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

Best Warzone VPN: how to get easy lobbies by avoiding SBMM
By Krishi Chowdhary last updated
VPN A VPN for Warzone is the perfect tool for bagging more kills and avoiding SBMM. Here the top 5 Warzone VPNs on the market today.

PrivadoVPN Free review
By Kristin Hassel last updated
PrivadoVPN Free gives you more servers to choose from than most free VPNs, but you may be a bit disappointed that not all of its advanced features are available for every OS.

Windscribe VPN Free review
By Michael Simon last updated
Windscribe’s free plan is one of the best on the market, and it’s a strong option for streaming, torrenting, and private browsing, but it still has some areas for improvement

The best Iran VPN
By Krishi Chowdhary last updated
VPN Avoid widespread censorship facing citizens and travelers in Iran by using our top 5 Iran VPN choices.

Best TikTok VPN: evade bans and access anywhere
By Mo Harber-Lamond last updated
VPN Despite the TikTok ban being delayed, demand for the best TikTok VPN is still high. Here are the ones we trust the most.

Is it really worth upgrading from Windscribe Free?
By Olivia Powell published
With a generous data limit, excellent privacy features and decent speeds, Windscribe Free is a great option for those who want a VPN without the price tag. Is there any reason to upgrade?

The best Indonesia VPN
By Krishi Chowdhary last updated
vpn The best Indonesia VPN is the perfect tool for avoiding censorship and streaming more content wherever you are. Here's our top 5.

How to watch overseas content with a VPN
By Olivia Powell last updated
vpn If geo-blocking is preventing you from watching your favorite shows, learn how to use a VPN to watch content from overseas.

Windscribe VPN review
By Esat Dedezade last updated
Windscribe's free plan, customizable pricing, and privacy tools make it a great option – but its malware protection, apps, and chat support leave something to be desired

Free Android VPNs: the best safe, functional options
By Krishi Chowdhary last updated
VPN There are countless free Android VPNs out there, and a huge amount aren't legit. Here, we run down those that are worth using.

Free Netflix VPNs: are they worth downloading and which ones are good?
By Mo Harber-Lamond last updated
VPN Free Netflix VPN services can't compete with paid VPNs, but there's at least one that's surprisingly effective.

The best Roku VPN in 2025
By Mo Harber-Lamond last updated
VPN A Roku VPN can take time to set up, but once it's up and running you'll have access to tons of extra content. Here's our complete guide.

The best Turkey VPN
By Mo Harber-Lamond last updated
VPN Using a Turkey VPN is the easiest way of avoiding the country's strict surveillance and content blocking – plus you can stream more, too.

Private Internet Access review
By Chris Hall 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.

The best VPN for ChatGPT in 2025
By Tom Bailey last updated
VPN Want access to ChatGPT from anywhere – even if it's banned in your country, school, or office? I've got you. Here are my top five ChatGPT VPNs.

The best UAE VPN for Dubai in 2025
By Mo Harber-Lamond last updated
vpn A UAE VPN for Dubai is the only way of accessing WhatsApp and censored sites in the Emirates. Here are the very best on the market.

What is NordLocker?
By Catherine Hiley published
Everything you need to know about NordLocker, the encrypted cloud storage service from the creators of NordVPN

What is World Quantum Day?
By Aleksandar Stevanović published
Everything you need to know about World Quantum Day, from how it started to the impact quantum technology could have on you and your privacy

What can someone do with my IP address?
By Aleksandar Stevanović published
Leaving your IP address publicly available can be dangerous. Here's why.

Proton VPN review
By Olivia Powell last updated
VPN Proton VPN is a very capable VPN, and will appeal to those looking for a more techy experience. However, it can't quite match the best of the best.

Get Surfshark for less than $2 per month with this Spring Black Friday deal
By Olivia Powell published
To kick off its birthday celebrations, Surfshark has dropped the price of both its VPN and antivirus to the lowest we've seen since Black Friday

What is AES-256 encryption?
By Sam Dawson published
Everything you need to know about this super-secure encryption protocol

What is ExpressVPN's ID Theft Insurance?
By Catherine Hiley published
ExpressVPN's latest offering aims to protect your identity online, but how does it work?
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