Opera is continuing its push into the security and privacy market with the launch of a standalone virtual private network (VPN) for Android, based on earlier work the company had carried out on iOS.
Opera, currently under a $600m deal with Chinese consortium Kunqi, has been looking to spread its wings and diversify from its core browser technology for some time. Following the integration of ad-blocking technology into the Opera browser, the company announced it was adding a VPN with zero usage fees - then offered the same VPN as as standalone application to iOS mobile devices.
The company has now completed work to port that standalone app to Android, offering the ability to route traffic through an encrypted tunnel to endpoints in various countries - and, as with the browser-based version, there are no fees involved. The software works with any application installed on the device, and includes additional features from a Wi-Fi 'security check' - which, naturally, marks you down if you haven't activated the VPN - to a do-not-track implementation.
Without fees, though, there is the question of how the system is being funded. In previous announcements, Opera has suggested it may look to monetise the SurfEasy-powered platform in the future by injecting advertising - though, at present, there is no advertising to be found.
The software is available now on the Play Store, and the previous SurfEasy-branded iOS version can be found on the App Store.
Opera, currently under a $600m deal with Chinese consortium Kunqi, has been looking to spread its wings and diversify from its core browser technology for some time. Following the integration of ad-blocking technology into the Opera browser, the company announced it was adding a VPN with zero usage fees - then offered the same VPN as as standalone application to iOS mobile devices.
The company has now completed work to port that standalone app to Android, offering the ability to route traffic through an encrypted tunnel to endpoints in various countries - and, as with the browser-based version, there are no fees involved. The software works with any application installed on the device, and includes additional features from a Wi-Fi 'security check' - which, naturally, marks you down if you haven't activated the VPN - to a do-not-track implementation.
Without fees, though, there is the question of how the system is being funded. In previous announcements, Opera has suggested it may look to monetise the SurfEasy-powered platform in the future by injecting advertising - though, at present, there is no advertising to be found.
The software is available now on the Play Store, and the previous SurfEasy-branded iOS version can be found on the App Store.
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