NordVPN Strengthens Comprehensive Digital Protection with Next-Gen Antivirus and VPN: One App to Combat Evolving Online Threats Like Scams, Phishing, and Data Leaks

NordVPN (Headquarters: Amsterdam, Netherlands; Japan Representative: Takuro Ohara), a provider of personal security services, is strengthening its comprehensive digital protection, centered on next-generation antivirus and VPN, in response to the shift in online threats from malicious files to scams, phishing, data leaks, and account takeovers.

NordVPN provides digital security through a single app based on three pillars: 'Connection' via a world-class VPN, 'Protection' via next-generation antivirus, and 'Monitoring' via Dark Web Monitor™. This goes beyond a traditional VPN for 'safe connection' to integrally support danger detection during browsing and checking for personal data leaks, comprehensively addressing everyday online risks.

■ Background: The shift from 'files' to 'scams and phishing'

For decades, traditional antivirus software has been defined by its ability to detect malicious files. However, today, many of the most common and serious threats people face do not rely on files. Phishing pages, fake online shops, scam messages, identity theft, and account takeover attacks increasingly depend on sophisticated deception, stolen credentials, and social engineering, rather than downloadable malware.

NordVPN addresses this reality by presenting a new form of protection beyond traditional antivirus. The next-generation antivirus is designed to complement NordVPN's core privacy and encryption features by providing real-time defense against phishing, scams, and malware before they reach the device, going beyond mere post-infection virus detection.

■ Three pillars of protection in one app

NordVPN offers the three pillars of digital security—'Connection,' 'Protection,' and 'Monitoring'—in a single app. This configuration meets users' real needs for stronger security, lower complexity, and fewer tools to manage.

Connection (VPN): Encrypts communication with a world-class VPN covering 211 server locations in 137 countries, providing a secure internet connection while protecting privacy.

Protection (Next-Gen Antivirus): Includes scam and phishing defense, malware defense, ad and tracker blocking, personal information and account takeover protection, and file and device protection. In April alone, it blocked approximately 4.8 million threats (including over 3 million malware instances).

Monitoring (Dark Web Monitor™): Continuously monitors and detects personal data leaks on the dark web, providing prompt notifications. By quickly identifying leaked credentials, it helps prevent account takeovers and secondary damage.

■ Privacy-first by design

Privacy continues to play a central role in how these protection features are built. NordVPN's security approach is based on a design philosophy of collecting only the minimum signals necessary for threat assessment, aiming to protect users without turning security software into a surveillance product. Machine learning models specialized for specific threat categories improve accuracy and speed.

■ Comment from Marius Briedis, CTO of NordVPN

"People still use the term 'antivirus' to describe digital security in general. However, the threats we need to guard against have changed significantly. Modern protection needs to address not just malicious downloads but also the risks people face daily online, like phishing and scams. We are evolving our approach to protection without compromising the privacy standards NordVPN is trusted for. NordVPN emphasizes a privacy-first design that protects users while countering threats. We assess threats based on the minimum necessary signals and utilize machine learning models tailored to specific threat categories to improve detection accuracy and speed. Consumers should not have to sacrifice convenience, protection, or privacy. By integrating advanced VPN technology and next-generation antivirus into a single app experience, we reduce complexity and provide protection better suited to today's digital security needs."

■ About NordVPN

NordVPN is an all-in-one app for digital privacy and security used by millions of internet users worldwide. The NordVPN app integrates a world-class VPN, next-generation antivirus, and security features including Dark Web Monitor™ to help users be safer and more private online. It also protects users from threats such as phishing, scams, malicious websites, trackers, intrusive ads, and malware, and contributes to enhancing online privacy. For more details, visit nordvpn.com.

[Company Overview]

Company Name: NordVPN

Headquarters: Fred. Roeskestraat 115 1076 EE Amsterdam, Netherlands

Japan Representative: Takuro Ohara

NordVPN Website: https://nordvpn.com/

About VPN: https://nordvpn.com/ja/what-is-a-vpn/

About National Privacy Test: https://nationalprivacytest.org/jp