ESET has expanded ESET HOME Security and ESET Small Business Security with a dedicated AI Security layer designed to protect consumers and small office/home office users against scams and threats associated with AI tools. The new safeguards target emerging AI-related risks, including malicious links in chatbot responses, unsafe scripts and suspicious files handled by AI agents. Beyond artificial intelligence defences, the wider update introduces browser privacy controls, additional website restrictions for small businesses and a planned iOS security app.
Protection for AI conversations and agents
Under the new security layer, AI Conversation Security examines links included in responses generated by ChatGPT, checking whether they point to phishing, malicious or potentially unwanted sources and warning users when referenced content may be unsafe before they open the links. The feature also scans scripts generated by large language models to help prevent users from executing malicious code. While ChatGPT is the first supported service, ESET plans to integrate other major AI models, including Gemini and Copilot.
To address autonomous software, ESET has introduced AI Agent Security to monitor what AI agents access and download before execution. The feature is designed to protect against unsafe files, potentially harmful scripts downloaded by AI tools and suspicious external URLs. Working alongside these pre-execution checks, AI Behavioral Monitoring continuously examines agent activity, identifying unusual actions, suspicious access attempts, unexpected behaviour patterns and questionable download sources.
Complementing the built-in safeguards, the company has also introduced AI Skills Checker, a free online tool that examines add-ons used to extend the functionality of AI applications. Built using AI Agent Security technology, it checks these skills for signs of malicious activity and risky behaviour before users install and use them.
Browser privacy and mobile security controls
For web browsing, Browser Screen Protection adds safeguards against unauthorised screenshots, screen recordings and screen sharing. ESET says the feature is designed to protect sensitive information from malware that steals information or captures screen content, particularly during online banking, shopping and private browsing.
On mobile devices, ESET plans to introduce ESET Mobile Security for iOS in free and premium versions, with features covering malicious websites, links, device security settings and potentially unsafe Wi-Fi connections. The app is pending Apple App Store approval, and actual availability may vary by region.
Features listed for the free version include Link Checker, which checks URLs against ESET’s continually updated database of malicious links, and Device Scan, which provides a one-click overview of a device’s security configuration, identifying potential weaknesses such as incorrect settings, missing security-related permissions and previously ignored issues. Another free feature, Device Settings Check, reviews protections including screen-lock settings and notification handling, alongside examining available storage for future updates.
Planned premium features include Anti-Phishing for Safari, which blocks malicious pages before they load, and Connection Security, which identifies risky or unsecured Wi-Fi networks. The latter also allows users to maintain a list of trusted networks.
Additional website controls for small businesses
For small organisations, ESET Small Business Security now includes Web Control, giving businesses the ability to configure website access restrictions for employees. The feature can be used to limit access to potentially dangerous or inappropriate websites, including pages containing offensive material or content that may infringe intellectual property rights. Businesses can also restrict websites they consider detrimental to employee productivity.
