When you use a browser for everything, it needs to be fast. But for the same reason, it needs to be private. A browser has access to everything you do online, so it can put you at real risk if it doesn’t have strong privacy features.

{ -brand-name-firefox } gives you the option to encrypt your saved passwords, and you can <a { $primary }>use a primary password to access them</a>; your passwords are protected even if you have to share a computer. Brave does not password-protect your passwords.

And we make it easy for you to choose which search engine you use whenever you search. Edge makes you dig through your settings to use a search engine other than Bing.

If ads don’t bother you and you don’t mind being followed by trackers and third-party cookies, then the Standard setting should work for you. To get trackers off your tail in Standard mode, use a <a href="{ $url }">Private Browsing</a> window.

A VPN is a way to hide your IP address. <a href="{ $vpn }">When you use a VPN</a>, your external IP address will be coming from the VPN server’s external IP, rather than your location’s external IP address. So if your connecting VPN server is located in California, your external IP will look like it’s connected from California, no matter where you actually are. Plus, your online activity is sent over an encrypted, secure connection to your VPN server, giving you additional security and privacy. <a href="{ $mozvpn }">{ -brand-name-mozilla-vpn }</a> is one way to hide your IP address. We don’t keep your network activity logs, and we don’t partner with third parties who build profiles of what you do online. We offer full-device protection for up to five devices with servers in { $countries }+ countries, you can connect to anywhere, from anywhere.

VPNs and secure web proxies have shared goals: they secure connections. They can, and do, mask your original IP address and protect web traffic that you send between you and your VPN or secure proxy provider. But when would you want to use a VPN vs a proxy?

Hiding your identity and cloaking your web traffic can seem like something only the super tech savvy or shady actors do. However, there are a number of legitimate reasons you may want to use a VPN, including:

Installing and using a VPN is currently legal in most countries, including the United States, the UK, Canada and New Zealand, but some countries may regulate their use. If you choose to use a VPN, it is your responsibility to check the country’s law to determine whether using it is legal or not.

When should I use a VPN?

Why would I use a VPN?

5 reasons you should use a VPN

If you are renting a temporary place for remote work or planning a future Airbnb getaway, chances are it will come with free WiFi. Even if the WiFi is protected behind a password, that doesn’t make it automatically safe and private. For starters, the host could be accessing the network to track what you do online. Also, if they haven’t changed the password between guests, any prior guest could reconnect alongside you. Plus, an earlier guest could have accessed the rental’s router and installed software that allows them to snoop on it remotely. Much to consider! Short of skipping the WiFi entirely, the best course of action is to use a trusted VPN whenever you’re connecting your computer, phone or tablet to a rental’s internet. This goes for hotels and hostels, too.

<strong>Stronger privacy:</strong> Because a VPN masks your IP address, you can browse the internet more privately, knowing that your activity can’t be stitched together by data collectors using your IP as a unique identifier.

There are several reasons why you should use a VPN to protect yourself when using your laptop or PC:

When to use a VPN