Olivia joined Tom's Guide in October 2023 as part of the core Future Tech Software team, and is the Commissioning Editor at Tom's Guide. With a background in cybersecurity, Olivia is interested in how VPNs protect users' privacy, and how they improve online safety. She also regularly uses VPNs to make sure they deliver what they promise, and specializes in testing VPNs with streaming sites.
After graduating with a degree in English Literature from the University of Exeter, Olivia got her official start in journalism writing magazines for the events industry, writing for Exhibition News, Conference News, All Access, Exhibition World and Conference and Meeting World both in print and online. After this, she delved into the world of customer experience at CX Network, then the cybersecurity sector when she became Editor in Chief for Cyber Security Hub. This saw her create content from webinars to blogs to research reports on all things cybersecurity before finally ending up at Tom's Guide.
Olivia was also shortlisted for Security Serious' Unsung Heroes award in the Cyber Writer category in 2023.
When not writing about the latest in tech software, Olivia can be found reading mystery novels, watching the X-Files or doing valuable research in her quest to find the best Italian restaurant in London.
Latest articles by Olivia Powell

5 ways to prepare for your kid's first phone before wrapping it
By Kristin Hassel published
From parental controls to setting limits, these are the top 5 ways to protect your child on their new phone

Top scams to look out for over the holiday period – don't let the Grinch grab your data
By Krishi Chowdhary published
Holiday scams surge every year. Learn how to spot fake deals, phishing attempts, and other common scams, with practical tips to stay safe online.

The best Netflix VPN in 2025
By Olivia Powell last updated
VPN We've tested dozens of VPNs for Netflix, and here we round up the likes of NordVPN, Surfshark and ExpressVPN to find the very best Netflix VPN.

The fastest VPN services in 2025
By Olivia Powell last updated
We've tested dozens of VPNs to determine the top 5 fastest VPNs, including Proton VPN, NordVPN and Surfshark

The US TikTok ban – a full timeline
By Olivia Powell last updated
Every time TikTok has clashed with the US government, from COPPA violations to the potential ban

The best streaming VPN in 2025
By Olivia Powell last updated
VPN We've tested dozens of VPNs with streaming sites like Netflix and BBC iPlayer to bring you a definitive ranking of the top 5 best streaming VPNs, including NordVPN, Surfshark and ExpressVPN

Revolut Mobile and NordVPN team up for UK launch – unlimited data for just £12.50 per month
By Aleksandar Stevanović published
Revolut Mobile now includes a free NordVPN subscription, unlimited 5G, and 20GB of EU/US roaming data in its early-bird plan

Obscura VPN passes first independent audit
By Aleksandar Stevanović published
Obscura VPN has cleared its first independent security audit, with no major flaws found in its macOS app or core protocol

How to cancel NordVPN and get a refund
By Krishi Chowdhary last updated
Many VPNs offer a 30-day refund period, but how do you actually cancel NordVPN? Here, we explain everything you need to know.

How to cancel Private Internet Access and get a refund
By Krishi Chowdhary last updated
In this guide, I'll explain the simplest way to cancel your PIA subscription and receive a refund.

How to cancel Surfshark and get a refund
By Krishi Chowdhary last updated
Surfshark's 30-day refund period allows you to try it out risk-free before committing. Here's how you can cancel your Surfshark subscription.

How to cancel Proton VPN and get a refund
By Krishi Chowdhary last updated
Proton VPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, meaning you can get a full refund if you cancel in time. This guide will explain how to cancel and request a refund from Proton VPN.

How to cancel ExpressVPN and get a refund
By Krishi Chowdhary last updated
In this guide, I'll outline the steps to cancel your ExpressVPN subscription and request a full refund.

How to cancel CyberGhost and get a refund
By Krishi Chowdhary last updated
CyberGhost's has a generous 45-day refund period, so you have ample time to take it for a trial run. Should you want to cancel afterwards, here's how to do it.

NordVPN's new email protection feature can stop phishing in real time
By Krishi Chowdhary published
NordVPN’s new email protection feature visually flags malicious links in emails as soon as you open them, keeping you safe from scams, phishing, and malware.

ExpressVPN is doing dedicated IP differently – but does it make it worth it?
By Mindy Born published
ExpressVPN has put privacy at the forefront of its dedicated IP offering

TorGuard VPN review
By Kristin Hassel last updated
vpn Fast speeds and affordable pricing don’t make up for a lack of app upgrades and serious glitches

Private Internet Access review
By Michael Simon last updated
In my hands-on Private Internet Access review, we run down what the veteran provider is like to use, and where it needs improvement.

Norton VPN's latest fleet of upgrades gives users more control and faster connections
By Krishi Chowdhary published
Norton VPN rolls out new servers, encryption protocols, and a third-party audit for Mimic. Learn how these improvements enhance speed and privacy.

Is Australia banning Discord?
By Krishi Chowdhary published
Australia isn’t banning Discord yet, but future updates to its social media law could change that for under-16s as the government reviews more platforms.

Is Australia banning Roblox?
By Krishi Chowdhary published
Australia isn’t banning Roblox yet, but future updates to its social media law could change that for under-16s as the government reviews more platforms.

The best Australia VPN in 2025
By Krishi Chowdhary last updated
VPNs down under Whether you live Down Under or you're just visiting, an Australia VPN is the easiest way to access more streaming content and stay safe online.

Has Australia's social media ban been delayed?
By Aleksandar Stevanović published
Australia's under-16s social media ban kicks off on December 10. Despite pushback, there's no delay, and platforms like Meta are already complying.
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