Protect traffic on untrusted networks
- Reduce exposure of your connection information
Scam protection
Scam-protection tools can help:
- Identify suspicious websites
- Block phishing pages
- Detect malicious downloads
- Flag suspicious messages
- Warn about potential scam calls
- Identify potentially AI-generated audio
A provider offering both can therefore give you more layers of protection, but the two shouldn’t be treated as the same technology.
Are These Features Available on Every VPN Plan?
No.
This is particularly important when comparing VPN services.
A provider may advertise a broad collection of security features across its website, while only some of those features are included in specific subscription tiers or supported on particular operating systems.
For example, Surfshark’s additional security features vary by plan, while NordVPN’s more advanced security tools can also depend on the subscription and platform.
Before purchasing, check:
- Which plan includes the feature
- Which operating systems support it
- Whether it requires an active VPN connection
- Whether it works independently of the VPN
- Whether there are device limitations
NordVPN vs. Surfshark: What’s New in 2026?
Since these are the two VPN services currently featured on ProtectionSeek, their recent developments are particularly relevant.
| Feature | NordVPN | Surfshark |
|---|---|---|
| Core VPN encryption | ✓ | ✓ |
| Scam/phishing protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Malware protection | ✓ | Available through broader security plans/features |
| Scam-call protection | ✓ | — |
| AI voice detection | ✓ | — |
| SMS scam protection | — | ✓ |
| Unsafe website blocking | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dark-web monitoring | ✓ | ✓ |
| Additional privacy tools | ✓ | ✓ |
| Broader security ecosystem | ✓ | ✓ |
This is a feature-level comparison, not a claim that one provider is universally better. Features can vary by plan, platform and region.
Does AI Make VPNs More Useful?
Potentially, but AI isn’t the reason to buy a VPN by itself.
The more interesting development is that VPN companies are using AI and machine learning to address threats that traditional VPN encryption cannot solve.
For example:
VPN encryption can protect your connection.
AI-powered threat detection can potentially identify a suspicious website.
AI voice detection can potentially warn that audio may be synthetic.
Scam-call protection can potentially flag a suspicious incoming call.
These functions complement one another rather than replacing one another.
What Should You Look for in a 2026 VPN?
If you’re comparing VPN services today, don’t look only at the number of servers or whether the provider says it has “military-grade encryption.”
Consider the complete feature set.
Privacy
- No-logs policy
- Independent audits
- Encryption
- DNS leak protection
- Kill switch
VPN performance
- Server network
- Connection speeds
- VPN protocols
- Device compatibility
- Reliability
Security
- Malicious-site blocking
- Phishing protection
- Malware scanning
- Scam detection
- Tracker blocking
Newer protection features
- Scam-call protection
- SMS protection
- AI-generated-content detection
- Dark-web monitoring
- Personal-data protection
Transparency
- What data is collected?
- How is it processed?
- Which features require additional permissions?
- Which features require an active VPN?
- Which features require a higher-tier plan?
Should You Choose a VPN With These Extra Features?
It depends.
If you only want a VPN to encrypt your connection and improve online privacy, you may not need every additional security feature.
But if you want one application that combines VPN protection with web security, scam detection, malware protection and privacy monitoring, these additions can make a bundled service more attractive.
The important thing is not to pay for features you won’t use.
ProtectionSeek’s Take
The biggest change in VPN services in 2026 isn’t necessarily the VPN technology itself. It’s the expansion of what VPN companies consider part of online protection.
NordVPN and Surfshark are examples of providers moving beyond traditional VPN functionality and adding tools designed to address phishing, scams, malicious websites, data exposure and other modern threats. NordVPN’s AI Voice Detector and global Call Protection rollout, together with Surfshark’s expanding Antiscam and SMS-protection features, show how the category is evolving.
However, consumers should maintain a clear distinction between VPN privacy and broader cybersecurity protection. A VPN can encrypt your connection, but additional features are what determine whether a particular service also provides meaningful protection against scams, malware and other threats.
Bottom Line
VPN services in 2026 are becoming broader digital-security platforms. AI-powered threat detection, scam warnings, malware scanning, call protection and privacy monitoring are increasingly appearing alongside traditional VPN features.
For consumers, that creates more options—but also makes comparison more important. Instead of asking only “Which VPN is fastest?”, it may now be worth asking:
What does the VPN protect, what information does it process, which features are included in my plan, and how useful are those features for the threats I actually face?
Frequently Asked Questions
Are VPNs using AI in 2026?
Yes. Some VPN providers are using AI or machine-learning technologies for threat detection and other security functions. NordVPN, for example, uses AI technology from nexos.ai in parts of its scam, phishing and malware protection and introduced an AI Voice Detector in 2026.
Can a VPN detect scams?
Some modern VPN services offer scam and phishing detection in addition to their core VPN functionality. These features can identify or block potentially fraudulent websites, but they should not be treated as a guarantee that every scam will be detected.
Can a VPN detect AI-generated voices?
Some can. NordVPN introduced an AI Voice Detector in its Chrome extension in 2026 that analyzes audio to estimate whether a voice is human-generated or AI-generated.
Does scam protection require an active VPN connection?
Not always. Some providers’ security features can operate independently of the VPN connection. NordVPN’s scam, phishing and malware protection, for example, can work without an active VPN connection, while its separate DNS-based scam and phishing protection requires the VPN connection on supported platforms.
Does Surfshark protect against scam text messages?
Surfshark offers text-message protection on iOS with its One and One+ plans. It analyzes incoming messages for scam and phishing indicators and can move suspicious messages to the Spam folder.
Is a VPN with antivirus better than a dedicated antivirus?
Not necessarily. A VPN with malware or threat-protection features can provide additional security, but consumers who primarily need antivirus protection should compare the actual malware-protection capabilities and independent testing rather than assuming a bundled VPN is equivalent to a dedicated antivirus product.
