Opera markets itself as a privacy browser thanks to its free VPN and built-in tracker blocker, but its defaults still share a surprising amount with Opera Software's partners. Here is how to get the most out of what Opera offers — and where its claims need a reality check. Verified on Opera for Windows (version 115.x) in August 2026.
1. Turn on the tracker blocker
Settings → Privacy & Security → Ad blocking → Enable ad blocking and tick Block trackers. Opera's blocker is decent for a built-in feature and needs no extension. Note it blocks ads and trackers on pages it has a filter for; it is not a complete ad blocker.
2. Use the free VPN only for what it's for
Settings → Privacy & Security → VPN → Enable VPN. Opera's built-in VPN encrypts the connection and hides your IP from the site you visit. Honest limitations:
- It covers only the browser, not other apps.
- You cannot choose your exit country freely.
- It protects your IP, not your cookies or logins — those still follow you.
For real system-wide protection use a dedicated VPN provider.
3. Set your privacy search engine
Settings → Search Engine → Manage search engines and set DuckDuckGo or Startpage as default. Opera's default search is often Bing/Yahoo; every query from the address bar then goes to that engine's servers.
4. Turn off Opera's data sharing
Settings → Privacy & Security and untick, where present:
- Help improve Opera by sending usage data
- Personalized ads / interest-based advertising toggles
- Sync if you are not actively using it (it stores encrypted history, but "encrypted" is only as good as your master password).
5. Block notifications and permissions
Settings → Privacy & Security → Site settings → Notifications → Don't allow sites to ask and keep camera/mic/location on Ask. Opera's notification spam is identical to Chrome's once you allow one site.
6. Delete cookies on exit
Settings → Privacy & Security → Cookies → Delete cookies when I close Opera (tick it), or block third-party cookies with Block third-party cookies.
7. Review extensions
Opera's extension store is smaller and historically riskier than Chrome's. Menu → Extensions → Extensions and remove anything you did not install yourself. Prefer well-known names also published on Chrome Web Store with many reviews.
8. Be careful with Opera's promotions
Opera regularly bundles cashback, news, and other partner features into the sidebar. Settings → Search or News sections let you turn off News, Cashback, and Aria (AI) if you do not want their network requests. Leaving them on feeds Opera's partners more browsing data.
What we could not verify
Opera moves options between versions faster than other browsers, and some data-sharing toggles are shown conditionally based on your region. If a toggle above is missing, check Opera Help's official pages rather than assuming it is gone.
FAQ
Is Opera's free VPN safe to use for banking? It hides your IP from the site, which is fine, but it does not protect against phishing or malware on the page itself, and it does not protect other apps. Use it as a convenience, not a security product.
Is Opera more private than Chrome? With the settings above, yes, because of the tracker blocker and VPN. Without them, Opera shares data with Opera Software and its search/news partners, so the defaults matter a lot.
Will the tracker blocker break sites? Occasionally. Use the shield icon in the address bar to disable it per site without turning it off globally.
Do I still need a dedicated ad-blocker extension? For most people, no. If you want stronger coverage, uBlock Origin is the open-source standard and works in Opera.
Related reading
- Browser Privacy Guide: Lock Down Any Browser
- The Safe Browser Extensions Guide
- Incognito Mode Myths: What It Really Does and Doesn't Do
- How to Remove a Browser Extension Safely
Sources
- Opera Help — "Ad blocker and tracker blocker" (help.opera.com)
- Opera Help — "VPN"
- Opera Help — "Privacy" section of settings documentation
Last reviewed: August 2026. Verified on Opera for Windows, version 115.x.
---Written by Hassan Arshad, founder of UsefulOrbit. Last updated August 31, 2026.