Opera has added a free, unlimited built-in VPN to its desktop browser for Windows, Mac and Linux users. The VPN has been integrated into the developer version of its web browser.
A VPN is a virtual private network. It is a secure, private network that is created to allow you to browse the web more privately and enables you to access region-restricted websites and protects your browsing when on public Wi-Fi.
“Everyone deserves to be private online if they want to be. By adding a free, unlimited VPN directly into the browser, no additional download or extensions from an unknown third-party provider are necessary. So, today, our Opera desktop users get a handy way to boost their online privacy, as well as easier access to all their favorite online content no matter where they are,” says Krystian Kolondra, SVP, Opera.
The VPN provided by Opera has been developed by SurfEasy. SurfEasy was acquired by Opera a few months ago. The inclusion of VPN in Opera didn’t come as a surprise as we were expecting this since the acquisition of SurfEasy.
How to use the Opera’s VPN
The new VPN feature offers 256-bit encryption. To activate the VPN in the developer version of the Opera browser, click the “O” menu, select “Settings”, choose “Privacy & Security” and then toggle the free VPN on.
An icon will appear in the browser address field, from which you can see and change your location, check whether your IP is exposed and review how much data you have consumed through the VPN servers.
Even though Opera’s built-in VPN is free, it offers the same solutions as paid VPNs:
- Hide your IP address – This will replace your IP address with a virtual IP address, so it’s harder for sites to track your location and identify your computer.
- Unblocking of firewalls and websites – Many countries, schools and workplaces block video-streaming sites, social networks and other services. By using a VPN you can access your favorite content, not matter where you are.
- Public Wi-Fi security – When you’re surfing the web on public Wi-Fi, intruders can easily sniff data. By using a VPN, you can improve the security of your personal information.
In this developer release, users can choose from one of three virtual locations – USA, Canada and Germany. More locations will be added in the stable version of the Opera browser.
You can download the developer version of Opera from here.
