Microsoft’s web browser will soon have a integrated virtual private network service. referred to as Microsoft Edge Secure Networkwill be powered by Cloudflare, will offer 1 GB of data for free and will be seamlessly integrated into the browser.

Microsoft Edge VPN will work much like existing commercial services or other web browsers that include it by default, such as Opera or Firefox. Microsoft ensures that it permanently deletes diagnostic and support data collected every 25 hours.

Microsoft Edge VPN: Features

You already know that VPN is a networking technology that allows you to securely extend a local area network to a public network, such as the Internet. Very useful in companies for office connections, technical services or remote access, it is also used at the consumer level to improve privacy, circumvent regional locks or prevent censorship. Its use in consumption has increased exponentially in recent years, and today there is a wide range of paid services, both free and part of web browsers.

In practice, this is a point-to-point virtual connection hide the user’s IP address and redirect Internet traffic through an encrypted VPN tunnel. This degree of “invisibility” offers direct security enhancements against cyber-attacks, privacy against data theft and identity theft, and other added benefits that every user can take advantage of.

Microsoft Edge VPN traffic should not be too different from other features, such as:

• connection encryption– Encrypts Internet connections to help protect user data from online threats.
• Secure network and connection. User data is routed from the Edge through an encrypted tunnel to establish a secure connection, even when using an insecure HTTP URL. This makes it difficult for hackers to access browsing data on a shared public Wi-Fi network.
• Help prevent online tracking. By encrypting web traffic directly from Microsoft Edge, Microsoft helps prevent ISPs from collecting browsing data, such as details about the sites users visit.
• Keeps the user’s location private. Online entities can use a user’s location and IP address to profile and deliver targeted ads. Microsoft Edge Secure Network allows users to browse with a virtual IP address that masks users’ IPs and replaces their geographic location with a similar regional address, making it harder for online trackers to track users as they browse.
• Free use. Microsoft will offer 1 GB of data for free per month.
• The service will be powered by Cloudflare.

Microsoft Edge VPN is expected to be included in the next version of the browser. Once Microsoft implements it, a new item will be available in the general settings menu in the upper right corner of the browser. Users will need to sign in with a Microsoft ID to activate it. The shield icon will indicate whether the service is active and this feature automatically shuts off when the user closes the Edge window. Microsoft promises to permanently delete diagnostic and support data every 25 hours.

Microsoft will limit free service for 1 GB of data per month and did not mention whether it would later offer a subscription model that would allow users to extend it. There are more complete commercial (as well as free) VPN services, but Microsoft will play into the card’s integration and ease of use by clicking a button from the same browser without having to install add-ons or additional applications.