Industry-first cross-channel detection covers SMS and social media platforms // Partnership comes as government moves to hold financial institutions liable for phishing losses
Seoul, South Korea – Korean fintech security company ATON(co-CEOs Jong-seo Kim and Gill-soo Woo) announced October 22 a strategic partnership with Nonghyup Mutual Finance Digital Business Division to integrate its AI-powered real-time phishing defense solution DefendUs into the NH CokBank mobile banking app, targeting the surge in non-face-to-face financial fraud affecting consumers.
[DefendUs mobile security interface]
DefendUs stands alone globally as the only solution providing comprehensive threat detection across both messaging platforms and web browsers. The platform monitors malicious links in real-time across SMS, KakaoTalk, Instagram, Telegram, WhatsApp and other messaging channels, while simultaneously screening browser activity—creating a dual-layer defense system that prevents voice phishing and smishing attacks before they reach victims.
The solution combines ATON's proprietary threat data with databases from KISA (Korea Internet & Security Agency), Google, and global security firms, enhanced by AI-driven pattern analysis and patented detection technology to identify emerging phishing techniques. A family notification feature alerts household members when any device accesses suspicious websites or receives smishing messages, providing critical protection for digitally vulnerable populations.
Built as a SaaS platform with in-app integration, DefendUs deploys directly within existing applications and supports both iOS and Android systems, enabling rapid adoption by enterprise clients.
ATON is currently expanding DefendUs deployment across major Korean financial institutions while pursuing international partnerships in Central Asia, Southeast Asia, Japan, and Europe through local distribution partners.
The partnership arrives at a critical juncture for Korea's financial sector. Phishing crime damages are projected to reach a record 1.3 trillion won ($975 million) in 2025. In August, the Korean government and financial authorities announced the "Comprehensive Plan to Eradicate Voice Phishing," introducing new regulations that strengthen liability and compensation requirements for banks and securities firms when customers suffer losses.
Financial fraud is evolving rapidly, with criminals increasingly targeting victims in their 20s and 30s through institutional impersonation schemes that exploit the growth of digital finance and cryptocurrency investment. Sophisticated new techniques including AI voice synthesis and chatbot impersonation are driving surging demand for DefendUs across financial services and telecommunications sectors.
"Financial fraud tactics are becoming more intelligent and sophisticated while victim numbers and losses escalate sharply," said Gill-soo Woo, ATON CEO. "Financial institutions and telecommunications companies need proactive defense measures now. DefendUs blocks phishing across all attack vectors while leveraging global data collaboration to ensure reliability. We're positioned to capture significant market share in anti-phishing security both domestically and internationally."