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The report highlights that however, US security researcher Sooraj Sathyanarayanan has highlighted the limitations of this protection. Microsoft’s Edge browser comes with its own VPN, allowing users to protect their internet traffic from eavesdropping by routing it through an encrypted tunnel.
Industry observers note that everything else, such as emails sent through an email client, DNS queries from Window, or operating system updates, remains unencrypted. Essentially, Edge only encrypts traffic generated by the browser.
In a fresh development, fortunately, this can be changed. First, click on the cog icon in the bottom right-hand corner of Edge and open Settings. Sathyanarayanan also explains that, by default, Edge’s VPN only activates when you connect to an unsecured Wi-Fi network or visit an unencrypted HTTP website.
The report highlights that make sure the toggle next to Use Secure Microsoft Edge Network is flipped to On, then select the All Websites option below it. Next, go to Privacy, Search, and Services > Security and scroll down on the page.
As part of the ongoing story, if you route downloads and video streaming through the VPN, you’ll use up that allowance quickly. Keep in mind that Edge’s free VPN includes a monthly data allowance of 5GB.
As part of the ongoing story, for most people, however, a VPN isn’t necessary when browsing from a trusted home network.
In a fresh development, those will protect all of your PC’s data traffic. If you do need full-device protection, consider a paid VPN from a provider such as CyberGhost or NordVPN.
In a fresh development, this article originally appeared on our sister publication PC-WELT and was translated and localized from German.
In a fresh development, roland Freist is a freelance IT journalist covering topics related to Windows, applications, networks, security and the Internet.