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

Don't get scammed this Black Friday – use this tool to spot fake shops
By Aleksandar Stevanović published
Fake shops surge around Black Friday – here's how a VPN with added security tools can help you avoid scams and stay safe while hunting for deals.

How to switch VPN providers
By Olivia Powell last updated
This step-by-step guide includes everything you need to know about switching VPN providers

Proton VPN's Black Friday deal blows NordVPN and ExpressVPN out of the water
By Olivia Powell last updated
Proton VPN has introduced a new deal for its Proton VPN Plus subscription, dropping the price to less than $2.50 per month for a 24-month contract

Google issues official warning that VPN scams are on the rise — here's how to avoid them
By Aleksandar Stevanović published
Google's new scams advisory warns users about malicious VPN apps that impersonate real providers and install dangerous malware. Here's what to watch out for.

I'm not taking any risks this Black Friday – and Surfshark's credit card alerts are the perfect safety net
By Aleksandar Stevanović published
Black Friday bargains attract fraudsters too. Surfshark Alert warns you fast if your credit card data leaks, keeping deals safe.

Surfshark's Black Friday is practically giving its antivirus away – just $6 for two years of cover
By Kristin Hassel published
Surfshark's Black Frday deal has lowered the price of Surfshark One to just over $2 per month – netting you antivirus coverage for just $6 more per year

IPVanish collaborates with Amazon to prepare its launch-day-ready VPN app
By Olivia Powell published
IPVanish joins the ranks of VPNs that officially support Vega OS – when Amazon finally unlocks VPN support on Fire Stick Select devices.

Don't let scammers steal your email address this Black Friday – do this instead
By Kristin Hassel published
Surfshark’s Alternative ID helps protect your data as you browse for Black Friday deals, so you don’t have to share your personal information while you shop

If you're in Wisconsin, you should seriously consider using one of these 5 VPNs
By Michael Simon published
The top 5 best VPNs to use in the state of Wisconsin, ranked

IPVanish's Black Friday deal undercuts big rivals NordVPN and Proton VPN – and throws in 5GB of eSIM data for free
By Olivia Powell published
With IPVanish's Black Friday deal, you can get VPN protection, free eSIM data and even encrypted cloud storage, and all at over 80% off

Amazon cracks down on Fire Stick apps – could you be affected?
By Krishi Chowdhary published
Amazon is now blocking sideloaded streaming apps on Fire Stick at the device level, rendering VPNs ineffective. Here’s what’s changing and what users can do.

Why you need an iPhone VPN
By Krishi Chowdhary last updated
VPN Using a VPN on your iPhone is essential for privacy, security, and unrestricted streaming, whether you’re at home, at work, or on public Wi-Fi.

70% of Americans think antivirus will protect their online privacy – here's the real truth
By Kristin Hassel published
A survey has revealed that the majority of Americans have some worrying misconceptions about online safety, putting their data at serious risk

Age checks in the UK result in a 77% decrease in visits to adult sites – but does this mean age verification works?
By Olivia Powell published
Since the Online Safety Act was passed in the UK, visits to adult sites have reportedly decreased by 77%

3.4 billion phishing emails are sent every month – and Surfshark's new feature can help keep you safe
By Joe Chivers published
Surfshark has rolled out a new feature which aims to prevent phishing attacks by scanning users' emails

These ExpressVPN updates make it easier than ever to monitor your iPhone VPN connection
By Krishi Chowdhary published
ExpressVPN has enhanced its mobile VPN experience with two new features: Network Insights and Secure Device Assistant, making it easier to stay secure and connected.

"Protecting users is more important than ever" – NordVPN's new content filter is a real alternative to age verification
By Aleksandar Stevanović published
NordVPN's DNS-based content filters block adult sites before they load

Surfshark launches privacy-first web content blocker
By Aleksandar Stevanović published
Surfshark has launched a privacy-first web content blocker for Android and iOS, letting families filter online content by category without tracking browsing activity.

NordVPN's Times Square stunt lets New Yorkers "talk to a hacker"
By Aleksandar Stevanović published
NordVPN's "Talk to a Hacker" campaign in Times Square let people chat live with ethical hackers who uncovered their personal info in minutes – a stark reminder of online privacy risks.

NordVPN open-sources its Linux app's GUI and simplifies installation
By Aleksandar Stevanović published
NordVPN has now open-sourced its Linux GUI and added it to the Snap package for one-command installs and automatic updates

How to use a VPN for online gaming
By Joe Chivers published
A complete guide to using a VPN for online gaming, from why you may want to use a VPN for online gaming, to how to pick a VPN to any risks you need to look out for.

How to bypass VPN blocks and restrictions
By Joe Chivers published
All the most common ways VPNs can be blocked, and how to get around these restrictions

How to troubleshoot common VPN problems
By Joe Chivers published
From dropped connections to slow speeds, here's how to fix common VPN issues
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