How do Firefox and Opera compare, and which one should you pick if security and privacy are your priority?
Firefox: How Secure Is It?
Developed by the Mozilla Foundation and its subsidiary, the Mozilla Corporation, Firefox was launched in 2002 as an alternative to Netscape, which was market leader at the time.
Over the years, Firefox became synonymous with online privacy and security, amassing millions of users from across the globe. But has it stood the test of time in terms of security?
For a start, Firefox has very good tracking protection. The user can choose between Standard, Strict, and Custom settings. To access and change the settings, click the three little bars in the upper right corner, navigate to Settings, and scroll down to Privacy & Security. Alternatively, you can simply type about:preferences#privacy in the address bar.
With the Standard setting selected, the browser blocks trackers in private windows only. Fingerprinters, cryptominers, and social media trackers are blocked in the Strict setting. The Custom option can block all of the above, plus various types of cookies.
Firefox does collect user data by default, as stated in its privacy policy, but it does not sell it to third parties. However, all data collection can be disabled in the Privacy & Security menu.
Firefox also has a built-in password manager, which stores and encrypts user passwords. Though not as good as some paid password managers, it certainly gets the job done.
Firefox also has its own security-focused add-ons. Containers is one of the best and most useful ones, as it allows users to compartmentalize their browsing for an extra layer of security. Firefox Monitor is a great add-on as well—it informs the user if their email addresses and passwords have been leaked, sort of like an in-browser Have I Been Pwned.
Opera: Is It Still Safe?
Opera was developed by two Norwegian programmers and released in 1995, years before most browsers we use today.
Opera is not nearly as popular as it used to be, and people who care about security have steered clear of it since 2016, when it was purchased by a Chinese consortium. While China is not exactly known for transparency and digital security, an Opera spokesperson argues that:
Nonetheless, some concerns persist. Are these fears really justified, and how safe is Opera today? A look at Opera’s privacy policy is enough to give one pause. For example, the policy states that the browser uses third-party technology and code, “some of which may use your data in different ways.”
Opera also has a built-in Virtual Private Network (VPN). It is completely free and hides the user’s IP address and location without affecting performance too much. But there has been considerable controversy over this feature, with Restore Privacy describing it as a “data collection tool in disguise.”
According to the outlet, Opera’s VPN is not really a VPN but rather a browser proxy. It actually collects user data instead of obscuring it through a tunneling protocol, and then sells it for advertisements and promotions. Among other things, it collects information about your device and operating system.
Like most browsers nowadays, Opera has a private mode. Unlike some of its competition, however, it is highly customizable, intuitive, and visually appealing.
Opera vs. Firefox: Draw Your Own Conclusion
Opera is sleek, has a lot of cool features, is reliable, and faster than many of its competitors. But on the security and privacy front, it simply does not deliver.
For those who actually want to stay safe online and protect their personal data, Firefox is a much better choice than Opera. And if you’re not a fan of Firefox for some reason, there are other options to consider—all of them are better than Opera.
