Cybersecurity 2026: Are traditional VPNs becoming obsolete?

By January 2026, the Virtual Private Network (VPN) landscape is marked by a transition to «Zero Trust» models and the use of artificial intelligence for defense against cyberattacks.

1. Trends and Security in 2026

– Decline of the traditional model: Conventional VPNs are projected to be reaching their security limits; once credentials are compromised, they allow attackers to move laterally within the network.

– Adoption of Zero Trust: The «Never trust, always verify» approach is becoming the standard to replace or complement traditional remote access.

– Defensive AI: Leading providers are integrating AI-based autonomous defenses to combat identity theft and emerging quantum risks.

2. Geopolitical and Legal Situation

– Lifting of restrictions in Iran: After two weeks of global disconnection, it was reported at the end of January 2026 that connections to messaging apps and VPN services had begun to function again in the country.

– Regulatory pressure in the EU: The European Union continues to assess how VPNs can hinder law enforcement, raising debates about the balance between privacy and security.

– Fight against piracy: In Spain, entities such as LaLiga have intensified monitoring to detect the use of VPNs for the illicit viewing of sports content.

3. Best Services of 2026

Current assessments highlight the following providers for their performance and new features:

– NordVPN: Recommended for its speed and server network for international streaming. It was recently announced as the official partner of Real Sociedad for the 2025-2026 season.

– ExpressVPN: Considered the most innovative for integrating decentralized networks and advanced privacy.

– Surfshark: Stands out as the best value option with speeds exceeding 950 Mbps using the WireGuard protocol.

– Norton VPN: Valued for its ease of use and focus on identity protection.

4. Usage Recommendations

Experts suggest that VPNs remain essential for bank-grade encryption on public Wi-Fi networks and for circumventing the geopolitical fragmentation of the internet. However, it is warned that a poorly configured VPN can significantly slow down the connection or become an attack vector if it is not kept up to date.

Source: www.hateltech.com