NordVPN, a leading virtual private network (VPN) provider, has released its first Consumer Cybersecurity Report, highlighting how artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming cybercrime by making it easier for attackers to exploit human behavior rather than technical weaknesses. The report underscores a growing trend: fraud is becoming more personalized and widespread, thanks to AI tools that allow scammers to create convincing fake messages, emails, and websites with minimal effort. According to the report, NordVPN blocked over 5 million malware attempts in January 2026 alone, showing the scale of the threat. The report reveals that cybercriminals are increasingly using AI to craft highly targeted scams, often mimicking well-known brands to trick users. NordVPN's analysis of threat intelligence data from the first half of 2026 shows that the most exploited vulnerability is human trust. With access to powerful AI models and pre-made fraud kits, attackers no longer need advanced technical skills or significant resources to launch cyberattacks. This shift has made digital crime more accessible, with scams focusing on exploiting emotions like greed and urgency rather than complex software vulnerabilities. Marijus Briedis, CTO at NordVPN, emphasizes that the current threat landscape is more dangerous than ever. He notes that even a single moment of carelessness, such as clicking on a suspicious link, can have severe consequences. NordVPN processes 12 million unique URLs daily, blocking over 130,000 malicious pages every 24 hours. In the first half of 2026, the United States was the most targeted country, with over 4.89 million malware attempts, followed by the UK and Germany. Phishing attacks were also rampant, with more than 4.4 million attempts blocked by NordVPN, many of which impersonated major companies like Microsoft and Google. The report also highlights the exposure of a staggering 94 billion cookies online between January and May 2026, with 1.2 billion being active session cookies that can be used to hijack user accounts without passwords. NordVPN’s monitoring tools identified 8.4 million compromised accounts in just 90 days, showing the vast amount of personal data available to cybercriminals. In addition, NordVPN blocked nearly 29,000 scam calls and issued spam warnings to over 525,000 users in its first months of operation. To combat these growing threats, the report stresses that both technology and user awareness are crucial. While tools like VPNs and antivirus software provide a layer of protection, individuals must also remain vigilant. Users are encouraged to pause and verify any message or request that demands immediate action or promises unrealistic rewards. In an era where AI is making fraud more sophisticated and widespread, a moment of hesitation can be the difference between falling victim to a scam and staying protected.