Opera Brings Its Free VPN Service To Android (techcrunch.com) 26
Frederic Lardinois, writing for TechCrunch: Earlier this year, Opera launched its free and unlimited VPN service for iOS; today it is bringing the same functionality to Android. Like the iOS version, the Android app is based on Opera's acquisition of SurfEasy in 2015 and allows you to surf safely when you are on a public network. While Opera's marketing mostly focuses on safety, Opera VPN also allows you to appear as if you are in the U.S., Canada, Germany, Singapore and The Netherlands, so it's also a way to route around certain geo-restrictions without having to opt for a paid service. In addition to its VPN features, the service also allows you to block ad trackers. Somewhat ironically, though, the app itself will show you some pretty unintrusive ads. "The Opera VPN app for Android sets itself apart from other VPNs by offering a completely free service; without a data limit, no log-in required, advanced Wi-Fi protection features and no need for a subscription," says Chris Houston, the president of Opera's SurfEasy VPN division, in today's announcement.
A welcome addition to my devices (Score:2)
Cool, this is most welcome new!
Re:A welcome addition to my devices (Score:4, Insightful)
You mean Opera who was bought by a Chinese company Opera?
Good luck with that. Staying secure on a VPN requires the middleman to be secure.
Re: A welcome addition to my devices (Score:3, Insightful)
If you want it just to watch videos that you otherwise couldn't then who cares. If you want privacy then what company in the world CAN be trusted?
Re:A welcome addition to my devices (Score:4, Insightful)
While I appreciate the security concern, I'm more interested in the bypassing of geo-restrictions. If I need to be secure, I have other avenues.
Re: (Score:2)
I had the same concern as well, and the Wikipedia page for Opera Software doesn't mention the Chinese acquisition.
hey, but it's FREE! (Score:4, Insightful)
Opera Brings Its Free MitM Service To Android
TFTFY.
Re: (Score:2)
You mean Opera who was bought by a Chinese company Opera?
To nitpick, they weren't bought. We can only say they were bought after they've overcome regulatory approvals. Only last month the entire process collapsed and started a new with the Chinese offering money for considerably less (though still including the browser part) of Opera.
The sale has not yet been concluded, though ... it is likely to go ahead.
Use a VPN effectively run by China? (Score:4, Insightful)
Re: (Score:2)
The Chinese don't own it yet.
Several questions (Score:5, Interesting)
Is this browser keybridged [sophos.com] to Opera Corporate? Is Opera able to decrypt TLS sessions run through the VPN? Does this add Opera-controlled root CAs that allow mitm?
Opera Mini has terrible security, as it uses the native Android WebKit/WebView. Does Opera guarantee that anything it provides for this VPN has current patches and passes all relevant tests (i.e. http://ssllabs.com [ssllabs.com]?
Doesn't work in China. (Score:1)
Just downloaded it directly from Opera's website. Installed. Won't connect. Uninstalled.