{
  "id": 9566994,
  "title": "Forget to turn on your VPN? Opera's free browser VPN now does it for you on public Wi-Fi",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/24/forget-to-turn-on-your-vpn-operas-free-browser-vpn-now-does-it-for",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-09-24T14:14:26.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "TechRadar",
    "slug": "techradar",
    "url": "https://www.techradar.com/vpn/vpn-services/forget-to-turn-on-your-vpn-operas-free-browser-vpn-now-does-it-for-you-on-public-wi-fi"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Opera, the popular web browser, has introduced a new feature for its free VPN: the ability to automatically switch on when connected to public Wi-Fi networks. This opt-in feature is set to launch first in the United States and France. However, users must first enable the setting in their browser's preferences. The option has been in testing for a few weeks before its official rollout.\n\nWhile a VPN can provide crucial protection against potential threats on unsecured public networks, many users often forget to activate it, leaving their data vulnerable. By automating this process, Opera aims to encourage more individuals to use their VPN consistently, even when traveling or browsing in public spaces.\n\nOpera's free VPN has been available since 2016, and it operates without requiring an account or imposing any data limits. The service has also undergone independent privacy audits, verifying its no-logs policy. Prior to this update, users had to manually activate the VPN whenever connecting to a public network.\n\nArjan van Leeuwen, Head of Opera One Engineering, emphasizes the importance of VPNs, stating that they are an essential aspect of digital hygiene. Opera points out that competitors like Google Chrome and Apple Safari still lack built-in VPN functionality by default. Additionally, research by We Are Social indicates that only 23% of internet users worldwide utilize a VPN.\n\nIt's important to note that Opera VPN Free only secures traffic within the browser, meaning other applications on your device, such as Spotify or Steam, would remain unprotected. For comprehensive security across all apps, Opera also offers a paid VPN service, Opera VPN Pro, which covers up to six devices and utilizes the Lightway protocol, providing post-quantum protection. Pro subscriptions start at $4 per month with a 7-day free trial available for new users.",
  "summary": "Opera's free browser VPN can now turn on automatically on public or unsecured Wi-Fi. Here's what's new, why it matters, and how Free compares to Pro.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}