Mozilla tests free Firefox VPN
Mozilla is launching a second VPN project – this time free and only for Firefox. While the paid Mozilla VPN protects entire devices, the new Firefox VPN version is limited to the browser. The beta phase is currently running, and expansion is conceivable.
Mozilla tests free browser VPN
Mozilla has started beta testing for Firefox VPN, a free VPN feature that will be integrated directly into the Firefox browser. The company will randomly select users for the test phase over the next few months, according to a post on Mozilla Connect the company’s idea-sharing platform. The new feature is positioned next to the search bar in Firefox and routes web traffic through Mozilla-managed VPN servers. This hides the real IP address and adds a layer of encryption to communications. Firefox VPN only encrypts and routes traffic passing through Firefox, rather than protecting the entire device.
Differences to the paid Mozilla VPN
Firefox VPN is a completely different project than Mozilla VPN, a separate, paid product. The Firefox version will be free to use and limited to the browser, while Mozilla VPN can be used on up to five devices simultaneously. Mozilla VPN costs at least 4.99 euros per month and offers complete device protection for up to five devices on all major operating systems.
A Mozilla product team member said of the upcoming beta test: “We’ll start simple and then gradually add new features as we learn how it impacts browsing, usage, and overall satisfaction.” So the company plans to start with a basic VPN service and then further develop the feature based on user feedback.
Limited server selection
The small group of Firefox users selected for the feature will need a Mozilla account. The VPN location defaults to the best performing server. This means that US users will access US servers. Mozilla has not indicated whether it plans to allow users to choose VPN server location later in beta or when it officially launches. Regarding data collection, Mozilla stores user logs for three months and only collects “the technical data necessary to keep Firefox VPN reliable and secure.” For example, it could log whether a connection succeeded or failed, or that an account used two GB of data on a given day.
After three months, logs associated with the account are automatically deleted. However, Mozilla will never log the websites visited or the content of communications – the company says. With this approach, Mozilla is following a similar strategy to Opera, which has been offering an integrated VPN for years.
