Australian cybersecurity expert Troy Hunt, who founded and still operates the compromised password search site haveibeenpwnedcom, has joined one of the world's best VPN companies as an advisor

In a press release, NordVPN said Hunt is the first security expert to join the new advisory team, who will "share their expertise and provide guidance on the company's security and commercial practices"

Tom Okman, co-founder of NordSec, said: "We are very pleased to have Troy Hunt as an advisor Our product family is growing rapidly and we have ambitious plans for the future [so it is important to have a team of professionals who can support us by providing expert insight and strategic advice"

NordVPN explained that this team will include experts from a variety of backgrounds and expertise, including technology, digital privacy, cybersecurity, and academia

He further explained that the advisors will "provide strategic guidance and help shape the company's future by sharing unique perspectives, insights, and trends"

This is not the first time a VPN company has turned to third-party experts to influence the direction of its products The company has already twice conducted independent reviews of zero-log policies and helped launch the VPN Trust Initiative, an organization that sets guidelines and standards for the VPN industry

"I am impressed with NordVPN's product and their willingness to engage with independent experts to drive further innovation," Hunt said in a press release

"Their openness and transparency combined with the way they run their services and their vision for the future is a big part of what attracted me to this organization, and I look forward to partnering with NordVPN and helping them do more for digital privacy"

On his blog, Hunt explained that the partnership came about during a discussion with Ochman, who was skeptical about the consumer VPN industry

"Why should people trust NordVPN?" Hunt asked In particular, the promise of "no logs" is a favorite of VPN providers, but clearly the reality is not always as promised

NordVPN's most recent independent audit shook Hunt on that point, but he wasn't done yet

"There were aspects of NordVPN that I told Tom needed work," he added, "especially the messaging in the marketing materials"

"Marketers like to exaggerate, but in my view, there was more than could reasonably be expected from VPN

Hunt did not specify exactly what he was referring to But, for example, some VPN companies might imply that using a VPN will protect you from malware infection, when in fact it does not

"So Tom asked me if I would be willing to invest a little more time than just a phone call to become an advisor to NordVPN and share these ideas," Hunt wrote

Hunt said that although the partnership is a "commercial relationship," he will not be an employee of NordVPN and will "remain independent"