ShieldNet: AI system detects harmful content on Internet
DNO - A team of students in Da Nang, Vietnam, has developed ShieldNet, a multi-layered artificial intelligence (AI) system designed to manage domain names, detect harmful content.
This AI solution carries its mission to ensure a comprehensive cybersecurity “shield” for the digital space.
With high practical applicability, ShieldNet is poised to support government agencies, businesses, and individual users in maintaining a safer online environment.
The project originated from the students’ observation of growing risks on the internet.
As realised by the team from Vietnam-Korea University of Information and Communication Technology (VKU) under the University of Da Nang, domain management and content moderation in Vietnam remain time-consuming, error-prone, and limited in effectiveness.
Through partnership with the Vietnam Internet Network Information Center (VNNIC), the team accessed critical data and insights to address these challenges.
Initially focused on fast and accurate domain management, the project soon expanded as the students realized there were few tools to detect and protect users from harmful online content, including phishing, gambling, and scam websites.
Today, ShieldNet serves three main groups, namely regulators, businesses, and individual internet users.
ShieldNet offers two main tools: domain management and content safety scanning.
The domain management tool quickly analyzes any domain, detecting illegal or high-risk sites, while the content scanner lets users examine links, text and images, issuing alerts for potential threats.
Using advanced AI models and a proprietary Vietnamese-language dataset, ShieldNet precisely classifies domains and transparently explains the reasons for each violation based on technical standards and regulations.
Currently under trial at VNNIC, ShieldNet assessed 3,331 domains in October 2025, detecting 359 confirmed violations with 93% accuracy and 92 potential violations with 100% accuracy.
The project also won first prize at the 5th Innovative Technology Entrepreneurship Competition - InTE UD 2025, highlighting its practical and social value.
When it comes to their future plans, the VKU team is expected to expand ShieldNet to tackle social media threats, malware and fake news. Given its high practical applicability, the project has been nominated for the ASEAN Digital Award 2026.
This recognition provides an opportunity for the team to exchange knowledge, gain experience, and bring their product to the Southeast Asian market, highlighting the project’s value and real-world potential.
ShieldNet aspires to become a truly useful tool, helping to create a safer, healthier internet for all Vietnamese users.