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

How to protect your child online
By Krishi Chowdhary last updated
Cyber security Tom's Guide experts present you with the top software to keep your child safe online

ExpressVPN review
By Michael Simon last updated
Editor's ChoiceVPN In our complete ExpressVPN review, we run down this well-known VPN's features, apps and performance, and give our unbiased opinion of the service.

The best streaming VPN in 2026
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

NordVPN completes sixth no-logs audit – and once again it's proved your data is safe
By Aleksandar Stevanović published
NordVPN's no-logs policy has been independently verified for a sixth time, following a 2025 audit by Deloitte Lithuania.

Surfshark's new feature makes internet searching safer – here's what you need to know
By Andreas Theodorou published
Surfshark's new feature for its browser extension now includes data breach and malware alerts to make it easier for users to spot dangerous websites

NymVPN Review
By Michael Simon published
An innovative new provider with an impressive focus on anonymity but plenty of room for improvement

Surfshark has reduced Android support – here's what you need to know
By Krishi Chowdhary published
Surfshark drops Android 5.0 support. Learn why, which versions remain supported, and how legacy users can still stay protected.

JumpJump VPN review
By Kristin Hassel last updated
Review We take a look at one of the lesser well-known free VPN offerings and see if it's worth trusting with your personal data and browsing habits.

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

Mullvad completes third-party payment audit – here's what you need to know
By Aleksandar Stevanović published
Mullvad has completed a third-party audit of its payment systems, confirming no user data exposure despite five minor security findings.

Best VPN free trial in 2026
By Olivia Powell last updated
VPN free trials can help you get an idea for what a VPN service is like without committing. Here we've ranked the top five we've tested.

The best Linux VPNs in 2026
By Christian Cawley last updated
VPN A Linux VPN is the perfect way to upgrade the already-secure operating system – but choosing the right one can be tricky.

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.

The best mobile VPN apps in 2026
By Olivia Powell last updated
We've tested dozens of apps to determine the top 5 best mobile VPNs, including ExpressVPN, NordVPN and Surfshark

The best gaming VPN in 2026
By Mo Harber-Lamond last updated
VPN A gaming VPN is the simplest solution to avoiding DDoS attacks and network throttling. Here are my top 5, including NordVPN, ExpressVPN and Surfshark.

Best travel VPN in 2026
By Olivia Powell last updated
A travel VPN is an essential part of your digital luggage for accessing sites and streaming apps from home. We've ranked and reviewed the top five.

Windscribe forms privacy alliance to bring security tools to users
By Aleksandar Stevanović published
Windscribe has teamed up with four privacy-first services to build a decentralized toolkit for users who want more control over their digital lives

Proton VPN review
By Olivia Powell last updated
Editor's ChoiceVPN 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.

Best iPhone VPN for iOS in 2026
By Olivia Powell last updated
VPN We've tested dozens of VPNs on iPhone to bring you a definitive ranking of the top 5 best iOS VPNs, including ExpressVPN, NordVPN and Surfshark

The best US VPN in 2026
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 router VPN in 2026
By Krishi Chowdhary last updated
VPN We've tested all the very best router VPNs, and here we've rounded up our top 5 – with one provider even offering bespoke hardware.

The best iPad VPN in 2026
By Olivia Powell last updated
We've tested dozens of VPNs on iPad to bring you a definitive ranking of the top 5 best iPad VPNs, including ExpressVPN, NordVPN and Surfshark

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.
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