This is a 100% free VPN that comes with the desktop Opera browser but is Opera VPN safe and secure to use? For starters, Opera’s version of a VPN is not really a true VPN but a browser proxy instead. The good news is that it is completely free to use. It also comes with no data limit, and works perfectly for most of your simple VPN needs.
Let’s take a more detailed look at the security side of Opera VPN before we pass our verdict on its safety.
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About Opera VPN
Opera ranks among the top 5 most popular browsers in the world. They have a loyal fan base of around 350 million users. The browser has grown in popularity mostly because of its cutting-edge and quite useful technologies such as Opera Turbo. This is a compression technology that helps speed up your browsing. They also have one of the best built-in ad-blockers. The browser is not only fast but lightweight too. In fact, Opera ranks on the same level as other dominant browsers such as Mozilla Firefox and Google Chrome.
Opera recently bought SurfEasy, and with the acquisition, Opera VPN was born. Opera has now placed the SurfEasy VPN technology into its browser. The free VPN works on most platforms including Windows, macOS, and Linux. Initially, Opera had a standalone VPN app for Android devices. But the app was later discontinued and is no longer available. The free VPN is currently available on desktop platforms only.
Opera VPN Security and Privacy
So, is Opera VPN safe? No, this VPN is not 100% safe, as all free VPNs go.
Here are a few reasons why we believe the free Opera VPN to be insecure.
Opera VPN’s Unclear Jurisdiction
The location or headquarters of a VPN provider is one of the key factors to consider when evaluating the safety of VPNs. The country in which the VPN service is registered determines if it is obligated by the country’s laws to provide user data on request or not.
Opera Software ASA owns the Opera browser, which is a Norwegian firm with offices in Sweden, China, and Poland. The company is owned by a Hong Kong-based Chinese consortium led by the Chinese billionaire Zhou Yahui.
So technically, the Opera browser is a Norwegian company owned by people in China. On the other hand, a Canadian company, SurfEasy, manages their VPN services. It is therefore unclear where exactly the Opera VPN is located and under which jurisdiction it operates.
If the VPN is headquartered in Canada then it is still not a safe option because they not only collect and store your logging details but are also required to hand over your information to the Canadian government upon request. If the VPN has its base in Norway, you are still not safe.
Norway is a member of the Nine Eyes Spying Alliance led by the US. The alliance regularly performs extensive surveillance and requires all internet service providers (ISPs) and telecommunication companies to store records of their customers’ web browsing history and metadata for at least 6 months.
It is possible that the requirement also applies to VPN services. If the VPN is run from China then you don’t need to be reminded of the Chinese government’s internet monitoring and surveillance practices.
Alternative VPNs for You
So, what do you do when you want to surf the web with 100% anonymity and security without using Opera VPN?
Here are some of the best and safer VPN alternatives you should consider.
- Provider
- User Rating
- Our Review
- Price
PureVPN- 4807 Votes
- $3.24 / month
ExpressVPN- 3795 Votes
- $6.67 / month
Conclusion
Opera VPN is not safe and secure just like many other free VPNs out there. The VPN’s country of jurisdiction is unclear and they also log all your information. If you want a safer and better alternative, check out the VPNs we recommend.