NordVPN’s new “hijacked session alerts” feature protects users by warning them when their browser cookies appear for sale on the dark web.
How it protects you
NordVPN’s hijacked session alert feature is designed to ensure that users get notified when their authentication cookies are compromised and are being sold on dark websites. The feature is part of the larger scheme by Nord to enhance the security of its users.
Session hijacking is arguably one of the most dangerous threats that most online users face today. It exposes users to several serious problems like identity theft and financial fraud.
However, the new addition by NordVPN claims to prevent session hijacking. The tool actively monitors dark web marketplaces and immediately alerts users when it detects their cookies. Usually, the cookies contain a lot of information, like login data used on certain websites. Therefore, it’s essential to protect such cookies to enhance your online privacy and safety.
Perhaps, malicious actors know a lot about such cookies, and they try to acquire them by using various techniques like phishing attacks or SQL injection attacks. When they get hold of such cookies, they can use them to get past two-factor authentication and then access accounts or even sell the login credentials on the darknet marketplaces.
According to reports, users log into technically secure websites such as social media platforms and pass two-factor authentication, but attackers can still steal their session cookies. The cookies usually remain valid for up to 30 days, which offers attackers plenty of time to exploit accounts and even cause significant damage.
How the hijacked session alert works
As you browse, the tool checks whether your web browser uses the authentication cookie. If that’s the case, it now encrypts its domain, name, and a section of its value and then sends the modified cookie to run a scan in the backend.
The next thing is to compare a section of the hash against a huge database of more than 130 billion compromised cookies from the darknet through NordStellar, which is NordVPN’s cyber threat intelligence feature, to scan the internet and monitor all the possible evolving fraud threats.
Whenever it detects a threat, NordVPN alerts the user in real time in the affected browser tab with detailed instructions. The user can then take immediate action before the criminals can exploit accounts with things like changing the password of compromised accounts and even logging out of devices they’re logged into.
In fact, Virbickas says that when such scenarios occur, speed is always essential as most malicious actors work swiftly to exploit the stolen data before their victims can respond.
Top features of the Hijacked session alert
The tool is a sub-feature of the larger threat protection pro by NordVPN and has some key features that make it one of the most significant tools for your online safety. Some of the benefits include:
- Real-time monitoring: When the tool is on, the threat protection pro scans the dark web and various repositories for cookies that are similar to the ones used by your current browser.
- Immediate alert system: When the tool detects stolen cookies, it notifies you in real-time so that you can take immediate action, such as changing your passwords.
- Privacy protection – With Threat Protection Pro in place, you can be assured that your session cookies, as well as personal information, are safe. The feature protects your sessions without exposing the cookie data.
- Guided response plan: The last thing you want to hear is that your sensitive data is trading on the dark web. Fortunately, the hijacked session alert tool offers you a step-by-step plan that will help you to gain control of the entire situation and mitigate the risk quickly.
To turn on the hijacked session alert feature, you simply need to check whether the “Advanced browsing protection” in the NordVPN app Threat Protection Pro settings is on. Given that the hijacked session alert feature is part of browsing protection, it automatically turns on when you toggle that feature on.
Industry Impact: A new standard for proactive security
NordVPN’s move signals a crucial industry shift—from reactive defense to proactive threat prevention. As attacks evolve beyond traditional VPN security (that secures your internet traffic) and antivirus detection, this feature demonstrates the growing necessity of real-time dark web intelligence and user-focused alerts.
In cybersecurity, proactive caution will always surpass reactive solutions. The future of digital protection lies not in building higher walls, but in providing users with early warnings and actionable insights.
