The web browsers which help us in extracting information from the pool of world wide web aren’t always safe. The web browsing history apparently has a lot of value in the internet world and it doesn’t take a genius to work out who is accessing what website at what point in time. There are many hackers to feed the ad machines and drive this multi-billion-dollar ad industry. The web browser also allows storing cookies that help to remember login details which is a threat to a lot of users. Since privacy is at stake, there are few steps which a user can undertake to enhance the security of browsing the internet with Opera browser. 

There are many browsers available in the market but none of them is bulletproof and hence making your favorite browser secure is one thing which everyone can do. This post lists the tips and tricks to save you from breaches while using the Opera web browser.

Enable deleting history/cookies on exit

In the settings menu, you can select the preference of deleting cookies and cache memory every time you close the browser. This prevents your information from being leaked. You might have noticed that if you browse through any e-commerce website then clothes or accessories which you add to the wishlist keep on appearing in the form od ads whenever you open any other website. This is because your cookies get leaked but if you enable auto-deleting of history every time you close the browser then it can stop advertisers from tracking your online activities. 

Keep your Opera updated

Browsers are updated frequently to plug security holes. We usually tend to delay the updates, but it is unhealthy for your browsing experience. If you see an update for your Opera browser, update it before you start browsing. Every time you update make sure you choose not to save passwords and delete browsing history. 

Uninstall toolbars

The Opera browser comes with integrated toolbars which affect the appearance and performance of the browser. These toolbars contain quick links to many other websites which interfere or conflict with other software installed on your device. These toolbars are really annoying as they contain the links of least known websites. 

Make sure that your Opera is 64-bit

The browsers are available in both 32-and 64-bit versions. 64-bit offers great protection against attacks as compared to the 32 bit one. There is a good chance that you might still have a 32-bit version installed on your device. Upgrade it to 64-bit version if you have not already done so. 

Sign up for security alerts

Google enables you to set up alerts for specific keywords. You can receive an instant alert anytime there is a content which hits the web containing the keywords. You can put something like: “Opera Web browser” as a keyword and get alerted whenever Opera wants its customers to know about something critical. 

Block pop-ups and phishing websites

Often, when you open a website, you see 10 windows getting opened and you struggle to find the one which you intended to open. These extra pop-ups contain misleading information which is intended to attack your browser and steal confidential information including the passwords. Therefore, it is required to block pop-ups and phishing websites which can spam your browser. Refrain from clicking unknown or unsolicited links as they can inject the virus in your device. If you are extremely sure, then allow for pop-ups on an exceptional basis for a few websites. 

Antivirus is a must

Malware can hijack your browser; thus you need to have Antivirus which can keep these unwanted programs away from your device. You might just be installing software, but these unwanted programs slip past without you getting to know about them. Antivirus blocks downloads of these weeds and also bolster your browser’s security. 

Plug-ins and extensions

You should be extra cautious while downloading plug-ins or extensions as they can put you at risk. However, there are few browser extensions which you should ensure for added security. These might already be inbuilt in Opera but no harm in ensuring their availability. Having an additional VPN is a good idea. It encrypts all your traffic and can help access restricted content. In addition, recently, the links are shortened to adjust them in hashtag posts but few of these links are to mask malicious websites. There are a lot of services that help you in giving the full link of the website and save you from getting caught in malicious hands. Yes, overall browser extensions are awesome as they enhance your browsing experience, but you should limit their usage. Some browser extensions can insert advertisements into the web pages that you visit and do nasty things by capturing keystrokes and browsing history. 

Turn off passwords and forms Autofill function

Opera can save your private information such as your email address, phone number, home address and passwords to make it easier for you to input your details on many websites. Turn this feature off as it could be very dangerous if this information gets leaked. 

Conclusion

There are few features in every browser which are dedicated towards protection of your data but are not enabled by default. Enhancing privacy settings is the right thing to do, especially for less cyber-savvy users who might not know how to stay safe online. There are security features in every browser, but they are not used because people are not aware of them. Opera comes with many inbuilt safety features such as encrypted data transfers and ad blockers but if they are not activated then they fail to achieve the main objective.