Opera VPN: A Fast, Free and Unlimited Ad-blocking VPN for iOS

Article by George Norman (Cybersecurity Editor)

on 10 May 2016

Remember how Opera built native ad-blocking technology and integrated a free, unlimited VPN into its browser, explaining that "everyone deserves to be private online if they want to be?"

Well, there was a catch. The term "everyone" you see, didn’t actually refer to everyone, it referred to computer users only. It did not include mobile users who browse the web on an iPhone or iPad.

But fear not, the Norwegian browser-maker addressed the situation by releasing Opera VPN, a fast, reliable, unlimited VPN that blocks online trackers and can block ads as well.

It is Opera’s first full, free VPN app for iOS.

“We’re thrilled to announce the launch of Opera VPN, a free iOS app that will let you enjoy more of your favorite apps and of the internet,” Opera announced. “It allows you to change your virtual location by connecting you to one of five regions and borrowing an IP address from that area. You can choose among the U.S., Canada, Germany, Singapore and The Netherlands.”




Why you should (and need) to use a VPN

If you think the internet is unrestricted and safe, then you’re in for a shock: it isn’t! There are websites that won’t let you in because you’re from the "wrong" geographical location, there are companies that want to track your every move, and there are cybercriminals that want to steal your data. What can you do to address all of these annoyances? The answer is simple: use a VPN.

Using a VPN has three main advantages:
  • Security – you’re surfing on an encrypted connection, meaning you’re protected against would-be eavesdroppers and cybercriminals. The data you send and receive is encrypted so that no one can see it.
  • Privacy – VPNs can block online trackers, prevent the collection of personal data, and hide your real IP address.
  • Location spoofing – among other things, your IP address reveals your geographical location. Websites can tell where you’re from and block you. By connecting to a VPN server, you can trick the website into thinking you’re from another location.
“Every day, millions of people, from students to working people, find that social-media sites like Snapchat, Instagram and Facebook are blocked when they surf on their campus or workplace Wi-Fi. The same goes for video-streaming sites. With the new Opera VPN app, we help people to break down the barriers of the web and enjoy the internet like it should be,” said Chris Houston, President of Surfeasy, Opera’s VPN division.


Why you should go get Opera VPN for iOS

Or to put it in other words, here’s a quick look at the main features you can expect to get from Opera VPN:
  • Full, free VPN – Opera VPN is a fast, reliable and unlimited VPN app that works on iPhone and iPad.
  • Virtual locations – connect to VPN servers from the U.S., Canada, Germany, Singapore and The Netherlands.
  • Block ads – Opera VPN features a built-in ad blocker for ads in Safari, Chrome and other apps.
  • Block trackers – it also features a built-in tracker blocker to enhance online privacy.
  • Supported languages – Opera VPN is available in multiple languages, including English, Arabic, French, German, Indonesian, Japanese, Portuguese, Russian and Spanish.
  • Free – Opera offers this VPN app for the awesome price of free. It’s free for life.
Go get Opera VPN for free from Apple’s App Store.




Meet Olaf, Opera VPN’s most awesome mascot

This red bearded Viking is named Olaf. He is the mascot Opera chose for its new Opera VPN app.




The story behind the story

A year ago, Opera Software acquired SurfEasy, company that develops desktop and mobile VPN software. By using SurfEasy’s expertise, Opera was able to integrate a free an unlimited VPN into its browser and it was able to release the free Opera VPN app for iOS. This means that alongside the SufEasy family of products, there’s now a built-in VPN in Opera for computers and the free Opera VPN app for iOS.

Speaking about Opera VPN being free… there is something that you should know. While the app is completely free to install and use, Opera and SurfEasy plan to make money from it in two ways:
  • By introducing advertising into the application (not right now, but sometime in the future).
  • By collecting anonymous data about how people use their mobile device and making it available to third parties who want a better understanding of the mobile ecosystem.
“It’s important to understand that this is not data about what you do with your phone, but rather this is data about how a large group of people use their phones," Chris Houston, SurfEasy’s President explained. “It’s very much like taking part in a survey – there is very little value in your personal answers since your answers may not be representative of the larger population. But if you ask 100,000 people, then you start to get answers that are statistically significant. We do not store or distribute any data that could be used to determine your personal online activities."


In related news...

Just like Opera, security company Avira has a new VPN to offer: Avira Phantom VPN. While Opera VPN is available for iOS, Avira Phantom VPN is available for Windows and Android.



"As more people bring their laptops into cafes and log into banking sites and online accounts from their smartphones, they need to have a secure and encrypted connection to the Internet from anywhere," said Melanie Weber, head of the VPN project at Avira. "We've made Phantom VPN free and very simple to install on both your Windows and your Android devices. There's no reason not to get it today."

Use Avira Phantom VPN without registering and you’ll get 500MB of traffic for free. Register and you get 1GB. Pay to get Avira Phantom Pro and you get unlimited traffic.

Download Avira Phantom VPN for Windows right here on FindMySoft. Learn more about it here.



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