Mozilla is testing Firefox VPN, a browser-only free VPN

Mozilla is prepping a new VPN service called Firefox VPN. This will protect all traffic in the browser.

Mozilla has a VPN called, Mozilla VPN. It's basically Mullvad VPN. So, what's Firefox VPN. Well, unlike Mozilla VPN, which is a systemwide protection, Firefox VPN is said to be a browser-only VPN, so it won't protect web traffic from other apps on your computer.

A few months ago, Windows Report's Venkat discovered that Mozilla began testing something called Firefox IP Protection. It was laying the foundation for Firefox VPN. This is being tested currently, and is available for few users. A new article by Windows Report says that once the VPN is available, you will see an option on the toolbar, and will be prompted to sign in to your Mozilla account to set up the VPN. This experimental VPN will route your traffic through a server located in the U.S. Things are likely to change in the future, as it is still in beta. Don't like it? You will be able to disable the feature from the browser.

Image courtesy: Windows Report

Is there a way to test Firefox VPN? The short answer is no. I enabled the browser.ipProtection.enabled flag in about:config, but it doesn't seem to do anything. I also tried searching for further VPN flags in about:config, and in about:studies, but couldn't find it in Firefox stable, beta and nightly channels on Linux and on a Windows 11 VM. After discussing this Venkat in a personal chat, I've come to the conclusion that there is no away around the Nimbus rollout, which is completely automated and randomized.

To learn more about Firefox VPN, I began looking around Bugzilla, and found a GitHub page that indicates that the IPP Add-on Activator extension that was introduced in the Firefox 143 branch, which we are on currently.

Bugzilla has several reports about IP Protection, one of which reveals a plan for a new section to manage Firefox VPN from the browser's Settings. It looks like users will be able to configure the VPN to be used on a per-site-basis, or choose to encrypt all traffic in Firefox, except for some that you may blacklist. There are plans to set the VPN to auto-start with the session, or only turn it on in Private Browsing mode.

The "upgrade to Mozilla VPN" option is also interesting, which all but confirms that Firefox VPN will be free.

Here's another listing that showcases the site management panel for Firefox VPN.

It will surely have some restrictions such as data limits, fewer server locations, compared to Mozilla's VPN. Mozilla wants Firefox to become "the best VPN-integrated browser on the market". As for its privacy policy, Firefox VPN will collect some technical data, including the connection quality, bandwidth usage for improving its service. It will not log your browsing history. I wouldn't be surprised if this is some sort of collaboration with Mullvad.

Opera, Microsoft, Brave, and even Vivaldi (Proton VPN) have a built-in VPN. Why not Firefox? It shouldn't be a problem as long as it is optional.

What do you think?

Source