Browser Security News

Security remains the most important attribute of a Web browser. The success of any feature or function aimed at improving Web security often hinges on two factors: usability and how easy it is to configure. It seems Opera Software considered these factors in their latest release of the browser, Opera 9. Let’s review some of the new security features Opera has to offer.

Opera 9 has a range of user-friendly security features, that are easy to configure and designed for the surfing habits of the non-security minded, which makes them more effective since users are more likely to utilize them….

Here are some of Opera 9’s other security features:

1. It supports SSL versions 2 and 3, has TLS 1 and TLS 1.1 enabled by default, and now uses the OpenSSL 0.9.8 crypto library.

2. The pop-up blocker is stronger and there is a new "content blocker," which can block any content, whether images, ads or some other content type based on the URL. However, it needs to be trained on what to block. (Note: While Firefox does offer ad-blocking, it’s not done directly through the browser, but rather through an extension called AdBlock.)

3. Users can easily clear the browser’s history and cache from the Tools menu, and can control what cookies to accept and reject.

4. As in earlier versions you can use 168-bit triple DES encryption to protect your digital certificates, email, news and Wand passwords (Opera’s password manager). Opera 9: Raising the bar in Web browser war