A NordVPN stunt revealed 73% of Americans wrongly trust antivirus software fully protects them online.

NordVPN’s Times Square "Talk to a hacker" installation exposed that 73% of Americans wrongly believe antivirus software fully protects them from online threats. Ethical hackers demonstrated how easily personal data—including passwords, Social Security numbers, and vehicle details—can be stolen via public Wi-Fi, malware, and breached apps. Many participants were shocked to learn their devices were compromised despite using antivirus tools, which offer only partial protection. The stunt highlighted widespread vulnerability, with 40% using public Wi-Fi unsafely and half having experienced a data breach. NordVPN urges the public to check for exposed data and adopt comprehensive security measures through its Dark Web Monitor and Threat Protection Pro.