Israeli startup Guardio, which offers a subscription consumer security service to protect digital accounts like emails, raised $40M at a $1.1B valuation (Marissa Newman/Bloomberg)

Israeli cybersecurity company Guardio has secured $40 million in new funding, bringing its total funding to $167 million, including an $80 million Series B round led by ION in November, to enhance consumer cybersecurity at a valuation of $1.1 billion. Guardio's core product is an AI-driven detection engine that proactively flags and blocks risky links, fake login pages, dangerous downloads, and scam messages before users interact with them.

The company's focus is on protecting consumers from scams, phishing, malicious websites, and identity theft risks, with plans available for individuals, families, and businesses. The AI technology, which is also used by attackers, enables the creation of personalized emails and websites that mimic legitimate ones, making AI-crafted impersonation and social engineering easier and more cost-effective.

Guardio's browser extension and mobile protection continuously monitor sites and downloads in real time, warning against fake sites, malware, malicious extensions, and suspicious browser behavior. With AI making it easier to create personalized attacks, cybercrime losses in the United States reached a record $20.9 billion in the same period, with the FBI logging nearly 3,000 complaints per day, with 22,000 confirmed as AI-related.