The Opera browser has been around since before privacy and security were fashionable. Pre-Facebook outrage, the Opera browser was ahead of the game, keeping users’ data secure and free from prying eyes.
So it was natural that the desktop browser would find its way over to mobiles so that smartphone users could enjoy the same privacy benefits online.
But first, a little background to all of this is in order. The Opera browser was conceived in Norway in 1995. Since then- more than a quarter of a century - has helped keep millions of internet users safe and secure.
According to the makers of Opera, they care about three things: the internet, open standards, and people.
So what have you been missing then?
Renamed iOS browser
The makers of Opera have announced they are rebranding their iOS offering from Opera Touch to Opera.
The award-winning browser app for iOS is celebrating its third year on the platform. The renaming coincides with a design makeover featuring a new color scheme and themes. Further, upgrades to the user interface are in the pipeline.
Following iOS 14.0 and the ability to change default browsers, Opera has seen tremendous new interest in their browser, particularly in North America and Europe.
Built ad-blocker and VPN
Clean, user-friendly design
Pages load faster due to having the excess baggage of advertising
You can select which cookies to eliminate
Turn off privacy dialogs
Incognito browsing
Works well on slow connections
Syncs with all your devices
The Opera browser plays to its strengths. As far as privacy and security go, few have been in the game longer. As a result, Opera is backed by a breadth and depth of knowledge that few can rival.
Opera has a native ad-blocker that’s built-in rather than merely being a welded-on third-party app.
Plus, this free browser’s other major selling point is its integrated Virtual Private Network to improve your security and privacy while using public networks. The VPN is free and unlimited and lets you avoid leaking your location and remaining anonymous while online.
You can also switch between virtual locations, which is handy if you wish to access geo-blocked content.
Plus, advanced compression techniques mean you can save on data too.
It’s free
It supports multiple languages
Built-in ad blocking
Built-in VPN
Excellent reviews on Google Play and the App Store
It’s challenging to fault apart from very minor niggles
The Android-friendly browser is downloadable from Google Play and the iOS version from Apple’s App Store.
Requirements for the Android app vary by device, while iOS users need a comparatively light 70.3 MB of storage space and iOS 12.0 or later. Both app store users give the Opera browser app outstanding ratings in excess of 4.5 out of five. This parity is a feat you don’t see too often, both platforms giving an app a resounding score.
The Android APK is also downloadable from the opera.com website.
