Vivaldi and Proton are teaming up to enhance user privacy by introducing Proton VPN to the Vivaldi browser . Starting today, the free version of the VPN is built directly into the browser and accessible by logging into a Vivaldi account .
As the companies explained, the feature is currently only available on the desktop version of the browser. With the free version of the VPN, users will be able to connect to servers in five randomly selected countries and will have “medium VPN speeds.” If they want, they can opt for a paid versionto get faster VPN speeds, the ability to choose servers in more than 110 countries, and other features.
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It's worth noting that Proton VPN can be easily integrated into other web browsers (besides Vivaldi) such as Chrome and Firefox (via extensions). However, the direct integration into the Vivaldi browser makes the VPN even more accessible to a wider audience.
Using a VPN is especially important when traveling or using a public Wi-Fi network. VPN stands for “virtual private network” and it protects your connection to the Internet. Using a VPN, your real IP address is hidden and replaced with the IP address of the VPN server. This makes it harder for malicious users or websites to track your location or monitor your online activities.
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VPNs can also protect against attacks Man-in-the-Middle , where an attacker interposes himself between you and the website you are visiting. The encryption provided by a VPN makes it much more difficult for your data to be intercepted and tampered with.
Vivaldi said it shares common “values” with Proton, noting that both companies are “proudly outside the orbit of Silicon Valley’s playbook and China’s state surveillance.
“As governments and users reassess their relationship with technology, especially in light of escalating geopolitical tensions, there has been an increased demand for independent and values-based solutions,” said Vivaldi CEO Jon Von Tetzchner. “Europe needs European alternatives. In fact, everyone deserves European alternatives. And with Vivaldi and Proton, you get exactly that.”
See also: NordVPN's NordWhisper bypasses networks that block VPNs
Tetzchner says both Vivaldi and Proton are “politically neutral.”
Integrating the Vivaldi browser with free programs (e.g. Proton VPN) that focus on privacy could attract many new customers who want to switch to a browser outside the US.
Source: www.theverge.com
