Mozilla unveils $4.99/month subscription-based VPN, says it won't hang onto user logs
- Reference: 1594818012
- News link: https://www.theregister.co.uk/2020/07/15/mozilla_unveils_a_subscriptionbased_vpn/
- Source link:
For a mere $4.99 a month, and with no long-term contract needed, Mozilla's WireGuard-based VPN service has emerged from beta testing and is ready for action, according to the company.
The benefits of using a VPN are manifold: a layer of security is added when you hop onto public Wi-Fi, users can be made a little more anonymous while browsing, and activities such as messaging are secured.
There are also multiple free and paid options already out there, meaning Mozilla is hoping that slapping its brand on its own version will be what makes it stand out in a crowded marketplace.
The Firefox maker was also keen to talk up the performance of its service, which it attributed to the use of WireGuard, the size of which is "less than a third of the average VPN service provider", Moz said. [3]WireGuard itself put in an appearance in the Linux kernel [4]earlier this year and aims to be both "as easy to configure and deploy as SSH" while also "designed with ease-of-implementation and simplicity in mind."
As well as its small size making audits easier, WireGuard also straddles platforms besides Linux, with implementations including Windows, macOS, Android and iOS. Its developers have made the modest claim that "it might be regarded as the most secure, easiest to use, and simplest VPN solution in the industry."
And so here we are.
Moz's take has slapped on a simple-to-use interface, familiar to those that have used other VPN services, which allows a user to select their location and turn the thing on. Up to five devices may be connected and Mozilla laid claim to over 280 servers in 31 countries. Sounds great, until one considers that rival [5]ExpressVPN has managed to cover 94 countries. Still, "by choosing Mozilla VPN," the Firefox maker insisted, "you are contributing to a mission-driven organization and our pledge for a healthy internet."
What could be finer?
Things are a little limited in terms of platform. Windows 10 and Android versions are available, with iOS on the way. A spokesperson told The Register : "We are actively making improvements to our beta iOS VPN client and working with Apple on approval."
Mac and Linux flavours are "coming soon", it added, and an extension for the company's Firefox browser is also in beta, replete with 12 hours of free access per month through the Firefox Private Network, although the service remains US-only at the moment.
The company insisted that, in terms of data, it is only focusing on what it needs to make the service work and will not be keeping user logs. It pointed to its Data Privacy Principles and sniffed: "We don't partner with third-party analytics platforms who want to build a profile of what you do online." So there. ®
Get our [6]Tech Resources
[1] https://www.theregister.com/2020/01/16/mozilla_job_cuts/
[2] https://www.theregister.com/2020/06/19/mozilla_vpn_coming_soon/
[3] https://www.wireguard.com/
[4] https://www.theregister.com/2020/01/29/wireguard_vpn_will_be_in_linux_56_kernel
[5] https://www.expressvpn.com/
[6] https://whitepapers.theregister.com/
Bad timing, sigh
I'd like to support Mozila, but I finally gave in and got ProtonVPN (not that I actually have anything to hide, I'm just making myself feel a bit better) about 2 months ago. So, two months too late, really.
Re: Bad timing, sigh
You can get a VPS for $2-3 pm, bung on OpenVPN and you are in control. Oh and use it for other stuff too if you don't need to proxy thru random countries.
Re: Bad timing, sigh
That's all well and good but then all of your traffic can still be tracked and tied back to you with a public IP address. Using a shared VPN service means that your traffic gets combined with others.
(not to mention that if you're doing it to save money, your argument only makes sense if the amount of time you will spend configuring OpenVPN is worth less to you than $2/month)
Endpoint stickiness
What would be of even greater utility would be if one could associate a specific VPN or VPN configuration with a container and/or web site and/or tabs.
I could then become even more elusive by funnelling, say, the facebook container's traffic through outer east Nowhere-land.
Re: Endpoint stickiness
Great idea. I find FF containers invaluable for separating work and personal accounts on the same service, enabling me to login to both simultaneously. Being able to set a specific VPN config for a container would be really useful.
Advertised VPNs?
Are you serious? Naw, no, we don't share no data, no way, no how.
Months later, Ah, well um, I guess our marketing department promised something, something... shared something, contractually bound... it is all quite legal, we have it on paper!
Re: Advertised VPNs?
When has Mozilla done that, historically speaking?
TBird
But what ever happened to the plans to boost Thunderbird's budget? I recall some idea tossed around for them to host email services (and it would be worthwhile to go with them for the service if it ensures the Thunderbird email client stays around). Right at this point I'm actually more worried about them than Firefox.
Coverage?
HMA (Hide My Ass) VPN has 1000+ servers in 190+ countries.
PureVPN has 2000 servers in 140+ countries.
I use PureVPN for various things, including getting a fixed IP (small extra charge). Their 5-year plan works out at 99c/month! Connecting can be a bit slow at times, though.