How Do I Turn On Secure Network in Edge?

Turning on Microsoft Edge Secure Network is a straightforward process that enhances your online privacy and security by encrypting your internet connection.

What is Microsoft Edge Secure Network?

Microsoft Edge Secure Network, powered by Cloudflare, acts as a virtual private network (VPN) service built directly into the Edge browser. It encrypts your data, helping to protect your personal information from prying eyes and masking your IP address from websites you visit. This feature is particularly useful when using public Wi-Fi networks, where security can be compromised.

Benefits of Using Secure Network

Enabling the Secure Network in Edge offers several key advantages:

Enhanced Privacy: It helps to hide your true IP address, making it more difficult for websites and advertisers to track your online activities.
Data Encryption: Your internet traffic is encrypted, safeguarding sensitive information like passwords, financial details, and browsing history from interception.
Protection on Public Wi-Fi: Provides an extra layer of security when connecting to unsecure public Wi-Fi hotspots, preventing potential eavesdropping.
Geo-unblocking: While not a full-fledged VPN, it can sometimes help bypass basic geo-restrictions by masking your location.

Step-by-Step Guide to Enable Secure Network in Edge

Follow these easy steps to activate Microsoft Edge Secure Network:

Open Microsoft Edge: Launch the Microsoft Edge browser on your computer.
Access Settings:
- Click the three horizontal dots (...) in the top-right corner of the browser window.
- From the dropdown menu, select "Settings".
- Tip: You can also type edge://settings into the address bar and press Enter.
Navigate to Privacy Settings:
- Once in Settings, locate the left navigation bar.
- Click on "Privacy, search, and services".
- If you don't see the left navigation bar, click on the "trip line" (three horizontal lines) next to "Settings" at the top-left to expand it.
Find the Security Section:
- Scroll down the "Privacy, search, and services" page until you find the "Security" section.
Activate Secure Network:
- Within the "Security" section, you will see the option for "Microsoft Edge Secure Network".
- Switch the toggle on to enable the feature.

Once activated, Edge will indicate that your network is secure, typically with a shield or VPN icon near the address bar.

Important Considerations

While Microsoft Edge Secure Network provides valuable security enhancements, it's important to note:

Limited Data Cap: It usually comes with a data cap (e.g., 1 GB per month), which means it's not designed for continuous, heavy usage.
Not a Full VPN Replacement: For advanced VPN features, server location selection, or bypassing strict geo-blocks, a dedicated third-party VPN service might be more suitable.
Browser-Specific: This feature only secures your internet traffic within the Edge browser, not for other applications on your device.

By following these steps, you can easily turn on the Secure Network feature in Microsoft Edge and enjoy a more private and secure browsing experience.