Microsoft 365 Boosts Security with Free Defender VPN

by do son · Published August 1, 2024 · Updated December 16, 2024

German interface of the Microsoft Defender VPN

Recently, Microsoft announced an expansion of the benefits for Microsoft 365 Personal and Family subscriptions, introducing the Microsoft Defender VPN service. This service, available for free, encrypts users’ internet traffic to prevent data theft.

Regrettably, the service is currently limited to the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, and Canada. Microsoft provides users with 50GB of free data per month, which resets at the start of each month without carrying over unused data.

When Microsoft Defender VPN is activated, it automatically channels traffic through an encrypted tunnel based on the software or services used by the user, such as YouTube, TikTok, Spotify, and WhatsApp.

The advantage of this approach is that even when users connect to public WiFi in hotels, cafes, or other public places, hackers find it difficult to intercept their traffic. Additionally, it helps users conceal their real IP addresses. This service is currently available on Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS, and users need to install the Microsoft 365 version of Microsoft Defender to enable the VPN. Note that this is not the Windows Security Center built into Windows 10/11; Microsoft Defender must be installed from the Microsoft Store, and users must log in with their Microsoft 365 subscription account.

Regarding data, Microsoft needs to collect the following to improve the service:

The duration the VPN is used.
The bandwidth that is used while the connection is active.
Wi-Fi hotspot names detected as malicious.

Overall, Microsoft Defender VPN is similar to Google’s Google One VPN, although the latter was only available on Pixel devices and has since been discontinued.

Microsoft’s strategy differs by offering the service for free with Microsoft 365 subscriptions, which not only attracts more subscribers but also broadens its applicability. Unlike Google, which shut down Google One VPN due to low usage, Microsoft’s approach avoids this pitfall.

Currently, there is no paid option for the service, meaning once the 50GB of data is used up, users must wait until the next month for the data to reset. It remains to be seen whether Microsoft will introduce a paid plan in the future.

Via: ghacks