From Newsgroup: alt.comp.software.seamonk

I read that Mozilla has released a free VPN in firefox, but I don't see
it. I am on 149.0b10 (64-bit). When I click "get vpn" in the settings it
takes me here:

https://www.mozilla.org/en-GB/products/vpn/

which offers 50% off.

Is it unavailable to Beta? or to GB?
--- Synchronet 3.21f-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: alt.comp.software.seamonk

Richmond wrote:

I read that Mozilla has released a free VPN in firefox, but I don't see
it.

"As with many Firefox features, werCOre introducing
it gradually starting in Firefox 149 so we can learn
from user feedback"


--- Synchronet 3.21f-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: alt.comp.software.seamonk

Richmond wrote:

I read that Mozilla has released a free VPN in firefox, but I don't see
it. I am on 149.0b10 (64-bit).

My understanding is that the Ffx so-called vpn is a proxy, like Opera
has done.

The (true) free VPNs I've played w/ on linux are Proton's, Rise Up, and Windscribe.

Generally when I mess w/ it, I prefer wireguard protocol.

Mostly I do NOT VPN.
--
Mike Easter
--- Synchronet 3.21f-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: alt.comp.software.seamonk

Mike Easter wrote:

My understanding is that the Ffx so-called vpn is a proxy, like
Opera has done.

Oops. Revising and extending my remarks.

Moz has a proxy service AND a VPN.

The proxy service is free; there is also a paid VPN.

Paid VPN: https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/products/vpn/
Free proxy: https://blog.mozilla.org/en/firefox/built-in-vpn/

Once itrCOs on, Firefox routes your browsing traffic through a proxy
network that replaces your IP address before it reaches a website.
The sites you visit see the proxyrCOs IP address rather than your
own.

For some reason, moz likes to call its free proxy a 'vpn', while
providing a separate page which has a graphic explaining the diff
between vpn and proxy.

That seems 'daffy' or 'disingenuous' to me. Don't call your proxy a vpn
one place and then 'disavow' it/that another.

https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/products/vpn/resource-center/the- difference-between-a-vpn-and-a-web-proxy/
--
Mike Easter
--- Synchronet 3.21f-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: alt.comp.software.seamonk

Mike Easter wrote:

That seems 'daffy' or 'disingenuous' to me.-a Don't call your proxy a vpn one place and then 'disavow' it/that another.

https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/products/vpn/resource-center/the-difference-between-a-vpn-and-a-web-proxy/

Fix b0rken link.

Gizmodo helps on the vpn vs proxy issue:

https://gizmodo.com/firefox-is-getting-a-free-built-in-vpn-on-march-24-its-useful-but-heres-what-it-cant-do-2000735455
--
Mike Easter
--- Synchronet 3.21f-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: alt.comp.software.seamonk

Richmond wrote:

which offers 50% off.

For reasons that somewhat escape me, I've been comparing some non-free
VPNs, incl the Moz paid vpn for a y/ly rate of $60 + tax.

In spite of lots of sites acting like all kinds of pay vpn/s are 'free' (meaning they have 30d money-back guarantee for 1st buyers, incl Moz),
there are many that are about $5/mo (like Moz) by the yr.

If I were going to pay for a plan, I would probably take Proton's, which
is about $4/mo by the yr or $3/mo as 2yrs.

About the only thing I ever do that I care about my IP is when I am geo blocked, and free works fine to solve that. I am not trying to hide
from my connectivity provider or LE or some oppressive regime.
--
Mike Easter
--- Synchronet 3.21f-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: alt.comp.software.seamonk

On Tue, 24 Mar 2026 14:43:32 -0700, Mike Easter <MikeE@ster.invalid>
wrote:

About the only thing I ever do that I care about my IP is when I am geo >blocked, and free works fine to solve that.

Ditto... e.g. for what ever reason ACMA, the Australian counterpart to
the FCC in the US, blocks me from searching for basic information
about radio stations, part of a hobby interest.
I haven't attempted a search in a while but on the last occasion, it
threw up a humorous rejection along the lines of, "It doesn't look as
if you're far enough Down Under."
--- Synchronet 3.21f-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: alt.comp.software.seamonk

On Tue, 24 Mar 2026 13:36:05 -0700, Mike Easter wrote:

Mostly I do NOT VPN.

VPNs are very useful. I have one running between the LAN in a clientrCOs
office and mine. That allows for convenient access to his machines
every time he calls up to report some trouble.
--- Synchronet 3.21f-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: alt.comp.software.seamonk

Lawrence DrCOOliveiro wrote:

Mike Easter wrote:

Mostly I do NOT VPN.

VPNs are very useful. I have one running between the LAN in a clientrCOs office and mine. That allows for convenient access to his machines
every time he calls up to report some trouble.

I used to have a (dear) friend who needed help that frequently; as usual
for the helpee, he would always think it would be very easy to just call
me up and ask something. Of course that almost never works.

At that time I wasn't very adept at the many ways to use linux to access
his Win machine, so I used TeamViewer which was free at that time; I
think I also used a Win machine I had handy for my end.

Alas, he's now gone to that great fighter-pilots in the sky place.
--
Mike Easter
--- Synchronet 3.21f-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: alt.comp.software.seamonk

Richmond wrote:

I read that Mozilla has released a free VPN in firefox, but I don't see
it.

I wanted to see Moz free 'vpn'/proxy so I booted a live linux mint which doesn't have Ffx 149 in its repo/s, so I used the LM flatpak function to install Ffx 149 from flathub; but it doesn't have the alleged 'VPN
button' in its toolbar, nor in its settings.

Since this is just now Mar 24 afternoon in my tz, maybe this v of 149,
149.0 doesn't have the function. It isn't in the what's new page: https://www.firefox.com/en-US/firefox/149.0/releasenotes/

... altho' it and some other 149 stuff are being promoted heavily.
--
Mike Easter
--- Synchronet 3.21f-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: alt.comp.software.seamonk

Mike Easter wrote:

It isn't in the what's new page:

https://www.firefox.com/en-US/firefox/149.0/releasenotes/

Hmmm. Yes it is mentioned, but it is 'going to be' a phased rollout not available to all users, such as me.

Firefox now offers a free built-in VPN.

https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/built-in-vpn

This feature is experimental and is being introduced to the Firefox
user base through a progressive rollout. It may not yet be available
to all users.

--
Mike Easter
--- Synchronet 3.21f-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: alt.comp.software.seamonk

Mike Easter <MikeE@ster.invalid> writes:

Mike Easter wrote:

It isn't in the what's new page:

https://www.firefox.com/en-US/firefox/149.0/releasenotes/

Hmmm. Yes it is mentioned, but it is 'going to be' a phased rollout
not available to all users, such as me.

Firefox now offers a free built-in VPN.

https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/built-in-vpn

This feature is experimental and is being introduced to the Firefox
user base through a progressive rollout. It may not yet be available
to all users.

Yes, as Andy Burns pointed out in the first reply, but you have to read
the blog to get this information.

I was only curious to try it. You can get a free VPN or Web VPN with
ProtonVPN and their extension. However, you are limited in the countries
you can choose to teleport into. It's good to know what the business
model is though.

--- Synchronet 3.21f-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: alt.comp.software.seamonk

On Tue, 24 Mar 2026 13:55:49 -0700, Mike Easter wrote:

Mike Easter wrote:

My understanding is that the Ffx so-called vpn is a proxy, like
Opera has done.

Oops. Revising and extending my remarks.

Moz has a proxy service AND a VPN.

The proxy service is free; there is also a paid VPN.

Paid VPN: https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/products/vpn/
Free proxy: https://blog.mozilla.org/en/firefox/built-in-vpn/

Once itos on, Firefox routes your browsing traffic through a proxy
network that replaces your IP address before it reaches a website.
The sites you visit see the proxyos IP address rather than your
own.

For some reason, moz likes to call its free proxy a 'vpn', while
providing a separate page which has a graphic explaining the diff
between vpn and proxy.

That seems 'daffy' or 'disingenuous' to me. Don't call your proxy a vpn
one place and then 'disavow' it/that another.

https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/products/vpn/resource-center/the- difference-between-a-vpn-and-a-web-proxy/

Mozilla does have a VPN service, but the question is, does Firefox browser's "VPN" feature use that VPN service by providing a VPN client program, or is
it provided as a mere proxy? If it's the latter one, then it'd be no
different than Opera browser's "VPN" feature - which is not a true VPN.
--- Synchronet 3.21f-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: alt.comp.software.seamonk

On Tue, 24 Mar 2026 16:46:24 +0000, Richmond wrote:

I read that Mozilla has released a free VPN in firefox, but I don't see
it. I am on 149.0b10 (64-bit). When I click "get vpn" in the settings it takes me here:

https://www.mozilla.org/en-GB/products/vpn/

which offers 50% off.

Is it unavailable to Beta? or to GB?

They've only released in a few countries AFAIK, the UK, France, Germany
(?) and they will roll it out gradually. It's not a VPN per se, it's a
proxy you can only use within the browser, so it doesn't offer full
protection.
--
s|b
--- Synchronet 3.21f-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: alt.comp.software.seamonk

On 3/25/2026 12:46 AM, Richmond wrote:

I read that Mozilla has released a free VPN in firefox, but I don't see
it. I am on 149.0b10 (64-bit). When I click "get vpn" in the settings it takes me here:

Firefox now has a free built-in VPN with 50GB monthly data limit <https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/firefox-now-has-a-free-built-in-vpn-with-50gb-monthly-data-limit/>
--
@~@ Simplicity is Beauty! Remain silent! Drink, Blink, Stretch!
/ v \ May the Force and farces be with you! Live long and prosper!!
/( _ )\ https://sites.google.com/site/changmw/
^ ^ https://github.com/changmw/changmw
--- Synchronet 3.21f-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: alt.comp.software.seamonk

Nobody has brought this to us :

Ditto... e.g. for what ever reason ACMA, the Australian counterpart to
the FCC in the US, blocks me from searching for basic information
about radio stations, part of a hobby interest.

same here when I try to access some student newspaper digital archives
(US colleges)... why? I'm just reading the past issues :-[
--
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........... [ al lavoro ] ...........
-.-. .... . ... .. ...- .. -. -.-. .- --- -.-. .... . ... .. .--. . .-.
-.. .- ..-. --- .-. --.. .- - --- .-. --- . .--- ..- ...- . -- . .-.
-.. .-
--- Synchronet 3.21f-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: alt.comp.software.seamonk

On 25/03/2026 16:11, Ammammata wrote:

Nobody has brought this to us :

Ditto... e.g. for what ever reason ACMA, the Australian counterpart to
the FCC in the US, blocks me from searching for basic information
about radio stations, part of a hobby interest.

same here when I try to access some student newspaper digital archives
(US colleges)... why? I'm just reading the past issues :-[

The situation will only worsen as AI takes over. In order to prevent AI
from stealing their work, almost all websites will require accounts to
access information. Search engines cannot access websites that require a login, so a similar approach will be adopted to prevent AI from stealing people's work.

Microsoft was facing a class action because they had monetised GitHub resources, which are mainly intended to be open source and free to use. Contributors were angry because Microsoft is profiting from selling
something they didn't create. Although the case was dismissed but it is
far from over. Something will have to change to protect Intellectual
Property rights!



--- Synchronet 3.21f-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: alt.comp.software.seamonk

Mike Easter wrote:

it is 'going to be' a phased rollout not
available to all users, such as me.

I tried again to get a Ffx w/ proxy-vpn by booting a Sparky rolling
which is Deb testing which has a 'firefox latest' in its repo/s which is
149.0 and installed it; but no joy; that 149 doesn't have the proxy-vpn either.
--
Mike Easter
--- Synchronet 3.21f-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: alt.comp.software.seamonk

On Wed, 25 Mar 2026 23:27:28 +0000, Protect Your Rights wrote:

On 25/03/2026 16:11, Ammammata wrote:

Nobody has brought this to us :

Ditto... e.g. for what ever reason ACMA, the Australian
counterpart to the FCC in the US, blocks me from searching for
basic information about radio stations, part of a hobby interest.

same here when I try to access some student newspaper digital
archives (US colleges)... why? I'm just reading the past issues :-[

The situation will only worsen as AI takes over. In order to prevent
AI from stealing their work, almost all websites will require
accounts to access information.

But the above are just compilations of information, which are not
copyrightable in and of themselves (there was no creative input in
their compilation). So there is nothing to rCLstealrCY.

Yes, it can take hard work to put together such a compilation, but
copyright is supposed to be about creative input, not hard work.

Search engines cannot access websites that require a login, so a
similar approach will be adopted to prevent AI from stealing
people's work.

If they block the search engines, then they can lose their search
rankings. Which means they lose traffic. So they have to find a way to
allow in robots while blocking real people. Which is a pretty perverse situation to be in, wouldnrCOt you agree?

rCLBefore you can access this site, please prove that you *are* a bot...rCY

Microsoft was facing a class action because they had monetised
GitHub resources, which are mainly intended to be open source and
free to use.

rCLFreerCY in rCLfree softwarerCY means rCLfree of restrictionsrCY, not rCLfree of
chargerCY. It is supposed to be entirely permissible to make money off
such software.

Something will have to change to protect Intellectual Property
rights!

But those Free/Open Source software licenses are supposed to allow
this sort of use.
--- Synchronet 3.21f-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: alt.comp.software.seamonk

on 26/03/2026, Protect Your Rights supposed :

In order to prevent AI
from stealing their work, almost all websites will require accounts to
access information.

this wouldn't be a problem, unless I have to pay big bucks to gain
access :')
--
/-\ /\/\ /\/\ /-\ /\/\ /\/\ /-\ T /-\
-=- -=- -=- -=- -=- -=- -=- -=- - -=-
........... [ al lavoro ] ...........
-.-. .... . ... .. ...- .. -. -.-. .- --- -.-. .... . ... .. .--. . .-.
-.. .- ..-. --- .-. --.. .- - --- .-. --- . .--- ..- ...- . -- . .-.
-.. .-
--- Synchronet 3.21f-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: alt.comp.software.seamonk

Richmond wrote:

Is it unavailable to Beta? or to GB?

I'm in the UK, it allows me to login to the mozilla VPN using my
existing firefox sync credentials, seems to work, my IP shows up as ip-63-245-216-244.vpn.firefox.com from whatsmyip.org

I don't pay for any VPN (because I rarely need one) but it's better than
a slap in the face with a wet kipper ...

--- Synchronet 3.21f-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: alt.comp.software.seamonk

Andy Burns <usenet@andyburns.uk> writes:

Richmond wrote:

Is it unavailable to Beta? or to GB?

I'm in the UK, it allows me to login to the mozilla VPN using my
existing firefox sync credentials, seems to work, my IP shows up as ip-63-245-216-244.vpn.firefox.com from whatsmyip.org

I don't pay for any VPN (because I rarely need one) but it's better
than a slap in the face with a wet kipper ...

I don't see any way to log in. Duck.ai tells me there is a VPN icon but
I cannot find one. I click on the account icon (I am logged in to
mozilla) and I see "Mozilla VPN - Get whole device protection" but that
takes me to a website offering 50% off. You must be one of the chosen
few.
--- Synchronet 3.21f-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: alt.comp.software.seamonk

Andy Burns wrote:

but it's better than
a slap in the face with a wet kipper ...

don't knock it until you try it.
--- Synchronet 3.21f-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: alt.comp.software.seamonk

Richmond wrote:

Andy Burns writes:

I'm in the UK, it allows me to login to the mozilla VPN using my
existing firefox sync credentials

I don't see any way to log in.

Within the Settings / Privacy & Security tab, I now have a VPN section,
I didn't notice what URL it took me to to get signed-in.

And I can turn it on/off from a new VPN icon in my main toolbar
(customisable like other items in toolbar)

History does show that I visited the URL

<https://vpn.mozilla.org/oauth/success?code=xxx&state=yyy>

where xxx and yyy are long hex and alphanumeric strings respectively

--- Synchronet 3.21f-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: alt.comp.software.seamonk

Andy Burns wrote:

And I can turn it on/off from a new VPN icon in my main toolbar (customisable like other items in toolbar)

On my Ffx 149, I do NOT have a VPN icon in my main toolbar; and in my
Ffx settings, I DO have a 'Mozilla VPN' section which has a 'Get VPN'
function which takes me to the place one can subscribe to the REAL Moz VPN.

So, at the present time, the Moz and media 'hype' about the free Moz
vpn/proxy are (simply) a /ploy/ to attract users to subscribe to the pay
Moz VPN, (says the perennial skeptic).

For my indicators, I call the free 'vpn' as lowercase vpn/proxy and the
pay Moz VPN w/ upppercase.

While I do NOT have any need for a pay VPN, I /think/ that if I did, my
choice would be Proton's, not Moz's.

I'm not sure which of the various free VPNs I like 'best' between such
as RiseUp, Windscribe, and Proton's; I think it depends on the situation.

I /suppose/ if I were going to use a proxy, it /might/ be the moz
vpn/proxy, but I haven't been able to check that out yet.
--
Mike Easter
--- Synchronet 3.21f-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: alt.comp.software.seamonk

On Thu, 26 Mar 2026 16:49:45 +0000, Andy Burns wrote:

I'm in the UK, it allows me to login to the mozilla VPN using my
existing firefox sync credentials, seems to work, my IP shows up as ip-63-245-216-244.vpn.firefox.com from whatsmyip.org

I don't pay for any VPN (because I rarely need one) but it's better than
a slap in the face with a wet kipper ...

How is the UK going to block this VPN, so the kids don't have access to
pr0n? (-;
--
s|b
--- Synchronet 3.21f-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: alt.comp.software.seamonk

"s|b" <me@privacy.invalid> writes:

On Thu, 26 Mar 2026 16:49:45 +0000, Andy Burns wrote:

I'm in the UK, it allows me to login to the mozilla VPN using my
existing firefox sync credentials, seems to work, my IP shows up as
ip-63-245-216-244.vpn.firefox.com from whatsmyip.org

I don't pay for any VPN (because I rarely need one) but it's better
than a slap in the face with a wet kipper ...

How is the UK going to block this VPN, so the kids don't have access
to pr0n? (-;

They will get age verification installed in operating systems then
Firefox will be required to check the age-verification-api. If that
fails, prompt the user for a passport, driving licence, and three
different utility bills. It will be like the annoyance of cookie
warnings, raised to the power of 10.

I suggest the way forward is for the age-verification-api to return 25
every time. But don't tell anyone. That way they think they've got what
they want, and we think we've got what we want, and everyone is happy.
--- Synchronet 3.21f-Linux NewsLink 1.2