NordVPN, a digital security app, has revealed a global partnership with basketball player, entrepreneur, educator and philanthropist Shaquille O’Neal. The duo will collaborate on educating users about the digital threats that are tackled by NordVPN’s next-generation antivirus.
NordVPN’s next-gen antivirus scans 12 million unique URLs every day, blocking an average of 130,000 malicious pages.
“I only work with people and brands I believe in, and NordVPN is serious about helping people stay protected online. Everybody is online every day, but a lot of people still think cybersecurity is too complicated or that it doesn’t apply to them. NordVPN makes it easier to understand, and I can help make sure people pay attention. We are a strong team,” said O’Neal
“NordVPN is no longer just a VPN, and this partnership makes that clear. We’ve evolved into a comprehensive online security suite, and Shaq was the obvious fit to help spread the message. He brings a unique blend of strength, trust, and relatable humor to the table, supporting the idea that world-class cybersecurity doesn’t have to be intimidating,” said NordVPN chief marketing officer Toma Sabaliauskienė.
Malware remains the largest threat category by volume. In the first half of 2026 alone, NordVPN blocked almost 5 million malware attempts in the US. Scams and phishing are just as relentless.
Since its launch, NordVPN has blocked nearly 29,000 scam calls and warned more than 525,000 users about spam calls. Of more than 4.4 million phishing connections blocked, 99 per cent impersonated just 300 brands – showing how attackers recycle the same trusted names at massive scale.
NordVPN introduced its next-gen antivirus earlier this year, expanding beyond its VPN offering into the broader digital security category. Built directly into the NordVPN app, it stops malware, scams, and phishing attacks before they reach the user’s device.
The NordVPN and Shaquille O’Neal partnership will last for more than a year.
