Why pay for a VPN? Firefox just added one for free

For years, getting any meaningful VPN protection meant signing up for a paid service or messing around with obscure free apps that often did more harm than good. Mozilla has just removed this dilemma for Firefox users by releasing a free, built-in VPN as part of the browser itself. The feature works quietly in the background, hides your IP address from the sites you visit, and asks for nothing in return. It’s a remarkable shakeup for a category long dominated by subscriptions.

Be aware that free VPNs can be dangerous. If they are not from a trusted supplier, they can put your data at risk or include vulnerabilities you wouldn’t find in some of the more popular paid VPN services.

In its post on Firefox 149 updates, Mozilla notes, « Free VPNs can sometimes mean sketchy arrangements that end up compromising your privacy, but ours is built on our data principles and commitment to being the world’s most trusted browser. »

In CNET’s tests, among VPN services that offer a free tierthe best free plan on the market is Free Proton VPN service. (It’s the only free VPN CNET currently recommends.) But Proton VPN’s free service lacks some features found in the company’s premium plan, such as the ability to manually select a server or connect multiple devices at once.

For limited or occasional use

Mozilla’s entire VPN technology has been independently audited by Cure53, has resolved security issues throughout its history, and uses WireGuard, giving it a solid foundation for security.

The browser-based free version may appear to offer the same level of overall protection as a standalone VPN. However, it only protects web traffic viewed through the Firefox browser.

« The main limitation is scope, » said Jacob Calvo, a cybersecurity expert and CEO of Live Proxies, which provides technical services to businesses and individuals. « (Free VPN for Firefox) only protects browser traffic, not apps, system processes, or other network activity. This creates a false sense of ‘full protection’ for less technical users. »

This can make it a useful feature for occasional use while surfing the web for those who don’t yet have a VPN service. And Kalvo says the 50GB data limit is generous for a browser-based VPN.

But, he said, for anything involving « sensitive data, competitive intelligence or large-scale operations, » he doesn’t recommend it.

« It’s more of a controlled, limited-use product than a complete privacy solution, » Calvo said.