Microsoft Defender: VPN to protect WLAN connections is coming to Germany

Microsoft is now bringing the VPN service for Microsoft Defender to Germany. The service is designed to secure surfing in insecure, open Wi-Fi networks, the Redmond-based company claims.

In a tech community post, a Microsoft employee writes that Microsoft Defender for Individuals, which requires a Microsoft 365 Family or Personal subscription, now has the VPN function in more countries. The Microsoft VPN is designed to protect privacy, even when users are on insecure, open Wi-Fi networks.

Microsoft Defender: new features

In recent months, Microsoft has been working on simplifying privacy protection. Automatic detection and notification of insecure Wi-Fi connections should contribute to this. The notification in the Defender app should enable the VPN connection to be activated immediately.

Privacy protection (VPN) is now available on all device platforms, explains Microsoft, on Android as well as iOS, macOS and Windows. The function is now available in Germany, the UK, Canada and the USA. Ten more countries in Asia, Europe and Latin America are to be added shortly.

Microsoft recognizes insecure WLANs based on weaker encryption, for example. In addition, a heuristic is responsible for classifying a Wi-Fi hotspot as suspicious based on several, undisclosed characteristics. The VPN can currently be activated with one click – The developers are currently working on automatically activating the VPN in public Wi-Fi networks.

The Microsoft Defender app is available to download from Apple's App Store, Google Play and Microsoft's Store. After installation, you will need to log in with your Microsoft 365 subscription access data.

However, free and open source alternatives are also available. If you own one of the popular Fritzboxes from AVM, you can set up a VPN with Wireguard. It's quick and easy, and apps are available for various platforms: Android, iOS, Linux, macOS and Windows.

(dmk)