Mozilla launches first ever VPN, Kiwis amongst first to access

Mozilla has launched its first VPN and New Zealand is one of six countries able to access it.

New Zealanders will be amongst the first in the world to get access to the new Virtual Private Network, which is available on Windows.

A subscription to the service is priced at US$4.99 per month (approx. NZ$7.64), and no long-term contracts will be required.
The subscription protects up to five devices.

"With millions of workers now working online and people spending more time at home, internet usage has reportedly jumped by as much as 75% in the past few months. The increase in reliance on home networks presents an opportunity for people to review their online security and privacy. How to stay safe online has become part of the new normal discussion," Mozilla says.

The Mozilla VPN helps people control their digital privacy. It encrypts users' devices adding an extra layer of protection to protect users' personal data and information.

"For example, it makes online transactions more private by masking users' IP addresses and locations. The added layer of protection also makes communicating and making video calls with family and friends more secure," the company says.

"In a market crowded by companies making promises about privacy and security, it can be hard to know who to trust. Mozilla has a reputation for building products that help users keep their information safe.

"The Mozilla VPN is based on modern and lean technology, the WireGuard protocols 4,000 lines of code, is a fraction in size of legacy protocols used by other VPN service providers. When users switch on the Mozilla VPN, they will see an easy-to-use and simple interface designed for anyone who is new to VPNs, or those who want to simply turn it on and connect to the web."

The public launch follows a beta testing programme in 2019.

"Feedback from beta users made it clear that greater control over how their data was being shared within their network was critically important," Mozilla says.

"Mozilla's transparent Data Privacy Principles have guided the design of the Mozilla VPN, and it doesn't keep user data logs. Mozilla also does not partner with any third-party analytics platforms that build profiles of user behaviour," it says.

In addition to New Zealand, the Mozilla VPN is also available in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Singapore, and Malaysia. There are plans to expand to other countries this fall.