Edge VPN

Question

In Edge Settings | Privacy, search, and services | Microsoft Edge Secure Network, I read of a "free" VPN, which might enable me to do banking when I am traveling abroad. Is it, in fact, safe and how can I set it up? Any advice will be greatly appreciated.

Answer 1

Hello, Grandpa Jim

Welcome to the Microsoft community.

Thank you for your feedback. I understand that you want to know about EDGE VPN related issues.

The Microsoft Edge browser does offer a feature called "Microsoft Edge Secure Network" (also known as "Edge VPN"), which is a free, browser-based virtual private network service. virtual private network service based on the browser. It is designed to provide users with a more secure connection to the Internet, especially when using public Wi-Fi, and to protect their data from being stolen by third parties.

Security: Microsoft Edge Secure Network is powered by Cloudflare, a well-known Internet infrastructure and web security company.Cloudflare has a good reputation for security and privacy, and Edge Secure Network should be a relatively secure option.

Setting up Edge Secure Network: To set up and use Microsoft Edge Secure Network, follow these steps:

First, make sure Secure Network is enabled in Microsoft Edge Settings:

Choose Settings and More > Privacy, Search, and Services, and then turn on the Microsoft Edge Secure Network toggle under Security.

Enable Microsoft Edge Secure Web in Edge Settings.

You can also turn this feature on or off in the browser summary:

Select "Settings" and "More > Basic Browser Information".

You can quickly open the browser summary from the Microsoft Edge taskbar by selecting the Heartbeat icon.

Open the browser summary in Microsoft Edge settings.

Access the Microsoft Edge secure network by selecting "Get a VPN for free" in the "Browser Basics" sidebar.

Note: If you are not signed in to your personal Microsoft account, you will be prompted to sign in or create an account.

Once you turn on Secure Web, you'll see a shield icon and a toggle switch in Browser Essentials-you're now browsing with more security and privacy.

You can refer to the following link for more details:

Use the Microsoft Edge Secure Network to protect your browsing - Microsoft Support

Usage recommendations:

Know the limitations:Edge Secure Network only protects your browser traffic. It does not provide VPN protection for your entire device, such as other apps or system-level connections.

Trusted Wi-Fi: You may not need to use a VPN on a private Wi-Fi network that you trust.

Since there is only a 5GB traffic limit per month, you may consider using a reputable paid VPN service if you exceed this limit, I can't give you a specific VPN due to community restrictions.

Please let me know if you have any other questions or if I haven't explained something clearly.

Best Regards,

Aaron| Microsoft Community Support Specialist

Answer 2

Question / clarification about Edge Secure VPN that i havent been able to find an answer to online, talking to tech support teams at Geek Squad, etc. - How can we block or prevent Edge Secure VPN from being used by non Admin user on a machine using Windows 11 + Microsoft 365 Home with Family Safety installed without blocking EDGE completely as a browser?

• If i know a specific App i can block that or a specific domain but i'm not aware of either of those applying to Edge Secure VPN. Otherwise I can block this way at the Microsoft Family Safety level or at the Router level.
• I can't even see in Edge or Windows Settings how to prevent it from being turned on by a non-admin user.

If my children turn it on then they can use the internet and our network without any supervision or safety. It surprises me that Microsoft would put his out as part of Edge and not put anything in the family safety app related to it or even instructions related to settings.

Thanks

Answer 3

Hello Aaron. Thank you very much for your detailed response to my query. We are planning a trip to the Balkans next month and I will go through the steps to set it up. I noticed that it is probably not necessary on our secured home network, and also that a more robust paid VPN may be preferred. I have heard of NORD, which I will consider.

As my dad used to say, "You're a gentleman and a scholar."

Regards, Grandpa