2025.09.28 – Nord, Google, NordVPN, and Nord Security

Summary

A notification email indicated that a Nord account had been linked to a Google account. Questions followed about the companies involved and the broader background of Nord. Nord Security is the company behind NordVPN and related products, headquartered in Europe with operational ties to Panama. This matters because it highlights issues of account security, privacy, and the reliability of corporate communications.

Context and Scope

This account examines the contents of a Nord–Google account linking notification, the identification of the companies involved, and an investigation into Nord. It also integrates contextual information on Nord’s corporate structure, jurisdiction, products, privacy claims, security incidents, and reputation. Only the selected elements are included here to maintain coherence and relevance.

Exhaustive Narrative of Facts

The Initial Notification

The message stated: “Your Nord and Google accounts are now linked.” It was addressed to a Gmail account and added, “If this wasn’t you, protect your accounts by changing your passwords immediately.” A link to “Nord Account” was provided, along with a support address: support@nordaccount.com.

Investigation into Nord

NordVPN is a virtual private network (VPN) service designed to encrypt connections, mask internet protocol (IP) addresses, and protect online privacy. It is operated by Nord Security, also known as Nordsec Ltd, which develops additional products such as NordPass (a password manager), NordLocker (a secure storage tool), and NordLayer (enterprise security solutions). All of these services are managed through “Nord Account,” a single sign-on platform.

Legally, NordVPN is based in Panama, a jurisdiction with favorable privacy laws and no mandatory data retention. Nord Security also maintains corporate registration in the Netherlands. This dual arrangement enables operations in Europe while benefiting from Panama’s legal environment.

The company has promoted a strict “no logs” policy, asserting that it does not retain user activity records. This policy has been audited independently by firms such as PricewaterhouseCoopers and Deloitte. To reinforce this, NordVPN migrated to servers operating solely in random access memory (RAM), meaning that no data persists on physical drives once servers are powered off.

A significant incident occurred in 2018 when a server hosted by a third-party data center was compromised. NordVPN stated that no user credentials or traffic logs were stolen, but critics noted the delay in disclosure. Since then, the company has introduced a bug bounty program to encourage external researchers to report vulnerabilities.

Nord has also faced sanctions in the United Kingdom for making exaggerated marketing claims. Despite these issues, it remains one of the most widely used VPN services, praised for speed and security. However, experts emphasize that no VPN eliminates all risks. Because Nord is so prominent, phishing campaigns often impersonate its brand in fraudulent emails.

Practical Takeaways

  • A Nord account may be linked to a Google account, and official notifications confirm this action.
  • Nord Security operates NordVPN and other privacy-focused products, using both Panama and the Netherlands for legal and operational purposes.
  • The company claims a “no logs” policy, supported by independent audits and technical measures like RAM-only servers.
  • Past security incidents and regulatory sanctions show that while NordVPN is popular and effective, it is not immune to risks.
  • The brand’s visibility makes it a common target for phishing, so users should independently verify any unexpected emails.

Sources

Published by Leonardo Tomás Cardillo

https://www.linkedin.com/in/leonardocardillo

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