A Web Browser Is Introducing a Complimentary VPN: Here's How It Affects You
The creators of a popular web browser are introducing an exciting new feature: a complimentary Virtual Private Network (VPN) integrated directly into the platform. This news comes as a confirmation of previous speculations.
Previously, the browser's VPN had been an independent paid product. Still, this latest update, labeled as version 149, makes it accessible in-browser, absolutely free for users located in the United States, United Kingdom, France, and Germany. The company has plans to extend this service to additional countries soon. The VPN will provide over 50 gigabytes of data per month at no charge, and it will be accessible starting Tuesday.
The Potential Risks of Free VPNs
Not all free VPNs are safe. If they are not from a trusted provider, they could jeopardize your data or have weaknesses that wouldn't be found in some of the top premium VPN services.
When announcing the updates in version 149, the company stated, "Free VPNs can sometimes lead to suspect arrangements that compromise your privacy, but ours is built on our principles of data and pledge to be the world's most trusted browser."
It's not yet known whether the company will seek any audit or certification for the free service. However, findings suggest that VPN audits don't always show that a service is fully secure.
Comparing To Other Free VPN Services
When it comes to VPN services offering a free tier, the top free plan available currently is from Proton VPN. But, the complimentary Proton VPN service lacks some features found on a premium plan, like choosing a server manually or connecting multiple devices simultaneously.
For Limited or Casual Use
The company's VPN technology has a solid security foundation, having undergone independent audits and resolved security issues over time. It uses WireGuard, a modern, high-performance protocol.
However, the browser-based free version might give the impression that it offers the same level of overall protection as a stand-alone VPN. That's not the case - it only safeguards web traffic viewed through the browser.
Jacob Kalvo, a cybersecurity expert and CEO of Live Proxies, which offers technical services to businesses and individuals, explained, "The primary limitation is scope. The free browser VPN only protects browser traffic, not apps, system processes, or other network activity. This creates a false sense of 'full protection' for less tech-savvy users."
This could be a handy feature for casual use while surfing the web for those who don't already have a VPN service. Kalvo points out that the 50GB data limit is quite generous for a browser-based VPN. But for anything involving sensitive data, competitive intelligence, or large-scale operations, he doesn't recommend it.
"This is a controlled, limited-use product rather than a complete privacy solution," Kalvo concluded.