Mullvad VPN, a Sweden-based VPN service provider, has partnered with The Tor Project, a non-profit organization focused on online privacy and anonymity, to release a new browser designed to provide users with enhanced privacy without using the Tor network. The new Mullvad browser is developed by The Tor Project and distributed by Mullvad VPN.
The Tor network, which consists of routers that encrypt and protect web traffic, enables users to browse the internet anonymously without being tracked or identified. However, only specific browsers such as Tor’s proprietary browser can access the network.
The new Mullvad browser purportedly offers the same level of privacy as the Tor network. “From our perspective, there has been a gap in the market for those who want to run a privacy-focused browser as good as Tor Browser but with a VPN instead of the Tor Network,” said Jan Jonsson, CEO at Mullvad VPN.
The new browser masks certain parameters by default, including fonts and hardware APIs, that can be used to extract information about a user’s device and make them identifiable. It also comes with privacy mode enabled, blocks third-party trackers, and makes it easy to delete cookies while in a session. Mullvad claims that there are fewer extensions and plug-ins present than in other anonymous browsers, which reduces the risk of accidentally revealing a user’s identity.
The Tor network, although often associated with illegal activities on the dark web, is legal in most countries and is also used to access regular websites without being tracked. The new Mullvad browser is aimed at users who want a privacy-focused browser that offers the same degree of anonymity as the Tor network but with a VPN instead.
“Developing this browser with Mullvad is about providing people with more free privacy options for web browsing while challenging the all-too-prevalent business model of exploiting people’s data. This partnership demonstrates that it is possible to develop free technology solutions that prioritize the protection of user privacy,” said Isabela Fernandes, Executive Director, Tor Project.
The Mullvad browser is open-source and can be downloaded for free on Windows, MacOS, and Linux. It integrates fully with Mullvad’s VPN service, but it can also be used independently. The new browser provides users with an additional layer of privacy and anonymity while browsing the internet, making it a valuable addition to the growing range of privacy-focused technologies.
