Mozilla, developer of the popular Firefox web browser, has taken another step toward launching its own virtual private network (VPN).

The software company said it will officially release its first official VPN product in the coming weeks, dubbed Mozilla VPN, a change from its original name, Firefox VPN.

The company is not exactly new to the VPN field; it has been beta testing this VPN service since February and last year also announced a secure browser proxy for its flagship browser called Firefox Private Network.

Firefox Private Network works only with the Firefox browser and does not encrypt traffic from other browsers or Internet-facing applications and services. However, Mozilla VPN is a standalone product that runs at the operating system level.

In a blog post yesterday (June 18), Mozilla announced: "The VPN will exit the Beta phase in the coming weeks, leaving the Firefox Private Network brand and becoming a standalone product, Mozilla VPN, to provide more services."

Mozilla Private Network will be rebranded as Mozilla VPN.

Mozilla further explained that the development of its own VPN is highly requested by users and is an important priority going forward.

"We started working with a small group of you and learned a lot, and by putting the VPN in your hands, we confirmed some of our initial assumptions and identified key priorities for the future."

"For example, over 70% of early beta testers said that VPNs helped them feel empowered, safe, and independent while online. Additionally, 83% of early beta testers say the VPN is easy to use."

Mozilla VPN joins the ranks of existing Windows VPNs with all the key features that industry-leading VPNs offer, including split tunneling and the ability to use it across different operating systems.

Mozilla VPN allows users to connect up to five devices on Windows, Android, and iOS.

However, Mozilla has not built its own server network. Instead, it is using the existing network of Mullvad, a very privacy-oriented Swedish VPN provider. And it uses WireGuard, a new light and fast VPN protocol that Mullvad was the first to widely deploy.

For starters, the service will be available to U.S.-based people this summer. (Previously, you had to join a waiting list to try it out.) However, Mozilla explained that it will arrive in selected regions later this year.