Opera, web browser focused on speed, security and privacy

Within the wide catalog of web browsers that we have available, there is no doubt that Chrome is the most popular and used worldwide. However, it also has many detractors who are looking for an alternative with better security and privacy conditions on the network. One of the most popular alternatives for years is Opera, which we will talk about next.

Opera is one of the most classic web browsers since its release occurred back in 1995 as a research project for the Norwegian national telephone company, Telenor. and that already in 2010 it accumulated more than 100 million users and that currently exceed 350 million. It is completely free and is available for more than 60 languages.

Opera, web browser focused on speed, security and privacy

Despite the fact that it is currently behind other browsers such as Microsoft Edge, Chrome or Firefox in terms of market share and number of users, the truth is that we are talking about an alternative that stands out especially for its speed, security and privacy, which make it a clear option for those tired of more conventional browsers.

Main features

We are talking about a web browser that offers some advantages over other competing browsers from Mozilla or Microsoft, as it is much smaller in size, as well as being stable and very fast . And it is that Opera stands out for its speed and for its configurations designed by and for security and privacy . For this, it has anti-fraud protection and the incorporation of a VPN to browse safely.

This browser also supports thumbnail tab view, mouse movement navigation, voice navigation, instant messaging applications, JavaScript support, email, and the ability to pin a browser area while using other websites. In addition, it is compatible with extensions and complements so we can provide it with a greater number of functionalities.

Opera is not only a browser for computers, but it also has different versions for mobile phones, being able to synchronize with each other, without the need to create an account or establish a password, since we will only need to scan a QR code to establish the connection between our computer and the phone through a private and secure connection, with encrypted data.

Download Opera for free and install

Opera is a browser that is available for virtually any platform and any device. It is not only compatible with Windows, in its different versions, but it is also compatible with macOS and with different Linux distributions. It can be downloaded for free from its website and installed completely free of charge, without installing any type of spy files or unwanted third-party programs.

Once the OperaSetup.exe file has been downloaded, we must execute it so that its assistant guides us during the installation process. By default, it will be configured as our default browser, so if we want to avoid it, we must click on the “Options” section and uncheck the corresponding box. From here we will also be able to import bookmarks from our default browser. We just have to click on Accept and Install to start the whole process, during which it will show us some of its most important features.

Opera instalación

First steps with Opera

Once we have installed the browser automatically, a direct access will be created both on the Desktop and on the taskbar. Just press any of them to start it and start discovering everything we can find. Of course, it should be noted that a banner will appear for us to try its free VPN, which if it is annoying, just click on Do not show more to make it disappear.

Quick access tab and interface

With the browser open we come across its Quick Access tab and its interface, which at first glance may seem similar to other browsers but also has its own details. At the top we find the bar where we can write any search or the address of a website, and just above we find its tab system with a plus symbol (+) to add more tabs to the panel.

Opera interfaz

In the central part we find direct access to different web pages, located within a category called Vacation time. From here we can access websites such as El Corte Inglés, Booking, among others, and even add a new website that we want to have at hand. We can also edit any shortcut by simply clicking on its three-dot button and selecting Send to Trash. In this way we can organize everything to our liking.

Opera editar acceso directo

On the left side we find a sidebar , which is one of its most differentiating sections compared to other competing options. From here we will have direct access to different applications and functions that can be very useful, as we will see below.

Opera configurar ubicación

Finally, it should be noted that we can configure our location , for which we will need to grant permission to the browser so that it can access the location of the weather, so that we can have a more accurate weather forecast. For our peace of mind, Opera servers do not save or share our location with third parties.

Left sidebar for tools and apps

From the sidebar that we find on the left side of its interface, we can access different applications or social networks. For example, we find a button for Instagram and others for messaging applications such as WhatsApp or Messenger. We just have to click on each one, accept the permissions and log in to always have them at hand.

From here we will also be able to access other functions such as our Bookmarks or History. Also, it has a Player where we can configure our favorite streaming music application. In addition, by clicking on the gear-shaped icon we will have access to the Browser Settings.

Opera configurar la barra lateral

The best thing is that the bar can be configured to our liking so that only the elements that we are going to use most frequently or that are of most interest appear in it. To do this, simply click on the button with three points at the bottom to open a side menu to the right, from where we can both add and remove elements.

Privacy enhancements with VPN

One of the most outstanding features of Opera and that clearly differentiates it from other competing options is its privacy and security functions that are included as standard through the inclusion of a VPN. This is free and works by default in Opera and we will only need to activate it when necessary and deactivate it when we want. All without the need to download anything.

To do this, it will only be necessary to access its Configuration section, by clicking on the gear button that we find in the lower left part of the interface. On the new screen, click on the Privacy and security section on the left and finally scroll down until you find the VPN section . Here, we find that it is deactivated, so just press the button to activate it.

Opera activar VPN

Once enabled, the VPN connects through servers around the world, so it informs us that the connection speed and some web pages or services may be affected by the change. We can also enable or disable various options, such as the browser connecting to the VPN every time we start it, enabling default search engines, enabling intranet sites and managing additional VPN rules. .

Screenshot tool

Another interesting tool that we find integrated by default in Opera is none other than the possibility of taking screenshots in a more complete way than having to press the Windows PrintPnt key. We simply have to press the camera-shaped icon that we find on the right side of the taskbar, called Snapshot.

By doing so, it offers us the possibility to choose between taking a screenshot, either selecting the area that we want to cut out to capture or saving the page as a PDF document. Once the capture is done, an additional window will open from where we can edit it. This way we can write text, draw, blur and even share it directly from the messaging services that it has in its sidebar and that we saw previously.

Conclusions: is it worth using Opera?

As we have been able to verify, the Opera browser has enough features to stand up to the most used options. Not only is it a fast, lightweight browser that consumes few resources, but it also has a series of its own tools and functions that other competing options lack and that can be very useful.

The inclusion of a customizable sidebar with tools and applications for social networks and messaging that can be accessed quickly is a great option for those who use them frequently. For privacy lovers, the ability to enable your own VPN without the need to install any additional software or plugins is a plus in terms of hassle-free security. In addition, the inclusion of its own screen capture tool or the possibility of connecting to the mobile version without registration or password offers a very interesting addition.

It is also worth mentioning that it is not perfect, since it should be noted that it has poor browser support for CSS2 and its volume of updates is not as high as other competing options. Likewise, when installing it, it tries to establish it as the default browser by default and without questions, so if we are not interested, it is convenient to deactivate this option from its assistant.

Web browsers as alternatives

When choosing our web browser to browse the Internet, we have a wide list of options available. They are usually free, so we do not have to pay anything to download and use them. If we are looking for a reliable option and Opera does not finish looking for us, we can choose one of the following options:

  • Google Chrome : Based on Chromium and world leader in browsers.
  • Mozilla Firefox : the eternal candidate, free and open source.
  • Edge – Microsoft’s alternative built into Windows.
  • Brave – with advanced security system and integrated Tor.
  • Maxthon – with torrent download integration within its system.