NordVPN joins forces with Shaquille O'Neal to educate users on digital security

NordVPN joins forces with Shaquille O'Neal to educate users on digital security

This powerful duo will collaborate under the "Go big on your online protection" slogan

• Shaquille O'Neal is a basketball legend, investor, entrepreneur, and philanthropist.
• NordVPN's next-gen antivirus blocks 12 million unique URLs every day, an average of 130,000 malicious pages daily.
• Later this fall, a live event in New York City is scheduled. Early accreditations for journalists are now available.

NEW YORK. NordVPN, a leading all-in-one digital security app, today announces a global partnership with legendary basketball player, entrepreneur, educator, and philanthropist Shaquille O'Neal. This powerful duo will collaborate on educating users about the digital threats that are tackled by NordVPN's next-generation antivirus.

According to NordVPN's experts, the scale of the threats people face daily is staggering. 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," said Shaquille O'Neal, a new NordVPN ambassador. "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."

Throughout his NBA career, Shaq was an unstoppable powerhouse in the game. Now he's channeling that same energy into a new mission: helping everyday people protect themselves online: "I tell my family the same thing I tell everybody: don't make it easy for the bad guys. Scams are getting harder to spot, so you have to stay alert and think before you click."

"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," said Toma Sabaliauskienė, CMO at NordVPN. "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."

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% 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. According to a recent West Coast Labs assessment, NordVPN's next-gen antivirus achieves a 99% detection rate.

The NordVPN and Shaquille O'Neal partnership will last for more than a year. One of the key events this year will happen in New York City this fall.

For more information about the campaign and the offer, visit: https://nordvpn.com/shaquille-oneal/

ABOUT NORDVPN

NordVPN is an all-in-one digital privacy and security app trusted by millions of internet users worldwide. The NordVPN app combines the world's most advanced VPN, a next-generation antivirus, and other built-in security features, such as Dark Web Monitor™, designed to help users stay safer and more private online. NordVPN helps protect against phishing, scams, malicious websites, trackers, intrusive ads, and malware, while strengthening online privacy. For more information, visit nordvpn.com.

ABOUT SHAQUILLE O'NEAL

Shaquille O'Neal is one of the world's most successful athletes-turned-businessmen. His post-playing career as an entrepreneur, sports analyst, DJ, restauranteur, brand partner, and producer has translated into a highly sought-after global brand.

The 15-time NBA All-Star's unprecedented athletic career spanned nearly two decades and earned him countless awards and honors, including NBA Most Valuable Player, NBA Rookie of the Year, four NBA Championships and a First Ballot NBA Hall of Famer. Currently, O'Neal is an Emmy-winning analyst on ESPN's "Inside the NBA."

O'Neal is a universally recognized figure in sports, entertainment, and pop culture. His music career began with the release of four rap albums with his first, Shaq Diesel, going platinum. Today, he is known worldwide as DJ Diesel. His DJ business has become a global enterprise, with his SHAQ's Bass All-Stars Festival and Shaq's Fun House, an immersive event series combining live performances, carnival rides, and celebrity appearances.

Through his multimedia company, Jersey Legends Productions, O'Neal continues to innovate by creating compelling content that spans sports, entertainment, and culture. In April 2026, O'Neal partnered with TNT sports to create, DUNKMAN, the world's first professional dunk league.