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

Microsoft adding free built –   virtual private network ( VPN ) service   Edge browser bid improve security privacy , Microsoft support page is revealed 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 is adds adds Cloudflare collect support diagnostic information service , company permanently rid data 25 hours .

feature development available early testing , Microsoft is detailed detailed users try preview . That is suggests suggests roll soon   Microsoft Edge Insider channels , users download join .

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

Click on “Secure Network” to turn the VPN service on. Image: Microsoft

At that point, users will be prompted to sign in to or create a Microsoft Account. After doing so, a solid shield icon will appear in the browser frame, indicating Microsoft’s Edge Secure Network is now turned on. It will turn off after the user closes the browser.

Microsoft is one of many browsers that offer some kind of VPN service. Opera comes with a free one as well, but more popular browsers like Mozilla only offer a paid VPN service, as does Google Chrome, thereby potentially help improving Edge’s value proposition.