Microsoft Adds Built-In VPN To Its Edge Browser

Microsoft has announced that its browser Edge will now have a built-in Virtual Private Network (VPN) to ensure users’ security and privacy.

A VPN is an encrypted connection over the web from a device to a network. The encrypted connection helps ensure that sensitive data is safely transmitted. It prevents unauthorized people from spying on the traffic and allows the user to conduct work remotely.

Dubbed ‘Edge Secure Network’, the Cloudflare-powered VPN service is being tested and will roll it out to the public as part of a security upgrade.

The VPN feature will enable will encrypt users’ Internet connection to help protect their data from online threats like hackers. It will also help prevent Internet service providers from collecting users’ browsing data like details about which websites they visit, browsing history and location.

“Online entities can use your location and IP address for profiling and sending you targeted ads. Microsoft Edge Secure Network lets you browse with a virtual IP address that masks your IP and replaces your geolocation with a similar regional address to make it more difficult for online trackers to follow you as you browse,” the company said in the announcement.

Although free, it will come with a data limit of 1GB per month. To use the service, users will be required to sign in to their Microsoft account and let the company track their usage.

“A Microsoft Edge sign-in is required to track free data usage and access Secure Network every month. All bandwidth data that is required to provide the Microsoft Edge Secure Network service is automatically deleted at the end of the required service window,” Microsoft said.

Microsoft is letting users test out a preview of the upcoming VPN feature. Users can download and install the feature to test it out on their browsers.

Microsoft joins other service providers such as Opera offering a free VPN. Mozilla and Google Chrome have paid VPN services.