
Olivia Powell
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

Will the UK government ban VPNs?
By Joe Chivers published
As UK residents turn to VPNs to get around the Online Safety Act, concerns that VPNs will be banned have bene raised

We asked 4 VPN experts which VPNs they use – and the results surprised us
By George Phillips last updated
Here at Tom's Guide, the VPN team spend all day writing about VPNs. But which providers do we actually use? The team shares their favourite VPNs and why they like them.

Why is Spotify asking for age verification?
By Olivia Powell published
The Online Safety Act in the UK means that Spotify is now required to verify users' ages if they want to access 18+ content.

What is NordVPN's new Scam Call Protection feature?
By Aleksandar Stevanović published
NordVPN's new scam call protection features aims to stop you from getting scammed by detecting phishing calls before you pick up the phone

What is AgeGO, and is it safe to use?
By Olivia Powell published
With new age verification laws in the UK, many people are considering AgeGO to verify their age. But is it safe to use?

What are the UK's new age verification laws?
By Olivia Powell last updated
What are the UK's new age verification laws, and how are users trying to avoid them?

The top 3 cybersecurity risks posed by the Online Safety Act and age verification
By Olivia Powell published
From data breaches to the US government getting its hands on your data – all the cybersecurity risks posed by the Online Safety Act

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 best UK VPN
By Olivia Powell last updated
VPN Discover the best UK VPNs for privacy, streaming and speed – I've tested the best services out there and these are my 5 favorites right now.

The cheapest monthly VPN plans in 2025
By Mo Harber-Lamond last updated
A cheap monthly VPN is great for trialing a new provider, avoiding commitment, or accessing apps on vacation. Here are the very best monthly VPNs from our testing.

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 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

Best VPN free trial in 2025
By Olivia Powell last updated
VPN free trials can help you get an idea for what a VPN service is like without committing, but which is the best one?

The best Egypt VPN
By Aleksandar Stevanović last updated
VPN We've tested the top VPNs for use in Egypt. Here are the 5 best for speed, security, and streaming, plus expert advice on which one suits you best.

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

Hide.me Free review
By Lloyd Coombes published
Hide.Me Free is okay for light browsing, but its throttled speeds make it difficult to recommend when there are more flexible free services around

The best Android VPN in 2025
By Mo Harber-Lamond last updated
VPN Protect your Android device and make the most of your streaming subscriptions with the best Android VPNs in 2025.

Best free iPhone VPN app in 2025
By Mo Harber-Lamond last updated
VPN There are tons of free iPhone VPNs on the App Store – but only a handful are safe to use. Here are the very best free VPNs for iPhone that I've tested.

Upgrade your online protection for less than $1 with this Prime Day VPN deal
By Olivia Powell published
NordVPN is even offering Amazon gift cards worth up to $50

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

Is NordVPN's Threat Protection Pro worth it?
By Zoran Danilovic published
NordVPN's Threat Protection Pro offers you antivirus-like protection along with a VPN and password manager

Why a VPN is essential for summer travel
By Krishi Chowdhary published
Discover why a VPN is a must-have for summer travel – for streaming, security, and staying connected everywhere.

Is upgrading your NordVPN plan worth it?
By Aleksandar Stevanović published
NordVPN's Prime Day discount plus a free Amazon gift card worth up to $50 makes upgrading more worth it than ever
Here at Tom’s Guide our expert editors are committed to bringing you the best news, reviews and guides to help you stay informed and ahead of the curve!