While Opera is the fastest growing browser, it remains a third option behind Internet Explorer and Firefox. Recently, Opera has become a free product and is currently being developed to support a wide range of operating systems and mobile platforms. Developers of the Opera browser have based their software on a number of useful features and security as well, a major reason why it is embraced in more than 20 countries.
Third-party Plug-ins
Similar to Firefox, the Opera browser doesn’t support the vulnerable Active X controls used by Internet Explorer. This drastically reduces the amount of spyware and other malware attacks caused by the stealth installation of malicious code often coupled with Active X controls. Opera also doesn’t support VB (Visual Basic) scripts, a language deemed as very dangerous by security experts. VB scripts can be used maliciously to write code, one of the most infamous cases being the “I LOVE YOU” virus that was scripted in Visual Basic.
Java and JavaScript are the only languages supported by the Opera browser, both of which are far more secure than most. Java and JavaScript are commonly used to display animated graphics, allowing websites to enhance their appearance and level of functionality with interactive features, such as auto-updates, order forms, live feeds, real-time game scores, etc.
Encryption and Security Protocols
Opera supports SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) versions 2 and 3 along with TLS to secure your internet communications. It uses 128-bit encryption, which is the highest level of security for any browser. When conducting business online, be sure to look for the padlock “icon” to ensure that a particular site provides encrypted transactions. Furthermore, you can click on the yellow security bar to learn more about the legitimacy of the certificate issued to that server.
Automatic Updates
Opera allows you to run automatic checks for the most recent
updates. This gives you the ability to install the latest updates and security patches as soon as they are made available. It also reduces risks by making sure users have the most secure browser configurations. While there have been vulnerabilities discovered in the Opera browser, they tend to be addressed much faster than those found in Internet Explorer.
Cookies and Referrer Logging
Opera enables easy customization for your private data used to communicate with frequently visited sites. It provides an option for defining cookie storage and referrer logging properties and then specifically customizes them with appropriate sites. The integrated Cooke Manager offers advanced customization with options that allow you configure detailed administrative rules of what cookies to accept or deny. These configurations can be made based on different types of setups and servers.
Pop-up Blocker
Just like most browsers, Opera is able to effectively block pop-up windows. To personalize your web surfing experience, pop-ups can be customized to allow those from sites you trust. This feature works well, although more advanced pop-up programs may be able to slide through.
Conclusion
It’s clear to see that Opera has been thoroughly developed with adequate security in mind. Considering how much protection it offers, it’s surprising that Opera is still less preferred by end-users. Maybe some feel it’s too complex, while others simply aren’t aware of what it has to offer. The truth is that Opera is packed with features, is easy to use, and most importantly, very secure.
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