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

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.

Today is the last day you can save 78% on all NordVPN plans
By Olivia Powell published
NordVPN's exclusive Tom's Guide deal drops two-year plans to start at $2.88 a month – including four months free

Best Roblox VPN: unblock Roblox and get access in banned countries
By Krishi Chowdhary last updated
VPN A Roblox VPN is the easiest way to get access in countries where the game is banned. Here are our top five best Roblox VPNs today.

What the App Store Accountability Act means for age verification
By Krishi Chowdhary published
The ASAA requires app stores to verify users’ age along with parental consent for minors before allowing access to apps, raising security woes.

Windscribe's new features give you more control over your IP address
By Krishi Chowdhary published
Learn how Windscribe’s new IP Pinning and Rotation features help you maintain consistent IPs, switch instantly when needed, and reduce CAPTCHAs and login issues.

ExpressVPN supercharges connection speeds with Fastest Connections
By Olivia Powell published
ExpressVPN has introduced two new updates that aim to make connections faster and more streamlined than before

Online age verification in the USA – a complete timeline
By Olivia Powell last updated
A full timeline of all the age verification laws in the United States, and what they mean for their citizens

The ultimate guide to VPNs: everything you need to know
By Michael Simon last updated
Our complete guide to VPNs covers everything you wanted to know about VPNs but were too afraid to ask.

Are lifetime VPN subscriptions worth it? Cyber Monday insights
By Olivia Powell last updated
We look at the benefits and drawbacks of getting a lifetime VPN this Cyber Monday

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.

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 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 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 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.

The best US VPN in 2025
By Olivia Powell last updated
VPN We've tested dozens of VPNs to determine which are the best VPNs for the United States in terms of speed, security and streaming support

The best cheap VPN in 2025
By Mo Harber-Lamond last updated
VPN We've tested dozens of VPNs and evaluated how much they cost to bring you a definitive ranking of the top 5 best cheap VPNs, including Surfshark, NordVPN, and Private Internet Access

Bag 4 months extra free with Private Internet Access' Black Friday VPN deal
By Olivia Powell last updated
Grab a 28-month PIA subscription this Black Friday for less than $50 – that works out to just over $2 per month
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