Web browser Opera has added a free VPN client that will give users more privacy when visiting web pages. The virtual private network also comes with unlimited usage of data.
In an announcement on its website, Opera said it is the first browser to have a free VPN. "Now, you don't have to download VPN extensions or pay for VPN subscriptions to access blocked websites and to shield your browsing when on public Wi-Fi," it added.
Opera also explained that they made this bold move to match the expectations of their users for this year. It was highlighted that the company realized that people needed tools to be able to browse the internet in a more efficient way.
Through the use of the free VPN, users can access better entertainment content, keep their identity anonymous as they browse and also access websites that are restricted or not allowed in certain countries. Opera mentioned on its website that young individuals are the main users of VPN.
"Everyone deserves to be private online if they want to be. By adding a free, unlimited VPN directly into the browser, no additional download or extensions from an unknown third-party provider are necessary," Opera SVP Krystian Kolondra told India Today. "So, today, our Opera desktop users get a handy way to boost their online privacy, as well as easier access to all their favorite online content no matter where they are."
For users who want to activate their VPN, they need to have the developer version then go to their browser's Settings and Privacy & Security. Opera's free VPN comes in a 256-bit encryption. To check your IP addressyou can log into the router setting page by typing 192.168.1.1 in your browser address bar.
In a test download, The Register said it was fast to enable the free VPN feature but once installed the system slows down. It claimed that the connection using VPN is slightly slower than the normal one.