Firefox 149 was launched by Mozilla, incorporating a VPN directly into the browser for added privacy, offering users up to 50GB of data usage each month.

This feature functions by directing only browser traffic through a protected proxy, differing from Mozilla’s subscription-based Mozilla VPN, which protects all device traffic.

“This feature is an easy way to ensure privacy and protection whether you are on public Wi-Fi, researching sensitive topics, or making personal purchases online,” Mozilla states.

“After logging in and activating the feature, your location and IP address are masked by routing your browsing through a secure proxy.”

Users who have a Mozilla account will receive 50 GB of VPN data per month, and will be notified in the browser when they are close to reaching their limit.

The VPN can be enabled using a switch located at the top right corner of the browser. Users can also choose to limit VPN use to a maximum of five specific sites to conserve data.

To prevent issues with account logins and ensure proper VPN reconnection, some sites and key services are excluded from being routed through the VPN.

Mozilla has stated that they will only gather technical details that are necessary to maintain the new service’s stability and performance, as well as data about usage to understand how it’s being used.

“Information we might collect includes whether a connection was successful or failed, or how much data was used on a particular day,” the company clarified.

The proxy server is situated in the U.S. and is selected based on location and performance to ensure optimal user experience.

The rollout of the built-in VPN has started today, and is going out in stages to users in the U.S., UK, Germany, and France. There are currently no plans to extend the service to other countries.

Firefox 149 also includes Split View, a feature already available in Google Chrome, which allows users to arrange tabs side-by-side within one browser window. Mozilla outlines potential uses such as planning, comparisons, note-taking, and minor administrative tasks like filing taxes.

In addition, Firefox will now automatically stop notifications and remove permissions from sites identified as harmful by the ‘SafeBrowsing’ security system.

Firefox 149 also addresses a number of security flaws, fixing 46 identified issues in total. More than half were categorized as high severity, with several being user-after-free errors, out-of-bounds issues, JIT engine vulnerabilities, and vulnerabilities that allow escape from the security sandbox.