In addition to antivirus applications, the field of cybersecurity has primarily focused on serving businesses, leaving individual internet users to fend for themselves. Among these users, older individuals, who may not have grown up with the internet and smartphones, are particularly susceptible to online threats.
A startup called ZoraSafe, co-founded by sisters Catherine Karow and Ellie King Karow, aims to address this vulnerability. Their vision involves developing an app that not only safeguards older adults from scammers and hackers but also educates them on staying secure using gamified microlearning techniques. Catherine and Ellie shared their insights with TechCrunch ahead of their participation in the Startup Battlefield at the TechCrunch Disrupt conference.
While the app has yet to be released, the sisters anticipate its launch within a month. They disclosed that the subscription cost for individual users will be $12.99 per month, with higher rates for family and group plans.
The initial version of the app, according to Catherine, will offer various features. These include a QR code scanning feature to detect malware or phishing attempts, the option to forward suspicious SMS messages and emails to ZoraSafe for verification, and a functionality to report known scams or threats to the app’s database for communal protection.
Catherine explained, “We aim to promote the sharing of scam alerts within the Zora network, enabling swift protection for the entire community once a threat is identified by a single user.”
Future updates will introduce a capability that permits users to involve ZoraSafe in suspicious phone conversations, allowing the app’s AI system to discern potential scams or deepfake calls. However, Catherine assured that the app will not eavesdrop on or record calls.
Upon identifying a threat, the app will initiate a chat session to inform the user about the detected threat and provide guidance on recognizing and handling similar situations in the future, as explained by Ellie.
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Ellie highlighted that the AI engine prioritizes privacy, with 85% of processing conducted on the device and only 15% in the cloud, ensuring data anonymity before transmission.
Catherine mentioned plans for an “NFC sticker” to be integrated into phone cases, enabling quick access to the app in scenarios like deepfake calls or emergencies. This approach circumvents iOS restrictions on app monitoring across platforms. Another strategy involves incorporating a “Share to ZoraSafe” option in the iOS menu for sending messages or emails to the company’s systems.
The founders aspire to expand ZoraSafe’s reach to children, collaborate with educational institutions, and introduce multilingual support, starting with Spanish.
For more details on ZoraSafe and to explore numerous other companies, witness their presentations, and listen to industry experts across various stages, participate in Disrupt from October 27 to 29 in San Francisco. Discover more here.
