Microsoft Edge will soon support browsing with VPN-like encryption through Cloudflare
Microsoft Edge looks set to gain a new feature for privately browsing the web.
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Updated April 28, 2022 at 1:45 PM ET:Microsoft Edge Secure Network is available for some Edge Canary users as part of a controlled rollout, according toLeo Varela. The original story follows.
What you need to know
Microsoft Edge will soon have the option to encrypt an internet connection to protect people’s privacy and information. Microsoft Edge Secure Network is a preview feature that is not yet available, even for Insiders. There is, however, asupport pagefor it on Microsoft’s website.
Microsoft Edge Secure Network is powered through a partnership between Microsoft and Cloudflare. As noted byXDA, Edge’s upcoming feature appears similar toCloudflare’s 1.1.1.1 service.
“When using Microsoft Edge Secure network, your data is routed from Edge through an encrypted tunnel to create a secure connection, even when using a non-secure URL that starts with HTTP,” reads Microsoft’s support page. “This makes it harder for hackers to access your browsing data on a shared public Wi-Fi network.”
Much like thebest VPNs, Microsoft Edge Secure Network helps prevent online tracking and keeps location information private. It’s unclear if the feature could be used to watch geo-locked content in a similar way to a VPN. Microsoft Edge Secure Network “replaces your geolocation with a similar regional address,” according to Microsoft.
Edge users will be able to use up to 1GB of data every month for free through Microsoft’s encryption tool.
While it’s not possible to try out Microsoft Edge Secure Network at this time, steps to enable it are already listed, suggesting that it may become available in the near future.
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Microsoft has several versions of its Edge browser for testing new and experimental features. A support document for the browser suggests that a new feature for privately browsing the web is on the way.
Sean Endicott is a tech journalist at Windows Central, specializing in Windows, Microsoft software, AI, and PCs. He’s covered major launches, from Windows 10 and 11 to the rise of AI tools like ChatGPT. Sean’s journey began with the Lumia 740, leading to strong ties with app developers. Outside writing, he coaches American football, utilizing Microsoft services to manage his team. He studied broadcast journalism at Nottingham Trent University and is active on X @SeanEndicott_ and Threads @sean_endicott_.
