Avast launches AI-based software to block phishing attacks

This technology allows it to recognise new phishing sites in seconds, protecting users across all platforms from falling victim to phishing scams and other fraudulent emails

Avast 2019 is a free and premium flagship consumer security product (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Global cybersecurity firm Avast has released an Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based software to block phishing attacks.

The software, Avast 2019, is a free and premium flagship consumer security product, the Prague, Czech Republic-headquartered company said in a statement.

Powered by AI, the product is designed to ensure enhanced detection of phishing websites by automatically checking a site's URL for suspicious tokens, domain meta information, and inspecting the visual aspects of sites.

This technology allows it to recognise new phishing sites in seconds, protecting users across all platforms from falling victim to phishing scams and other fraudulent emails, Avast said.

"Avast 2019 brings together next generation phishing protection with great usability and convenience features, to provide our customers with the best security and privacy protections," said Ondrej Vlcek, Avast's Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer (CTO).

"Phishing is a very effective social engineering technique and cybercriminals have recently upped their game when it comes to creating phishing sites to trick people into giving up sensitive information, which is why we need to use powerful technology to combat the threat," Vlcek added.

Avast said its new "Do Not Disturb Mode" silences alerts including those from third party applications, such as Windows, email, chat and browser notifications while users run applications in full screen.