Opera has had a long and interesting history in the web browsers niche, with a lot of failures and successes. Nowadays, Opera is the third most popular browser for Windows computers and its mobile version, Opera Mobile, is the best browser for Windows Mobile (not only it has no competition, but it also packs a lot of great features that make it equal to iPhone’s Safari; it even has integrated Flash support).
Version 10.5 is pretty good. It’s fast (faster than Firefox, at the same level as Chrome, probably because of the similar latest Javascript rendering engines), stable and has enough stuff built in to allow you to start surfing the Internet without having to install any additional things like plugins. Its biggest drawback is that it doesn’t actually have any plugins or extensions. It just doesn’t use them. So you’re pretty much stuck with the default stuff and can’t customize it to your liking.
Still, it has a pretty good list of security and privacy features that is very similar to the other leading browsers, Firefox and Chrome. In fact, the only thing that is lacks is the extensions system. Check out the list below and see how Opera can protect your online surfing.
Private browsing. Like all the other modern browsers, Opera has included support for private browsing sessions in its latest version 10.5. It opens a separate window and even process and does not leave any traces after you close it. It deleted everything, including cookies, history, user names and downloads history.
Anti-phishing filter. Opera uses the same online anti-phishing filters as Chrome and Firefox, so it is safe to assume that it will notify and protect you if you happen to come across a phishing site (which, as you may know, are designed to “fish” your usernames and passwords, hence the name).
Pop up blocker. Of course, there is an integrated pop up blocker inside Opera, too. It is pretty effective, certainly more effective than the one in Internet Explorer. It can’t, however, block user initiated pop ups (those that appear when you click on a button or link) and has no ability to block Flash or Javascript content and code.
Antivirus integration. Opera’s download system can tie in with almost any existing antivirus program, including Kaspersky, Norton and Eset. This allows the antivirus software to scan any files you just downloaded and see if there are any viruses or Trojans inside them. If any are found, the files are automatically deleted.
Default 256 bit encryption. Opera does use 256 bit encryption by default, a feature that is missing in Safari 4, unfortunately. This is good for a number of reasons, the main one being that it gives you more security when surfing HTTPS pages and more peace of mind.
Protection from malware sites. Opera has an integrated protection from various malware sites, in addition to the phishing filter. They have their own database, and it is pretty well maintained.
Automatic updates. Like any other modern self-respecting browser, Opera does have and actively use an automatic updates system. If you don’t specifically disable it or block it with a firewall, it will automatically update your Opera browser to the latest version, which is always a good thing.
The list above includes the most important ways that Opera uses to protect your privacy and provide you with a secure web browsing environment. Unfortunately, the source is not open; otherwise Opera would be even more popular. One small company can hardly keep up with all the security threats that appear every day. Nevertheless, Opera is a great, fast and stable browser that is also pretty secure, as long as it’s up to date.
