# Serious Problem: How reliable are VPN extensions like MullVad VPN for Firefox? **URL:** https://discuss.privacyguides.net/t/serious-problem-how-reliable-are-vpn-extensions-like-mullvad-vpn-for-firefox/22341 **Category:** Questions **Created:** 2024-11-11T16:23:49Z **Posts:** 59 ## Post 1 by @Average_Joe — 2024-11-11T16:23:49Z Good morning, I keep my VPN for only one specific web browser so when I want to turn on the VPN I have to exit every App/Service in Windows 10 and this gets REALLY tedious. Has anyone tried using a VPN extension that resides and ONLY changes the IP address in that ONE and ONLY web browser? I need to shut down every App when I use the VPN because I don’t want to accidentally login to one of my bank accounts or another account that assumes I’m always in the same country. I also use some websites that do not allow VPN’s to be used and ban users upon discovery… :sob: :sob: :sob: I’ve done an insane amount of research on this but I just can’t find a concrete guarantee that VPN extensions are secure and reliable? Obviously I want to pay for a VPN product as the free VPN’s seem FAR too dangerous to even consider. I’m looking at this exhaustive list now, but I don’t know which is the best?: > **[Popular extensions – Add-ons for Firefox (en-GB)](https://addons.mozilla.org/en-GB/firefox/search/?q=vpn&sort=users&type=extension)** Thanks for reading my question. --- ## Post 2 by @Bhaelros — 2024-11-11T16:31:35Z Browser extensions are just proxies. Maybe you should use split tunneling? --- ## Post 3 by @Average_Joe — 2024-11-11T16:56:50Z > [@Bhaelros](#): > > Browser extensions are just proxies. Maybe you should use split tunneling? I appreciate your reply! I’m looking into split tunnelling. I just realised that I could always use 2 PC devices at the same time: One PC device with VPN turned on and one PC device with VPN turned off, but I can’t do that. **I forgot to mention that one problem with the Mullvad VPN extension is that it’s NOT available on the Official Mozilla Extension Database:** > **[Mullvad Browser Extension (beta)](https://mullvad.net/en/download/browser/extension)** > > Get the Mullvad Browser Extension for enhanced privacy, including IP and DNS leak checks, and proxy support. Compatible with Firefox 91.1+. I’m very selective before I install any extension and I’ve NEVER tried installing an extension that didn’t come from the Official Mozilla Database. --- ## Post 4 by @anon80779245 — 2024-11-11T19:13:35Z > [@Average_Joe](#): > > m very selective before I install any extension and I’ve NEVER tried installing an extension that didn’t come from the Official Mozilla Database. Please note that all extensions on Firefox, wheter they come from [addons.mozilla.org](http://addons.mozilla.org) or elsewhere, need to be signed by Mozilla. So if you can add the extension, it has gone trough automatic testing, and probably human verification as well. Source: [https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/add-on-signing-in-firefox](https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/add-on-signing-in-firefox) --- ## Post 5 by @ruihildt — 2024-11-15T13:36:43Z If you want to have a single whole browser go through a Mullvad VPN proxy, the easiest is to set a proxy in the browser settings directly. The Mullvad Browser Extension would enable you to have different proxies for different websites, but since that’s not your usecase, then you might as well configure directly at browser level. Here’s how to do it: [SOCKS5 proxy](https://mullvad.net/en/help/socks5-proxy#get-started) --- ## Post 6 by @Average_Joe — 2024-12-16T14:07:52Z > [@anon80779245](#): > > ![](https://forum-cdn.privacyguides.net/user_avatar/discuss.privacyguides.net/average_joe/48/6_2.png) Average\_Joe: > > > m very selective before I install any extension and I’ve NEVER tried installing an extension that didn’t come from the Official Mozilla Database. > > Please note that all extensions on Firefox, wheter they come from [addons.mozilla.org](http://addons.mozilla.org) or elsewhere, need to be signed by Mozilla. So if you can add the extension, it has gone trough automatic testing, and probably human verification as well. > > Source: [https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/add-on-signing-in-firefox](https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/add-on-signing-in-firefox) > [@ruihildt](#): > > If you want to have a single whole browser go through a Mullvad VPN proxy, the easiest is to set a proxy in the browser settings directly. > > The Mullvad Browser Extension would enable you to have different proxies for different websites, but since that’s not your usecase, then you might as well configure directly at browser level. > > Here’s how to do it: [SOCKS5 proxy](https://mullvad.net/en/help/socks5-proxy#get-started) I appreciate your replies! **I’m REALLY struggling with this because I need to exit all of my Apps on my Win10 Pro PC and only then can I open and connect my VPN but this is a tedious process..:** This is why me being able to use a VPN without needing to exit any other Apps on my Win10 Pro PC would be amazing. Do many users only have their VPN turned on and working from within their browser whether that’s Brave, Firefox or Mullvad? I’ve never tried this before… --- ## Post 7 by @ruihildt — 2024-12-16T15:18:06Z It seems to me you would be better served to use a virtual machine, and tunnel this virtual machine through the VPN. This way, you would not have to turn off any of your applications. Depending on your threat model, you could even use [Qubes](https://www.qubes-os.org/) to achieve this. But I’m probably not the person you should listen to at this point, because I’m not an expert in virtualisation and isolation. --- ## Post 8 by @Average_Joe — 2024-12-16T16:05:30Z > [@ruihildt](#): > > It seems to me you would be better served to use a virtual machine, and tunnel this virtual machine through the VPN. > > This way, you would not have to turn off any of your applications. > > Depending on your threat model, you could even use [Qubes](https://www.qubes-os.org/) to achieve this. > > But I’m probably not the person you should listen to at this point, because I’m not an expert in virtualisation and isolation. I appreciate your reply! I’m looking at Qubes now. **I forgot to mention:** There are other options to Mullvad: Firefox and Brave both have premium firewall products but I have no idea how to choose which one. Price doesn’t matter to me since it’s related to my network security: > **[Get Mozilla VPN — Mozilla (UK)](https://www.mozilla.org/en-GB/products/vpn/#pricing)** > > Use Mozilla VPN for full-device protection for all apps. With servers in 57+ countries, you can connect to anywhere, from anywhere. > **[Brave VPN: The secure, fast VPN, right in your browser | Brave](https://brave.com/firewall-vpn/)** > > Brave VPN encrypts your traffic for added privacy. Hide your IP address, mask your location, and access your favorite content on the go. --- ## Post 9 by @Average_Joe — 2024-12-16T17:33:16Z I’d appreciate it if people could give their experience with using either Mullvad’s VPN, Firefox VPN or Brave’s. Just so it’s clear I only want the web browser (Mullvad/Firefox/Brave) to have a VPN while the rest of my Apps do not. I’ve searched the forum and I can’t find a comparison… Please help me. :hot_face: :hot_face: :hot_face: :hot_face: --- ## Post 10 by @sgp — 2024-12-16T17:46:01Z I’ve had good experiences with Mozilla VPN and Firefox. When combined with the container tabs on desktop, you can: - Configure container tabs to always open specific domains in a specific container. - Configure a container to use a specific VPN city. Mozilla VPN needs to be running on your computer for this to work correctly. > **[Protect your container tabs with Mozilla VPN | Mozilla VPN Help](https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/protect-your-container-tabs-mozilla-vpn)** > > Mozilla VPN encrypts your connection so that third parties can't track your online activity. Learn how to add this protection to Containers. > **[Use Multi-Account Containers with Mozilla VPN | Mozilla VPN Help](https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/use-multi-account-containers-mozilla-vpn)** > > The Multi-Account Containers add-on separates your shopping, work, banking, Facebook and personal browsing activity. Learn how to integrate it with Mozilla VPN. > **[Multi-Account Containers | Firefox Help](https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/containers#w_always-open-a-site-in-a-container)** > > Add Container tabs to Firefox with the Multi-Account Containers add-on, to separate your work and personal browsing. I don’t know if you can disable the VPN/proxy for one container, but I know you can specify a different VPN location for a specific container. Edit: it looks like completely disabling the VPN is not currently possible, but a Firefox employee said “we are on it”: [https://connect.mozilla.org/t5/ideas/disable-enable-mozilla-vpn-per-container-in-multi-account/idc-p/71178/highlight/true#M38692](https://connect.mozilla.org/t5/ideas/disable-enable-mozilla-vpn-per-container-in-multi-account/idc-p/71178/highlight/true#M38692) --- ## Post 11 by @Nightingale — 2024-12-17T20:24:57Z I think we should wait for a stable release of the Mullvad extension on firefox. I tried it a while ago and it had leak issues. They fixed it in recent updates (i think). But still I would only use the extension on the mullvad browser not on firefox. --- ## Post 12 by @Average_Joe — 2024-12-23T15:13:48Z I appreciate your reply! **YES, my IP address leaking is my HUGE concern with using a VPN that only works in a web browser. If I use the Mullvad web browser and subscribe to the Mullvad VPN would I still be risking an IP address leak???** --- ## Post 13 by @anon80779245 — 2024-12-23T20:01:13Z > [@Nightingale](#): > > think we should wait for a stable release of the Mullvad extension on firefox. I tried it a while ago and it had leak issues. They fixed it in recent updates (i think). But still I would only use the extension on the mullvad browser not on firefox. It is stable. And the extension is already by default on Mullvad Browser. Why did you create an account just to say this? --- ## Post 14 by @Nightingale — 2024-12-23T20:22:53Z First of all, I mentioned the leak issue on Firefox and I have already said Mullvad browser didn’t have such issue. I checked it recently and extension didn’t have the issue on firefox either. However, I gave my opinion according to what seemed right to me as I had also used the extension while it was leaking IP. I hoped the person asking the question wouldn’t make that mistake. Second, I didn’t create the account just to say this. I have been following the community for past one month and I felt like saying something so I did. --- ## Post 15 by @anon80779245 — 2024-12-24T14:14:38Z > [@Nightingale](#): > > . However, I gave my opinion according to what seemed right to me as I had also used the extension while it was leaking IP. I would expect you to provide proof of this. Otherwise, this is FUD. --- ## Post 16 by @Nightingale — 2024-12-24T14:37:22Z You don’t need to believe it. I just told you what I experienced. Now it’s on you if you want to believe it or not. Have a good day :+1: --- ## Post 17 by @anon80779245 — 2024-12-24T15:02:12Z Then prove it with screenshots. --- ## Post 18 by @Nightingale — 2024-12-24T15:36:19Z Again, I don’t NEED you to believe it. I already told you that this WAS an issue. PLEASE read the whole comment again. --- ## Post 19 by @overdrawn98901 — 2024-12-24T17:44:59Z I personally use Mullvad and enjoy it a lot. I would say I feel Mullvad is the top tier when it comes to privacy respecting and their mission. The one downside (which is an upside) is they provide clear transparency into their VPN servers, so it’s a little easier for companies to block them (I mainly see this if attempting to use a streaming service with the VPN). Other VPN providers may have more servers than Mullvad (this needs fact checked), but this poses no issue for me. If you want a comparison, you should read the [main article on PG about VPNs](https://www.privacyguides.org/en/vpn/#proton-vpn). After you read all of that and you have more specific questions, I’d say ask those. — As for your problem, sounds like an issue solved with the Mullvad extension for Firefox or the Mullvad browser. Otherwise, you’ll need to look into split tunneling as others mentioned. The final solution is to create a virtual machine and just have the virtual machine (VM) always connected to the VPN. If it’s only for browsing, you could probably get away with installing some Linux distribution on the VM. --- ## Post 20 by @anon21800868 — 2024-12-24T18:31:05Z VPN extensions are reliable, but you should disable uncloak canonical names on uBO when using them. > **[Dashboard: Settings](https://github.com/gorhill/uBlock/wiki/Dashboard:-Settings#uncloak-canonical-names)** > > uBlock Origin - An efficient blocker for Chromium and Firefox. Fast and lean. - gorhill/uBlock --- ## Post 21 by @Average_Joe — 2025-01-31T14:57:17Z I’m still struggling to solve this very serious problem with turning on my VPN. The problem is so severe that I haven’t been using my VPN even though I’m paying for it… :sob: :sob: :sob: :sob: On my Windows 10 PC I have to exit/shut down all of my apps to make sure that my IP address can’t be leaked. When I’m 100% certain that all of my Apps have been shut down I turn on my VPN, but this takes time. I thought about buying a new Windows PC just for the VPN to be used on but this seems like an expensive solution! This is why I thought using a VPN Firefox extension like Mullvad VPN was my best solution. --- ## Post 22 by @Bhaelros — 2025-01-31T15:17:22Z You can use Wireguard directly from a config file from your VPN provider. Also, consider upgrading to Windows 11 --- ## Post 23 by @overdrawn98901 — 2025-01-31T16:02:05Z Are you using the Mullvad VPN app for windows? They have a kill switch setting where if the VPN isn’t on, it kills internet traffic. Is that not working for you? --- ## Post 24 by @lemon-swan — 2025-01-31T20:18:43Z > I just realised that I could always use 2 PC devices at the same time: One PC device with VPN turned on and one PC device with VPN turned off, but I can’t do that. You mention that you cannot use 2 PCs but just as another option, could you consider a tablet such as a Pixel running GrapheneOS for your VPN use device? --- ## Post 25 by @Average_Joe — 2025-02-12T04:35:02Z I appreciate your replies! > [@overdrawn98901](#): > > Are you using the Mullvad VPN app for windows? They have a kill switch setting where if the VPN isn’t on, it kills internet traffic. Is that not working for you? I want to use the Mullvad VPN extension from within Firefox so that I don’t need to exit every damn App that’s open on my Windows 10 PC… It’s just so tedious closing every App before I open my VPN to the point where I’m not even using my VPN… :sob: > [@lemon-swan](#): > > You mention that you cannot use 2 PCs but just as another option, could you consider a tablet such as a Pixel running GrapheneOS for your VPN use device? Hmm you might be right. Using an iPad to connect to the VPN and use the VPN may be my best hope? This might be my best solution? I spend so much time making sure every App has been shut down/exited before I start the VPN because I’m worried about Apps connecting to the Internet while my VPN is turned on which would leak my IP… :sob: I hope the community can understand my strife… :sob: --- ## Post 26 by @faxe — 2025-02-12T07:45:58Z I don’t really understand why you need to make sure all apps are closed before connecting to your vpn and what would happen if some app you use connects to the internet through the vpn? --- ## Post 27 by @Average_Joe — 2025-03-26T04:34:50Z > [@faxe](#): > > I don’t really understand why you need to make sure all apps are closed before connecting to your vpn and what would happen if some app you use connects to the internet through the vpn? I appreciate your reply! I always thought it was necessary to close all Apps before starting a VPN connection to prevent the IP address from leaking? **I really want to get this figured out because it’s really limiting me! To the point where I haven’t been using my VPN because it takes 10 minutes for me to be 100% sure that all Apps are closed** I can’t use a virtual machine because my current PC only has 8GB of RAM. The perfect solution for me would be a setup where a particular web browser is the only App that the VPN is effecting and only the web browser has a different IP address while the rest of the Apps running are not effected at all. Is this possible with Mullvad VPN or Firefox’s or Brave’s? My first thought was that these VPN’s ONLY effect the web browser and leaves all the other Apps untouched? I just wish I could solve this problem because it’s really holding me back… :sob::sob::sob::sob::sob: --- ## Post 28 by @faxe — 2025-03-26T08:30:07Z The easiest solution I know is using the ProtonVPN extension in Brave (don’t know if it’s also available for firefox, but likely is and also don’t know how MullvadVPN browser extension behaves). Other than that you can use split tunneling with the Mullvad Windows App as somebody mentioned before and select to only connect the browser through VPN or set up a SOCKS5 proxy as mentioned [here](https://discuss.privacyguides.net/t/serious-problem-how-reliable-are-vpn-extensions-like-mullvad-vpn-for-firefox/22341/5) --- ## Post 29 by @Average_Joe — 2025-04-07T22:33:08Z > [@faxe](#): > > The easiest solution I know is using the ProtonVPN extension in Brave (don’t know if it’s also available for firefox, but likely is and also don’t know how MullvadVPN browser extension behaves). Other than that you can use split tunneling with the Mullvad Windows App as somebody mentioned before and select to only connect the browser through VPN or set up a SOCKS5 proxy as mentioned [here](https://discuss.privacyguides.net/t/serious-problem-how-reliable-are-vpn-extensions-like-mullvad-vpn-for-firefox/22341/5) I appreciate your reply! Is ProtonVPN’s extension the only VPN you know of that will only change the IP address in the browser? I’ve been doing a lot of searching and I found this which specifically states that only the Chrome web browser will have its IP changed and all other apps will be left untouched , but AFAIK Hotspot shield doesn’t have a good rep: [https://www.hotspotshield.com/blog/hotspot-shield-chrome-extension/](https://www.hotspotshield.com/blog/hotspot-shield-chrome-extension/) This is the actual URL of the extension: > **[Hotspot Shield - Chrome Web Store](https://chromewebstore.google.com/detail/hotspot-shield/nlbejmccbhkncgokjcmghpfloaajcffj)** > > Hotspot Shield VPN --- ## Post 30 by @Average_Joe — 2025-04-08T02:50:11Z **Update:** Wow, I just checked the Hotspot Shield VPN Chrome extension and this is what I’m reading: _“This extension is no longer available because it doesn’t follow best practices for Chrome extensions.”_ Major sigh for me! :cry: If anyone has any other suggestions I’m all ears! --- ## Post 32 by @faxe — 2025-04-08T07:23:08Z ProtonVPN is what I use, so I never had the need to check for alternatives. As I said using ProtonVPN extension is the easiest solution **I know**. Mullvad extension might also do it, but I never used it, so I don’t know much about it. That said, I would also advise you to stick to the PG recommendations for VPNs. --- ## Post 33 by @win11.shading291 — 2025-04-15T02:55:13Z I’m not sure if this topic would help? > [@Basic 101 Networking question](https://discuss.privacyguides.net/t/basic-101-networking-question/22312): > > I always wondered this and should have asked way sooner about this, but here goes: when do app connect to the internet? Is there traffic going in and out at all times? Let’s take a specific example. If my steam app is opened and I switch from a vpn connection to the other, does steam sees this? Same question but for browsing experience. If I open 10 different tabs and they all already loaded. I turn off my VPN connection because let’s say a bank block all VPN connection. Will all the other tab… --- ## Post 34 by @Average_Joe — 2025-04-22T21:30:17Z > [@win11.shading291](#): > > I’m not sure if this topic would help? > > [Basic 101 Networking question](https://discuss.privacyguides.net/t/basic-101-networking-question/22312) I appreciate your reply! I’ve been reading through that thread. I just checked and the Hotspot VPN extension is available on Chrome again: [https://chromewebstore.google.com/detail/hotspot-shield/nlbejmccbhkncgokjcmghpfloaajcffj](https://chromewebstore.google.com/detail/hotspot-shield/nlbejmccbhkncgokjcmghpfloaajcffj) --- ## Post 35 by @Average_Joe — 2025-05-06T05:26:04Z > [@faxe](#): > > ProtonVPN is what I use, so I never had the need to check for alternatives. As I said using ProtonVPN extension is the easiest solution **I know**. Mullvad extension might also do it, but I never used it, so I don’t know much about it. > > That said, I would also advise you to stick to the PG recommendations for VPNs. I appreciate your reply! I’m reading a lot of negative reviews regarding the Proton Firefox extension: > **[Reviews for Proton VPN: Fast & Secure – Add-ons for Firefox (en-US)](https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/proton-vpn-firefox-extension/reviews/)** > > Reviews and ratings for Proton VPN: Fast & Secure. Find out what other users think about Proton VPN: Fast & Secure and add it to your Firefox Browser. It seems like the Chrome VPN extensions are better? It gets more complicated with Chromium browsers because many of them are compatible with all the other Chromium forked browsers. I wish there were more extensions made specifically for each individual Chromium forked browser. Vivaldi has released a partnership with Proton VPN Vivaldi comes prepackaged with the proton VPN Extension Extension that’s specifically made for Vivaldi so it’s different to the other Chromium forked browsers. --- ## Post 36 by @yes — 2025-05-06T14:51:31Z Personally, I don’t see any benefit or use case for using VPN extensions. It does more harm than good. --- ## Post 37 by @anon80779245 — 2025-05-06T17:08:25Z I must be honest and say I disabled auto-connect. It was causing a lot of issues esp. on boot. Know I don’t know how much is due of Firefox and how much the Proton VPN extension --- ## Post 38 by @Average_Joe — 2025-05-22T14:50:30Z > [@anon80779245](#): > > I must be honest and say I disabled auto-connect. It was causing a lot of issues esp. on boot. Know I don’t know how much is due of Firefox and how much the Proton VPN extension I appreciate your reply! Are you referring to this? [Proton VPN: Fast & Secure – Get this Extension for 🦊 Firefox (en-US)](https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/proton-vpn-firefox-extension/) I wish there were more information about VPN extensions for web browsers… :cry::cry::cry: --- ## Post 39 by @anon80779245 — 2025-05-22T15:05:04Z > [@Average_Joe](#): > > Are you referring to this? [Proton VPN: Fast & Secure – Get this Extension for :fox: Firefox (en-US)](https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/proton-vpn-firefox-extension/) Yes --- ## Post 40 by @Average_Joe — 2025-07-06T15:24:38Z > [@anon80779245](#): > > ![](https://forum-cdn.privacyguides.net/user_avatar/discuss.privacyguides.net/average_joe/48/6_2.png) Average\_Joe: > > > Are you referring to this? [Proton VPN: Fast & Secure – Get this Extension for :fox: Firefox (en-US)](https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/proton-vpn-firefox-extension/) > > Yes I appreciate your reply! **I know Proton is highly recommended here but I haven’t yet seen this new development discussed on the PrivacyGuides forum so I’ve been researching the partnership between Proton and Vivaldi.** This is great for a summary of how the ProtonVPN works within Vivaldi: > **[Proton VPN for Vivaldi | Vivaldi Browser Help](https://help.vivaldi.com/desktop/privacy/proton-vpn-for-vivaldi/)** > > The VPN feature in the Vivaldi browser is provided through a partnership between Vivaldi Technologies and Proton AG. Proton VPN is integrated into Vivaldi, allowing you to connect to a VPN server… --- ## Post 41 by @markwyner — 2025-07-08T04:45:46Z Hey, friend. I highly recommend using Mullvad for your whole computer. That’s called full-tunneling. But if you really want to only use VPN for some of the applications on your computer, Mullvad has a feature (as most good VPNs do) called [split-tunneling](https://mullvad.net/en/help/split-tunneling-with-the-mullvad-app). That means you can enable VPN and then add applications that bypass it. Still, you’re always going to have the best security by using full-tunnels. Mullvad is quick and reliable. I’ve been using them for years. Every once in a while I research other options, but none of them make me want to leave. I hope that helps. --- ## Post 42 by @Average_Joe — 2025-07-17T05:26:18Z > [@markwyner](#): > > I highly recommend using Mullvad for your whole computer. That’s called full-tunneling. But if you really want to only use VPN for some of the applications on your computer, Mullvad has a feature (as most good VPNs do) called [split-tunneling](https://mullvad.net/en/help/split-tunneling-with-the-mullvad-app). That means you can enable VPN and then add applications that bypass it. I appreciate your reply! I’m currently trying to find the best VPN that only works within the browser and leaves the rest of the apps on the device like messaging apps, bit torrent, other browsers etc untouched. I’ve done so much research and I believe Vivaldi with builtin ProtonVPN is the best I can find… :sleepy_face::sleepy_face::sleepy_face: There are a few others in contention but Vivaldi with Proton seems to be the most trustworthy. --- ## Post 43 by @moonwriting — 2025-07-17T10:38:26Z I don’t think that this setup with Vivaldi differs from the Proton VPN extension, and only saves the need for a user to install the extension. Vivaldi also isn’t recommended by Privacy Guides. So, instead of going this route, I would choose either Brave or Firefox and just install the Proton VPN extension unless you have other reasons for choosing Vivaldi. --- ## Post 44 by @username0990 — 2025-07-17T12:18:00Z I remember to have read on Kicksecure/Whonix Wiki that proxies like HTTP/S, SOCKS4/5 aren’t encrypting internet traffic, but I can’t find that Wiki page at the moment. Also, if you haven’t come across it yet, you might want to read this. [Browser extension limitations | Proton VPN](https://protonvpn.com/support/browser-extension-limitations) --- ## Post 45 by @Average_Joe — 2025-08-09T10:37:36Z > [@moonwriting](#): > > Vivaldi also isn’t recommended by Privacy Guides. So, instead of going this route, I would choose either Brave or Firefox and just install the Proton VPN extension unless you have other reasons for choosing Vivaldi. > [@username0990](#): > > Also, if you haven’t come across it yet, you might want to read this. [Browser extension limitations | Proton VPN](https://protonvpn.com/support/browser-extension-limitations) I appreciate your replies! I just assumed Vivaldi’s built-in Proton VPN would be the most integrated because it seems like Vivaldi and Proton have a strong partnership together? Compared to the Chrome/Firefox extensions that appear to be more generic and don’t receive as much support from Proton? I’m looking at your link now: [Browser extension limitations | Proton VPN](https://protonvpn.com/support/browser-extension-limitations) I just hope I can find a VPN that exclusively works in a browser because this has been a severe limitation on what I can and can’t do with my laptop… :sob::sob::sob: --- ## Post 46 by @Average_Joe — 2025-09-09T20:39:56Z I appreciate your replies! I know Vivaldi isn’t the prefered option here but I thought the addition of ProtonVPN would make it at least worth trying and secure it up a bit. I’ve done a 100% refresh install of Vivaldi so I’m going in head first! I just hope I don’t run into any serious problems! --- ## Post 47 by @Average_Joe — 2026-01-18T15:57:30Z > [@yes](#): > > Personally, I don’t see any benefit or use case for using VPN extensions. It does more harm than good. I appreciate your reply! I definitely understand you: **The reason I want to use a VPN extension is so that only my web browser’s IP is changed. I can’t afford to have my other apps like my banking apps, work apps, password apps etc all having their IP changed…** --- ## Post 48 by @J0shXe — 2026-01-19T20:49:28Z MullVad VPN is one of the best in my opinion. --- ## Post 49 by @Average_Joe — 2026-01-27T14:25:17Z > [@J0shXe](#): > > MullVad VPN is one of the best in my opinion I appreciate your reply! Does the Mullvad VPN extension have a kill switch so that my real ip address remains hidden?? From all the research I’ve done it seems like the Proton VPN is rated as number 1? --- ## Post 50 by @J0shXe — 2026-01-27T14:37:15Z Proton is definitely not number 1 due to recent events. MullVad better opsec wise and in case someone wants your logs. Don’t use vpns for long anymore, cannot comment more. --- ## Post 51 by @Average_Joe — 2026-01-27T15:29:26Z > [@J0shXe](#): > > Proton is definitely not number 1 due to recent events. I appreciate your reply but what “recent events” are you referring to?? --- ## Post 52 by @J0shXe — 2026-01-27T15:32:48Z Data breaches leaks and so on --- ## Post 53 by @win11.shading291 — 2026-01-27T17:44:10Z What? I completely missed that and can’t find a source. Could you link please? --- ## Post 54 by @Average_Joe — 2026-01-27T18:01:57Z > [@J0shXe](#): > > Data breaches leaks and so on Are you referring to this: [Proton Claims 300 Million Records Compromised So Far This Year - Infosecurity Magazine](https://www.infosecurity-magazine.com/news/proton-300-million-records/) --- ## Post 55 by @win11.shading291 — 2026-01-27T18:04:18Z The leaks from this article are not from Proton. Proton as some faults (mostly in their marketing lying), but I don’t believe there has been any leaks. --- ## Post 56 by @any1 — 2026-01-31T19:09:39Z > [@Average_Joe](#): > > Does the Mullvad VPN extension have a kill switch so that my real ip address remains hidden?? When you use the Mullvad VPN extension, it only works when you are already connected to a Mullvad server outside of the browser. If your VPN connection outside of the browsers dies, so does the connection for the extension. --- ## Post 57 by @Average_Joe — 2026-02-26T13:14:21Z > [@any1](#): > > When you use the Mullvad VPN extension, it only works when you are already connected to a Mullvad server outside of the browser. If your VPN connection outside of the browsers dies, so does the connection for the extension. I appreciate your reply! I’ll try testing it out as soon as I can! --- ## Post 58 by @Average_Joe — 2026-04-10T12:30:50Z > [@Nightingale](#): > > You don’t need to believe it. I just told you what I experienced. Now it’s on you if you want to believe it or not. Have a good day :+1: I appreciate your reply! I’m just curious as to what browser VPN you recommend now? Is Mullvad still the best way to go? --- ## Post 59 by @dada_goose — 2026-04-10T14:54:10Z @Average_Joe Have you tried Mullvad with Split Tunnelling? You can leave it on system wide at all times and just exclude all the apps you don’t want to go through. That could be all apps except your one browser. You get the best VPN on the market, it’s simple to set up and you have full control, is there a reason this wouldn’t work for you?