Why shouldn't you trust Microsoft Edge's VPN?

People are always happy to get expensive security tools for free, but Microsoft Edge 's free VPN isn't quite what it claims to be. While you might feel protected when you turn it on, it's not really a true VPN and might not even work when you think it's running.

 

Things you need to know about Microsoft Edge VPN

Microsoft has quietly introduced Edge Secure Network VPN, integrated directly into the Edge browser. No additional installation or configuration is required. Sounds great, right? According to Microsoft, it uses 'VPN technology' to protect your sensitive information from prying eyes. Perhaps this is intended to compensate for the removal of the built-in VPN in Microsoft 365.

So far, everything has been fine. This is exactly what a VPN does. It reroutes traffic through an encrypted tunnel to prevent interception during transmission. It also helps keep your browsing activity anonymous.

Microsoft has partnered with Cloudflare to create this VPN marvel. When active, Microsoft Edge VPN will mask the device's identity and data while rerouting it through the nearest Cloudflare server.

This feature is not enabled by default. To learn how to enable it, please refer to this article: How to enable a free VPN on Microsoft Edge.

 

The main drawbacks of VPN on Edge.

Unlike many other VPNs, you won't be able to watch your favorite shows and movies through a Microsoft Edge VPN. The VPN won't automatically enable for most popular streaming services.

Additionally, a free Microsoft account only includes 5 gigabytes of data per month. You'll quickly use up that amount if you use a VPN frequently. After that, you won't be protected for the rest of the month.

Another issue is that you don't have location options. To focus on speed, traffic is automatically routed to the nearest geographically accessible data center. This means Edge can still track your general location. A VPN shouldn't allow you to search for "restaurants near me" and get local results.

The next problem is that the default setting is Optimized. The VPN only turns on if it detects you're using public Wi-Fi or an insecure network. It also turns on if a website doesn't have a valid security certificate.

If you keep the default settings, you're trusting Microsoft to determine if your connection is secure. What happens if you're paying your bill on public Wi-Fi, but Microsoft isn't properly identifying the connection? Then your data will be transmitted without any additional protection from a VPN.

You can change this. Open Edge and go to Settings → Privacy, search, and services → Security . If Microsoft Edge Secure Network is enabled, you will see three options – Select Sites, Optimized, and All Sites.

 

You should use Select Sites or All Sites . Choose Site preferences for Secure Network to configure which websites to use if you select Select Sites .

Remember, if you select All Sites , you'll quickly use up your free data allowance. You should manually turn it on and off as needed to save bandwidth. When enabled, a shield icon will appear to the right of the address bar for easy on/off.

Is using a VPN on Microsoft Edge worthwhile?

Microsoft Edge Secure Network VPN provides an extra layer of protection when using Edge. It's completely free, but linking it to a Microsoft account carries the risk that your personal identity may be linked to the anonymous activity you're performing.

Most other free browser VPNs don't require an account to use. That's right, most free browser VPNs only offer protection for browser traffic. Paid browser VPNs typically offer more traditional VPN protection.

You should use it if you're using public Wi-Fi, but make sure it's actually turned on when transferring any sensitive data. However, free VPNs are often not secure . Many people will opt for a more traditional VPN system or use a VPN alternative . If you're unsure about security, try checking for VPN leaks to see if your real IP address is exposed at any point.