Opera Software added another feature to their desktop browser, also known simply as Opera. It now contains a built-in VPN or virtual private network. It is free, it is unlimited, and it is ready for download. This added feature brings in an additional privacy layer which will benefit most who bring their laptops and connect to Wi-Fi hotspots in different places.

Kyristian Kolondra, Senior Vice President for Global Engineering, Opera for computers, made the announcement on behalf of the company, last Wednesday, April 20. She revealed their newly added feature to the developer version of their desktop browser.

Kolondra said, "We are the first major browser maker to integrate an unlimited and free VPN or virtual private network. Now, you don't have to download VPN extensions or pay for VPN subscriptions to access blocked websites and to shield your browsing when on public Wi-Fi."

VPN is not entirely new and has been around for a while. Users simply need to download extensions for their respective internet browsers and surf away. However, they offer a limited amount of data. Once it's fully consumed, users are not anonymous anymore. Another option is to sign up for a paid subscription.

Opera's VPN feature eliminates all that.

The company has decided to include the VPN feature after studying a survey conducted by Global Web Index. According to the statistics, 24 percent of the population who are surfing the internet have tried or are currently using VPN. The reasons behind the usage are:

• Better entertainment access
• Anonymously surf the web
• Access restricted site and network
• Access work related restricted sites
• Get in touch with family members in other countries
• Country-restricted news websites

The company also enumerated its browser's advantage with the built-in VPN, which includes:

• A virtual IP address will be used instead of the actual IP address being used by the machine, which will make it harder for websites to track one's location, thus offering a more private internet surfing.
• The built-in VPN will also allow users to access social networking sites, video-streaming websites, and other services normally blocked by firewalls. There are schools, workplaces, as well as countries that prevent its users to access such websites.
• Opera browser with the VPN feature will also mask one's machine, giving more security when connected to public Wi-Fi hotspots, where intruders or hackers can easily access data.

Additionally, the latest developer version of Opera contains the video pop-up and personalized theme features, plus, users can update the built-in ad blocker and add their own block list.

The Opera developer version with the built-in VPN can be downloaded from their website and is available for Windows, Mac and Linux.