The Opera browser that has to its credit several firsts has pulled off another by becoming the first and only web browser to come with a free Virtual Private Network (VPN) directly baked into it. Opera further added that the VPN service applies to only the desktop version of its browser though there definitely are plans to bring the feature to the mobile version as well later on.
Among the direct benefits of having a VPN integrated into the browser software is increased privacy and security besides also allowing the user to work around access restriction that applies to several browsers. Further, the service is also completely free with no time or traffic limits imposed as such.
However, the said browser is still in the developers channels with user feedback being closely paid heed to.
“Right now we are releasing VPN in the Developer/alpha channel to gather feedback from users,” Opera Software representatives revealed to ArsTechnica. “Based on this feedback we will estimate on how much time we need to develop the stable version. Our usual release cycle is six weeks.”
Also, it’s just three virtual locations – U.S., Canada, and Germany that users can choose to be at the moment though Opera sources mention more locations will be added shortly.
The above development can also be considered to be a direct fallout of the acquisition of the North America based VPN firm, SurfEasy in March 2015. So far, users of the Opera browser had to rely on installing the SurfEasy extension to avail of VPN benefits. TunnerBear was among the other most favored VPN add-on for Opera browsers though all of that will be redundant now that the features come built into the browser itself.
The Norway-based Opera Software has also been in the news just a few weeks back by becoming the first to offer ad-blocking elements directly integrated into the software, something that company sources said will lead to up to 40 percent faster page load times.
