The feature will no longer be available starting Feb. 28. Microsoft wants to focus on “new areas that will better align to customer needs.”

Microsoft 365’s built-in VPN is being discontinued. Here are the best alternatives, accounting for speed, security, and privacy, to keep your browsing safe.

Microsoft has announced the removal of its free VPN feature, known as “Privacy Protection,” from the Microsoft Defender app for Microsoft 365 Personal and Family subscribers. The change took effect on February 28,

The tool allowed users to encrypt their internet traffic and hide their IP address when using untrusted networks.

Subscribers still get device protection and ID theft and credit monitoring features, but Microsoft is ditching the VPN feature to focus on 'areas that will better align to customer needs.'

Microsoft is getting ready to remove the VPN feature from its Microsoft 365 subscription later this month. Originally designed as a privacy feature, the VPN in Microsoft 365 utilizes the Microsoft Defender app to encrypt internet traffic and hide IP addresses.