Microsoft has been promoting Edge Secure Network as of late, a built-in “VPN” solution for the Edge browser that’s intended to improve privacy and security while browsing the web. No extra apps, no subscriptions. Just free VPN support built right into Microsoft Edge. Turn on Secure Network VPN and browse with more confidence. Learn more: https://t.co/lfkkWJJpJG … pic.twitter.com/sMVmy7hAp7 — Microsoft Edge (@MicrosoftEdge) February 11, 2026 According to Microsoft, it “uses VPN technology to stop third parties and bad actors from accessing your sensitive information, so you can make purchases online, fill out forms, and keep your browsing activity away from prying eyes.” But that description of the feature was recently lambasted by Sooraj Sathyanarayanan on social media : I did a comprehensive security analysis of Microsoft Edge's "Secure Network VPN." Here's what's actually going on under the hood. Edge Secure Network is NOT a VPN. It's an HTTP CONNECT proxy built on Cloudflare's Privacy Proxy Platform. It only tunnels traffic inside the Edge… https://t.co/YkW0YE22bc — Sooraj (@iAnonymous3000) February 18, 2026 Sathyanarayanan, a cybersecurity and privacy researcher who works at Brave Software, writes: “Edge Secure Network is NOT a VPN. It’s an HTTP CONNECT proxy built on Cloudflare’s Privacy Proxy Platform. It only tunnels traffic inside the Edge browser. Every other application on your system, DNS queries, email clients, background services, OS updates, everything outside Edge is completely exposed.” To use Edge Secure Network, users must also be logged in with their Microsoft accounts, which could pose a threat to personal privacy. However, according to Microsoft, Cloudflare does not have access to users’ identities despite traffic flowing through its platform, nor will the partner inspect the traffic itself, reports Windows Latest .