the verge Microsoft is adding a "free" built-in VPN to its Edge browser

[UltraMega]

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Microsoft is adding a free built-in virtual private network (VPN) service to its Edge browser in a bid to improve security and privacy, a Microsoft support page revealed.

 

Called ”Edge Secure Network,” Microsoft is currently testing the Cloudflare-powered VPN service and says it will roll it out to the public as a part of a security upgrade.

 

When turned on, Edge Secure Network should encrypt users’ web traffic so internet service providers can’t collect browsing information you’d rather keep private, like, say, health-related searches or just plain bizarre queries.

 

The new feature will also let users hide their location by making it possible for them to browse the web using a virtual IP address. That also means users could access content blocked in their countries like, for instance, Netflix or Hulu shows.

 

There’s a catch for this free service, though. Data use is limited to 1GB per month, and users will need to be signed in to a Microsoft account so the company can, well, ironically track their usage.

 

Microsoft adds that while Cloudflare will collect support and diagnostic information from the service, the company will permanently get rid of that data every 25 hours.

 

While the feature is still under development and not yet available for early testing either, Microsoft detailed how users could try out a preview. That suggests it could roll out soon to one of the Microsoft Edge Insider channels first, which users can download and join here.

 

Once it does, you can try out the preview version by opening up Edge, heading to Settings and more, and clicking on Secure Network.

Microsoft is adding a free built-in VPN to its Edge browser

WWW.MSN.COM

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Edge Secure Network will roll out as a part of a security upgrade

 

I put the word "free" in quotations because 1 GB is hardly enough to do anything with, so really it just seems like a way to let people demo it before paying for it. I suppose it could have benefits to those in places where a VPN is more critical, though it seems like the Tor browser would be a much better option there. 

 

I wonder what it will cost. I suppose if it's really cheap it could be popular. 

Edited April 30, 2022 by UltraMega

[PCSarge]

edge is pretty poopoo. im still gonna avoid it

[Mr. Fox]

9 minutes ago, PCSarge said:

edge is pretty poopoo. im still gonna avoid it

Amen to that. I am not sure they are capable of doing anything that would make me want to use it. Which is probably why they are trying to ram up all of our butts whether we like it or not. They have really developed quite the talent for producing tacky bloatware. Skanky Windows 10/11 UI, Edge, UWP App Store filth and DCH/UWD driver feces... yup, quite the talent. Stand back... They're on a roll.

Edited April 30, 2022 by Mr. Fox

[UltraMega]

I use edge. Now that its chrome based and chrome extensions work with it, theres just no real reason to bother with chrome for me. I haven't had any issues with it. I actually use it on my phone too just so everything syncs up. 

[PCSarge]

1 hour ago, Mr. Fox said:

Amen to that. I am not sure they are capable of doing anything that would make me want to use it. Which is probably why they are trying to ram up all of our butts whether we like it or not. They have really developed quite the talent for producing tacky bloatware. Skanky Windows 10/11 UI, Edge, UWP App Store filth and DCH/UWD driver feces... yup, quite the talent. Stand back... They're on a roll.

in essence i dont mind the windows 11 UI, i've been forced to daily drive windows 11 due to work and school needs (software updates, bloody yay) but honestly, it is much faster in a bunch of things. 

 

when it comes to edge, microsoft is desperate. as they lost market share when IE was revamped circa windows XP already and theyre trying to claw it back

[ENTERPRISE]

Hmmm but how "Private" will this VPN be though. It begs the question whether or not your better off subscribing to a VPN service like Nord etc.  

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Microsoft adds that while Cloudflare will collect support and diagnostic information from the service, the company will permanently get rid of that data every 25 hours.

 

But will they ? What else do they collect beyond diagnostic data. 

 

Call me Mr Cautious. 

[UltraMega]

I feel like saying I used edge here is a bit like admitting to having an STD on a first date. 

[ArchStanton]

20 minutes ago, UltraMega said:

I feel like saying I used edge here is a bit like admitting to having an STD on a first date. 

If so, maybe I'll pass you at the Health Department.  

[Darkpriest667]

On 30/04/2022 at 01:59, ENTERPRISE said:

Hmmm but how "Private" will this VPN be though. It begs the question whether or not your better off subscribing to a VPN service like Nord etc.  

 

But will they ? What else do they collect beyond diagnostic data. 

 

Call me Mr Cautious. 

 

 

Probably a lot. They're using PCR 5 to collect boot success data and that is a big no no but they did it anyway.  If they give so little care about how a system can be secured, then I assume they really don't care about the browser any more than how much data can they collect and sell about you.