Best VPNs for Microsoft Edge

Microsoft Edge security and privacy concerns

It’s no question that Microsoft Edge was a significant jump from Internet Explorer. However, although Microsoft states that its users’ privacy is essential, it’s been uncovered that by default, Microsoft Edge is not actually that private.

When a user connects to a website, Microsoft Edge will communicate with Windows Defender SmartScreen to protect you from phishing and malware. The information sent includes the visited website’s full URL as well the user’s security identifier, which is unique to every single Windows user account. In other words, Microsoft Edge has been sending our complete URLs to Microsoft servers, including our non-anonymous account IDs.

Although the risk is mitigated by having this information sent through a secure connection which would require a man-in-the-middle attack to intercept it, it’s still concerning.

Nonetheless, there are ways to bypass this privacy concern through Edge’s configuration where you can disable SmartScreen. Of course, it’s crucial to take into account that this makes you completely vulnerable, making both a good antivirus and a great VPN imperative for protecting your computer from malware.

To disable SmartScreen, you need to click on the three dots at the top right of Edge, go to definitions, scroll down, and click on advanced configurations. Here, you can change the typical browser settings regarding cookies, history, password management, and more, and in the very end, you will have the option to disable Windows Defender SmartScreen.

VPN for Microsoft Edge browser

Although it’s possible to tweak Microsoft Edge’s configurations to increase the amount of privacy security, there are always different threats which the browser is not able to protect you from. Moreover, by disabling Windows Defender SmartScreen, you are exposing yourself to malware and phishing attacks, making it essential to use a VPN. Combining your preferred privacy settings with a good VPN is the best way to be as secure as possible while safeguarding your valuable information from unwanted eyes.

Contrary to other browsers, Microsoft Edge does not have any VPN extensions available, meaning you will have to install a desktop VPN, turn it on, and leave it running in the background, which isn’t actually a big deal since it’s better to have a desktop app rather than a VPN browser extension.

While using a mobile device, security is even more critical since it’s more likely to use public, open Wi-Fi networks. Therefore, while using Microsoft Edge (or any other browser for that matter) on mobile, it’s imperative to use a VPN service. That’s why most VPN providers have mobile applications that you can easily find on both Android and Apple app stores.

Recommended VPNs for Microsoft Edge