Which browser extension actually detects scams?
Most browser security extensions hijack your search engine, flood you with pop-ups, or track your browsing data. We built the one that doesn’t. Try the scanner and see the difference.
No search hijacking. No ads. No tracking. Scans only when you ask.
The extension that doesn’t take over your browser to “protect” it.
| Feature | Cautellus | Other Extensions |
|---|---|---|
| No search engine hijacking | ||
| No ads or sponsored results | ||
| No background tracking | ||
| Scans only when you click | ||
| Data never sold to third parties | ||
| URL / link scanning | ||
| Text / message scanning | ||
| Deepfake / AI image detection | ||
| Page content analysis | ||
| Phone number lookup | ||
| Brand impersonation detection | ||
| Community scam reports (Reddit, forums) | ||
| FBI / FTC alert matching | ||
| Password generator | Plus | |
| Data breach checker | Plus | |
| Browser extension with right-click scan | ||
| Works without an account | ||
| Where-to-report scam directory | ||
| Price | From $9.99/mo | Free (with ads/tracking) or $50–100+/yr bundled |
Cautellus vs Norton Safe Web
Norton only checks URLs against a blocklist — it doesn’t analyze message text, can’t detect AI-generated phishing, and installs a toolbar that modifies your search results with sponsored links. Cautellus scans the actual content of messages, images, and pages, matching against community reports and live FBI/FTC alerts without ever touching your search engine.
Cautellus vs McAfee WebAdvisor
McAfee WebAdvisor is free but collects browsing data and has been widely criticized for excessive pop-ups and false positives. It offers no text scanning, no image detection, and no FBI/FTC alert matching. Cautellus never tracks your browsing, never shows ads, and lets you report scams directly to the agencies that can act on them.
Cautellus vs Avast Online Security
Avast was caught selling user browsing history to advertisers via its Jumpshot subsidiary — a practice that led to an FTC settlement in 2024. Even after the settlement, Avast offers only URL-level protection with no message analysis, no deepfake detection, and no community intelligence. Cautellus never sells your data. Read our full security blog for more on how data-selling extensions put users at risk.
Cautellus vs Malwarebytes Browser Guard
Malwarebytes Browser Guard is the closest competitor in terms of privacy — it blocks ads and trackers well. But it has no scam-specific text analysis, no community intel from Reddit or FBI/FTC sources, no deepfake image detection, and no where-to-report directory for victims. Cautellus is purpose-built for scam detection, not just ad blocking.
What most security extensions get wrong
Search engine hijacking
They replace your default search engine with their own, inserting sponsored results above what you actually searched for.
Background tracking
Some extensions log every URL you visit and sell that browsing data to advertisers and data brokers.
URL-only scanning
They only check if a URL is on a blocklist. They can’t analyze the actual message, detect deepfakes, or match against FBI/FTC alerts.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best browser extension for scam detection?
Cautellus is the only browser extension that combines URL scanning, text/message analysis, deepfake image detection, phone number lookup, and real-time FBI/FTC alert matching in one tool. Unlike Norton or McAfee, it doesn't hijack your search engine, track your browsing, or show ads.
Does Norton protect you from scams?
Norton Safe Search checks URLs against a blocklist, but it can't analyze message text, detect AI-generated phishing images, or match against community scam reports. It also replaces your default search engine with Norton's own, inserting sponsored results — a behavior many users find disruptive.
Is McAfee WebAdvisor safe to use?
McAfee WebAdvisor provides basic URL reputation checks, but it collects browsing data and has been criticized for excessive pop-ups and false positives. It offers no text scanning, no image analysis, and no FBI/FTC alert integration.
Can a browser extension detect phishing emails?
Most browser security extensions only check URLs. Cautellus also analyzes the actual text content of messages — detecting urgency tactics, brand impersonation language, payment demands, and other phishing patterns that URL-only checkers miss entirely.
Does Cautellus sell my data?
No. Cautellus never sells, shares, or transfers your data to third parties. Scanned content is analyzed in real-time and immediately discarded. The extension only activates when you click — it never runs in the background or tracks your browsing. Full details at cautellus.com/privacy.
Is Cautellus free?
Cautellus offers a trial scan so you can see how it works. After that, the Plus plan ($9.99/mo) gives you unlimited scam scans, 50 AI image detections, full data breach reports, password generator, SMS scam number database, and the Chrome extension.
