Does Your Home Broadband Actually Protect You from Scams in NZ?
For NZ families on standard broadband, your internet connection most likely does not include any protection against online scams, phishing websites, or malware. Standard broadband delivers data to your devices — it doesn't check what that data is. Wireless Nation Scam Guard adds a network-level security layer that helps block known threats before they reach any device in your home, automatically.
This guide explains what standard broadband leaves unprotected, what Scam Guard adds, and whether it's worth it for your household.
What does standard broadband protect your family from?
Standard broadband protects your family from nothing. It delivers your internet connection. What comes through it is up to the devices in your home.
Most NZ families rely on antivirus software installed on individual devices. That works for the devices it's on. It doesn't cover smart TVs, gaming consoles, connected security cameras, or anything else on your network that can't run antivirus software.
What is network-level protection?
Network-level protection works at the modem, not on individual devices. Scam Guard is activated on your Wireless Nation connection, so it helps stop known harmful threats before they ever reach your devices.
You don't need to install anything. No apps to update, no settings to configure on each device. It works automatically for everything connected to your Wireless Nation connection.
What does Scam Guard block?
Scam Guard helps block access to known harmful websites before they load on any device in your home. That includes:
- Phishing websites used to steal passwords, banking details, or card information
- Malware websites linked to harmful software downloads
- Scam and ransomware links that have already been flagged as unsafe
Scam Guard uses the NCSC's Malware Free Networks technology, backed by New Zealand and global threat intelligence. The NCSC disrupted over 10.3 million malicious cyber events targeting New Zealand in 2023/2024.
Which devices does Scam Guard cover?
Scam Guard covers every device connected to your Wireless Nation home internet, including:
- Laptops and desktop computers
- Smartphones and tablets
- Smart TVs
- Gaming consoles
- Connected security cameras and smart home devices
Because it works at the network level, it covers devices you can't install antivirus on.
How does standard broadband compare to Wireless Nation with Scam Guard?
| Feature | Standard broadband | Wireless Nation + Scam Guard |
| Helps block phishing websites | No | Yes |
| Helps block malware websites | No | Yes |
| Covers all home devices | No | Yes |
| Covers smart TVs and consoles | No | Yes |
| Nothing to install | — | Yes |
| NZ government-backed threat intelligence | No | Yes (NCSC MFN) |
| Cost | Plan cost only | $9.99/month add-on |
Is Scam Guard a replacement for antivirus?
No. Scam Guard and antivirus software work at different levels and are best used together.
Scam Guard helps block access to known harmful websites before anything reaches your devices. Antivirus handles threats on individual devices, including things from outside your home network like email attachments or USB drives.
Think of Scam Guard as the lock on the front door. Antivirus is the alarm inside. Both are worth having.
What does Scam Guard not protect against?
Scam Guard is upfront about what it does and doesn't do. It won't:
- Catch brand new scam websites that haven't been identified and reported yet
- Block scams sent by text, email, social media, or over the phone
- Work correctly on devices using certain VPNs or encrypted browsing settings like Apple Private Relay
It's an extra layer of protection, not a complete guarantee.
Is Scam Guard right for your household?
Scam Guard is worth adding if you:
✔ Want protection for every device in the house connected to WiFi
✔ Have smart TVs, consoles, or devices that can't run antivirus
✔ Want automatic protection without managing software on every device
✔ Are already on a Wireless Nation fibre or portable WiFi plan
It's available for $9.99/month per Wireless Nation connection.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Scam Guard available with any broadband provider in NZ?
No. Scam Guard is a Wireless Nation add-on and is only available on eligible Wireless Nation connections. It is not available on mobile phone plans or Spark-powered Wireless Broadband plans.
How much does Scam Guard cost?
$9.99/month per connection. If you have more than one Wireless Nation connection, each one needs its own add-on.
Does Scam Guard slow down my internet?
No. It runs in the background and doesn't affect your speeds.
Does Scam Guard read my personal browsing data?
No. It helps block access to known harmful websites using threat intelligence — it doesn't inspect what you do online.
Can I add Scam Guard to Family Fibre?
Yes. Scam Guard is available as an add-on to Wireless Nation Family Fibre plans.
Final Thoughts
Standard broadband gets your family connected. It doesn't protect them from what comes through that connection. Wireless Nation Scam Guard fills that gap by helping reduce exposure to known scams, phishing sites, and malware across the devices in your home.
If you're already on a Wireless Nation plan, you can add Scam Guard from your MyHub account.
Not on Wireless Nation yet? Check out the plans to see what's available at your address.