ZoraSafe: A New App Aiming to Protect Seniors from Cyber Threats

Introduction

In a world where online safety often leans heavily on business-to-business cybersecurity solutions, the general public—especially older individuals—can find themselves particularly vulnerable to scams and cyberattacks. In response to this pressing issue, sisters Catherine Karow and Ellie King Karow have launched ZoraSafe, a startup designed to empower seniors with tools and knowledge to enhance their online security.

A Fresh Approach to Cybersecurity for Seniors

ZoraSafe is set to introduce an innovative app specifically tailored to help older users navigate the complexities of the digital world. The app not only aims to shield users from scammers and hackers but also incorporates gamified microlearning techniques to educate them on safe online practices. Following the announcement at the TechCrunch Disrupt conference, the sisters revealed plans for a launch within the next month.

Subscription Details and Features

The ZoraSafe app will be available for $12.99 per month for individual users, with different pricing tiers for families and groups. Key features in the initial version include:

• QR Code Scanning: A tool to identify potential malware or phishing attempts embedded in QR codes.
• Suspicious Message Reporting: Users can send questionable SMS texts and emails to ZoraSafe for analysis.
• Threat Sharing: A function that enables users to share known scams, helping to populate a database that benefits the entire ZoraSafe community.

Catherine emphasizes the importance of community engagement, stating, “We’re trying to incentivize social sharing of scams. As users report individual threats, we can quickly alert the entire Zora network.”

Upcoming Features and Enhancements

Planned future enhancements include the ability for the app to join suspicious phone calls, leveraging AI to identify scams or deepfake communications. Importantly, this feature will bolster user privacy; the app will not record or listen to calls without consent.

Upon threat detection, the app will initiate a chat to educate users about the identified risk and offer strategies to recognize and mitigate similar threats in the future. Ellie highlights the app’s protective intent, noting that the goal is to cultivate awareness and resilience among users even when not directly using the app.

Prioritizing User Privacy

The AI technology behind ZoraSafe is engineered with user privacy as a priority. Approximately 85% of data processing will occur directly on the user’s device, with only 15% sent to the cloud, ensuring that personal information is sanitized before transfer.

To facilitate immediate access to the app, the Karow sisters also plan to develop NFC stickers that can be attached to phone cases. This feature will enable rapid access during emergencies, such as deepfake calls or medical situations requiring urgent communication with caretakers.

Future Aspirations and Community Impact

Looking ahead, ZoraSafe aims to extend its reach to children and forge partnerships with educational institutions. The sisters also plan to introduce multilingual support, beginning with Spanish, to broaden accessibility and community impact.

Conclusion: Join Us at TechCrunch Disrupt

To learn more about ZoraSafe and explore numerous other innovative companies, attendees are invited to join the TechCrunch Disrupt event from October 27 to 29 in San Francisco. Visit the official website for further details and to reserve your spot.

In a rapidly evolving digital landscape, ZoraSafe stands as a beacon of hope for older individuals seeking to enhance their online safety and knowledge.