Microsoft Edge Browser To Gain Free Built-In VPN

Last Updated on May 3, 2022 by Anu Joy

Microsoft has been relentlessly trying to get more users aboard the Edge train by loading more features into it. In its latest bid to attract users, the tech giant has announced that it is introducing a free built-in VPN for its Edge browser, called Edge Secure Network.

Microsoft Edge Secure Network: Features, Availability

First spotted by The Verge, the Edge Secure Network promises to “protect your device and sensitive data as you browse”. Do note that it is a preview feature, which means that it is still in development and only available to select users in an early access program.

The new feature will shield your data from malicious actors by encrypting your connection. Microsoft’s support page explains that it does so by routing data from the Edge browser via an “encrypted tunnel” to create a safe connection, even for non-secure URLs. It adds that directly encrypting web traffic ensures that your internet service provider will not be able to access your browsing data. Moreover, Microsoft Edge Secure Network will allow you to use a virtual IP address to hide your IP from bad actors.

This feature is available for free and can be accessed by signing in with your Microsoft account. However, you will be limited to 1GB data per month. The firm adds that “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 Edge Secure Network: How It Works

To access the feature, you will have to sign in to your Microsoft account and navigate to Settings and more. Select Secure Network. You will then be able to see a solid shield icon in the browser frame. This means Microsoft Edge Secure Network is active for your browsing session. Do note that it gets automatically disabled when you close the Edge browser. You will have to enable it every time you fire up a new browsing session.