how Opera’s free VPN works

Opera is one of the most innovative browsers. Among its particularities, it has its own VPN. A free VPN to make you surf safer.

When it comes to  security , encryption, two-factor authentication, and VPN servers have been the big winners. The  encryption  has been imposed default both web pages and instant communications. It is no longer something for advanced users, it is a default option for everyone. The  two – factor authentication  has come to add more security to the logins. And, finally,  VPN servers  have become the main asset of security firms to protect your internet browsing. Such is their success that free and paid VPN models are easy to find.

In case you are not aware yet,  the VPN is a service or technology  that allows you to  access the internet  with an extra security. The function of this type of technology is to act as an  intermediary between your connected device and the server  that hosts the service you want to access. This gives you extra privacy and also avoids problems related to censorship or location blocking.

As I said, security firms currently offer VPNs in their catalog. We also find companies specialized in giving you access to  free and paid VPN servers . You just have to install an application on your computer or mobile device and it will configure whatever is necessary. But there is a third option. That your web browser integrates the VPN.

Opera and its free VPN

For some time now, Opera  introduced the VPN service  among its featured features. And no small print. A free VPN to use while browsing. With the ease with which we activate or deactivate any other function, and without the need to  configure practically anything . Neither configure nor install.

As Opera itself explains: normally, your browser connects directly to web pages, allowing these pages to  identify your IP address and  approximate location . With this feature, you connect to websites through a VPN server. The result is that your apparent location  changes to the location of the server .

Another attraction of Opera’s free VPN is that it allows you to  adapt to search engines  so that they continue to offer you personalized results despite the protection offered by the server that acts as an intermediary. In addition, you can  choose the location  of the VPN server that you will use to protect your browsing.

Activate Opera VPN on your computer

To start using Opera’s free VPN on  Windows and macOS, you  just need to activate it from  Settings> Advanced> Privacy and security . If you cannot find the corresponding section, you can search for it directly in the  Opera Settings search engine  .

Once you have activated it, you can ask it to connect by default to that server when you start the browser. Another option that it includes is the one I mentioned before: bypass the VPN for default search engines. This will allow you to get personalized results in your  favorite search engine  even if you activate the service.

From now on, when you open a web page, you will see the VPN icon in the address bar. If you click on it you can activate and deactivate it. You will also see the amount of data that has passed through the server and you will even have the possibility to choose the location of the VPN servers you want to use. Being a free VPN, the options are three:  Europe, Asia, America . If you are looking for more specific locations, you can go to paid VPN services that offer  servers in cities around the world .

Activate Opera on Android

In Android, Opera also integrates this security and privacy function . Not so on iPhone and iPad, although it had it at the time. However, it works in a different way than it does on your computer.

To activate this option in Opera on Android we will have to open the application, click on the Opera icon and then on  Settings . There you will see the VPN option. Keep in mind that if you activate data saving later  , you will deactivate the VPN.

Another peculiarity of the Opera VPN on Android is that it only works on private tabs. That is, when you click on the tabs icon, you will see Normal and Private. The former will continue to show as always. The latter are the ones that will benefit from Opera’s free VPN service.

For the rest, when you open a new private tab you will have access to its settings. You can, for example, change the server location, by default Optimal, to one of the three available locations: Europe, America and Asia. You can also deactivate or activate again the option “Bypass the VPN for searches”.

In short, Opera’s free VPN is a practical way and without small print to protect your browsing directly from this handy browser. Both on your PC or Mac and on your Android devices, you can  browse without leaving a trace  and without sacrificing your pocketbook.