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Mozilla is officially launching its\u00a0Firefox Private Network VPN service for desktop users in the US.<\/p>\n
The VPN service, currently in beta, is part of a pilot experiment to test-drive new, privacy-centric products from the Firefox maker. It will be available as a separate browser add-on.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Firefox Private Network is an extension which provides a secure, encrypted path to the web to protect your connection and your personal information anywhere and everywhere you use your Firefox browser,\u201d Mozilla said.<\/p>\n
The VPN currently works only on desktops, but is expected to be available on mobile platforms as well once it exits beta.<\/p>\n
Firefox VPN operates just like any other VPN service. It will encrypt all your web traffic through a collection of remote proxy servers, thereby anonymizing your true location and protecting your data from prying eyes. Using a VPN, however, will neither keep your browsing habits anonymous nor will it add an additional layer of security.<\/p>\n
To meet those anonymity and security requirements, you should switch to Tor browser, and ensure you\u2019re always connecting to websites using HTTPS as opposed to HTTP.<\/p>\n
Mozilla\u2019s proxy servers are provided by web infrastructure and security company Cloudflare, citing its \u201cstrong privacy controls\u201d that limit data collection and retention.<\/p>\n
Although the service is free during the beta phase, it\u2019s expected to be the company\u2019s first paid offering since CEO Chris Beard confirmed the company\u2019s plans for a premium version of Firefox back in June.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s worth noting here that Opera offers a similar built-in free VPN service that lets users switch to a different geographical location to route their web traffic. But you may want to consider paying for a VPN, as a\u00a0free model will almost certainly rely on collecting data on your habits to offset the cost.<\/p>\n
Mozilla primarily makes money off Google being the default search engine on Firefox. But the\u00a0post-Cambridge Analytica privacy climate has emboldened the company to seek out a variety of revenue models, including running a limited partnership with ProtonVPN, and roll out privacy-focused tools and products.<\/p>\n
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