Opera debuts free VPN built into desktop browser

Opera went live today with a VPN embedded into its desktop browser. Described as “free, no-log and easy to use,” the VPN uses 256-bit AES encryption to connect to one of Opera’s five data centres.

With this move, Opera gives a fillip to those who need or want their online privacy. It is also a warning shot across the bows of fee-charging VPN subscription services.

More trivially, the service is very unlikely to help you bypass Netflix’s VPN blocking, but it may help users spoof some of the more rudimentary geo-blocking controls that content providers put in place.

"If people knew how the internet truly works, I believe they all would use a VPN," says Krystian Kolondra, SVP of Opera browser for computers. "By making our browser VPN free and easy to use, we hope to make it an essential tool, just as the lock and key is to your house."

Opera explains the rationale for free browser-built-in VPN, which also incorporates Adblocker, here. ®