Top 6 VPNs Revealed

Wired has updated its guide to the best VPN services, highlighting the top options for privacy, security, and bypassing geo-restrictions. The guide, updated in September 2026, now includes Bitdefender VPN Premium as one of the recommended services.

The popularity of VPNs is growing due to age-verification laws in the UK and several states in the US. As a result, hundreds of VPNs are now available, all claiming to be the best. However, not all of them live up to their promises.

A VPN provides a secure tunnel for internet traffic to pass through, instead of connecting directly to an internet service provider's servers. This adds an extra layer of security, especially on untrusted networks. VPN protocols also encrypt traffic before it reaches the VPN server, providing additional protection.

While VPNs are often marketed as security tools, they are more effective for maintaining privacy and bypassing geo-restrictions. This is particularly useful for accessing content that is not available in certain regions.

Wired's guide is part of a series of VPN-related articles, including how to set up a VPN on a router and how to use a VPN to watch Netflix while traveling abroad.

## What Does a VPN Do? A VPN, or virtual private network, creates a secure connection between a user's device and a VPN server. This connection is encrypted, making it difficult for third parties to intercept and read the data being transmitted. By using a VPN, users can browse the internet anonymously, as their browsing data is not stored by the VPN service.

## Why It Matters The use of VPNs is becoming increasingly important as online privacy and security concerns grow. With the rise of age-verification laws and geo-restrictions, VPNs provide a way for users to maintain their online freedom and access content that may be blocked in their region. By choosing a reliable and trustworthy VPN service, users can protect their online identity and sensitive information.