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Mozilla has initiated the beta testing phase for a new, built-in VPN feature within the Firefox browser, aiming to enhance user privacy and security by routing web traffic through Mozilla-managed VPN servers. The feature is currently experimental and will be available to a select group of users chosen at random over the coming months. Unlike the existing Mozilla VPN, which is a paid, standalone product supporting up to five devices, the new Firefox VPN is free and integrated directly into the browser, providing encryption and IP address concealment for browser traffic only. The VPN interface will appear beside the search bar, allowing users to easily enable or disable the feature. During the beta, the VPN server location will default to the one offering the best performance, typically aligning with the user's geographic region, such as US users being routed through US servers. This default setting means that users will not be able to access geo-restricted content from other countries, such as foreign Netflix libraries, at this stage. Mozilla has not yet confirmed whether server location selection will be available in future updates or upon full release. Participation in the beta requires users to register for a Mozilla account, and users retain the option to opt out of the test or remove the VPN feature from their toolbar at any time. Mozilla's long-term vision is to develop the most robust VPN-integrated browser on the market, with plans to expand the feature to mobile platforms after the desktop rollout. Feedback from the initial beta cohort will inform the gradual addition of new capabilities and improvements to the service. The company emphasizes user control and transparency, allowing easy re-enablement of the feature through the Add-ons and Themes menu. The introduction of this free, in-browser VPN is positioned as a significant step in Mozilla's ongoing efforts to prioritize user privacy and security. The beta test is designed to assess the impact of the VPN on browsing experience, usage patterns, and overall user satisfaction. Mozilla's approach differentiates the Firefox VPN from its paid offering by focusing on browser-level protection rather than device-wide coverage. The company has not provided a specific timeline for the formal rollout of the feature to all users. Early testers are encouraged to provide feedback to help shape the future development of the VPN integration. Mozilla's move reflects a broader industry trend toward embedding privacy-enhancing technologies directly into mainstream browsers. The company is responding to increasing user demand for built-in privacy tools that do not require additional subscriptions or third-party software. The beta phase will help Mozilla identify potential technical challenges and user experience issues before a wider release.
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Mozilla has introduced significant enhancements to its anti-fingerprinting technology in Firefox 145, initially available in Private Browsing Mode and Enhanced Tracking Protection's Strict setting. The new measures, described as 'Phase 2' protections, further restrict websites' ability to collect unique device and browser characteristics, such as local fonts, hardware details, processor core counts, touch capabilities, and dock or taskbar dimensions. These updates build on previous efforts that had already reduced user trackability, with Mozilla now estimating that only about 20% of users can be uniquely fingerprinted under the new system. The protections also standardize certain outputs, like always reporting two CPU cores and reducing available screen height, to further limit the effectiveness of fingerprinting techniques. Mozilla cautions that completely eliminating all fingerprinting signals could disrupt legitimate website functionality, so users retain the option to disable these protections on specific pages if necessary. The company plans to make these privacy features the default for all users after further testing and optimization. These updates reflect Mozilla's ongoing commitment to user privacy and its proactive approach to countering increasingly sophisticated online tracking methods.
Jul 12, 2026
Mozilla has introduced **native Containers** in **Firefox 153** as a preview feature, bringing core functionality from the long-running Multi-Account Containers extension directly into the browser. The built-in capability lets users separate browsing contexts such as work, shopping, personal use, and banking, isolating cookies and tracking data so they can stay signed in to multiple accounts in the same window while reducing cross-site tracking. The preview allows tabs to be opened in specific containers and supports customization of container names, colors, and icons through Firefox settings. Mozilla said the feature was added in response to user demand for a browser-native implementation, but noted that the rollout is gradual and that some extension features are not yet included, such as certain per-site container rules; users who do not yet see the setting, or who need missing functionality, can continue using the existing add-on alongside the new implementation.
Jul 24, 2026
Mozilla released **Firefox 153.0** as the new **Extended Support Release (ESR)** for enterprises, schools, and other organizations seeking a long-term support browser baseline. The release adds initial **Vulkan Video** decode support, broadening hardware-accelerated playback beyond earlier Linux-focused `VA-API` work, and also brings **HDR video** playback on Windows systems with supported AMD and NVIDIA GPUs. Mozilla additionally highlighted PDF improvements and ongoing **JPEG XL** enablement, including experimental support carried forward from the beta cycle. The update also includes security and privacy changes introduced during testing, including verification and display of **Qualified Website Authentication Certificates (QWACs)** in line with `eIDAS` requirements and a stricter default for browser extensions, which can no longer access local files unless users grant separate permission. Beta release notes also pointed to clearer location-permission indicators and a range of web-platform and developer updates, underscoring that Firefox 153 combines enterprise-focused stability with new media, document, and browser-hardening features.
Jul 24, 2026