Opera for Android updated with official VPN feature

Opera opened a beta for Android that allowed you to use VPN functionality inside its browser for free earlier this year, and now it’s finally leaving beta and going mainstream. A VPN, or virtual private network, is an intermediary that connects between your device and whatever website you’re trying to reach, encrypting your data along the way. This way your data cannot easily be tracked by your ISP or carrier and your location is hidden.

Opera for Android’s built in VPN is free of charge and uses 256-bit encryption. It also promises not to log any user activity. And if it’s anything like the beta, it will allow you to select a spoofed location so you can bypass many location-based content censors.

While most VPNs encrypt all traffic coming from your device (and usually also work on your computer), they usually cost money. Opera’s built in VPN is free of charge but is limited to the traffic coming from the browser itself. However, it’s still a great way to protect your privacy and even security (open WiFi networks are notoriously insecure and a VPN can prevent your data from being stolen). Download the browser for your Android device and wait for the version 51 update, then toggle on the VPN and get more secure!