Opera's eponymously-named desktop Web browser was updated Tuesday with a few new features more popular rivals might take notice of -- in particular its Speed Dial extensions.

Opening the Norwegian company's latest browser release, Opera 11.50, takes users to a landing page with thumbnails of websites a user visits frequently, which Opera calls Speed Dial. But Speed Dial is nothing new. Opera's had this feature for a bit, and Chrome, Safari and Internet Explorer 9 each offer similar options.

Opera 11.50's Speed Dial extensions work like desktop widgets and other Web apps. Speed Dial extensions fill a thumbnail with live, updated information instead of a simple thumbnail to a website.

The approach is similar to Microsoft Windows Phone 7's live tiles, which provide active data rather than a static icon.

Opera has 662 Speed Dial extensions available for download in its extension catalog. More extensions that take advantage of the ability to have live animations and data feeds are on the way from developers worldwide, said Thomas Ford, an Opera spokesman.

Among the current options are RSS newsfeeds, weather updates, live-updating email extensions and others that display photo collections in a Speed Dial box.

The updated browser also has a slight redesign for a cleaner, less cluttered look of buttons. It also has the addition of Opera Link, which remembers and syncs Speed Dial extensions, bookmarks, user names and passwords across any Opera browser a user logs into, on any device -- for example, across a home laptop, a work PC, a tablet and even a smartphone.

Source: http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/technology/2011/06/opera-releases-115-version-of-opera-browser.html

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Posted by Jenny on Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Recently, Opera released the new version of web browser. Opera 11.01 comes with additional features and mitigates five vulnerabilities including a recently disclosed critical vulnerability. The critical vulnerability was caused by integer truncation error and allowed remote attackers to execute malicious code. The new version also mitigates vulnerabilities, which allowed clickjacking attacks, allowed high privileges to remote web pages and allowed access to email accounts even after deleting private data. A vulnerability in browser configuration allowed attackers to bypass restrictions and initiate clickjacking attacks. The high risk vulnerability allowed attackers to manipulate users to click on a seemingly legitimate but fake links to gain control of their computers or gain unauthorized access to privileged information.

The latest version also mitigates another high risk vulnerability, which caused the browser to erroneously provide escalated privileges to remote web pages. The vulnerability allowed attackers to gain unauthorized privileges and upload files from the affected systems as web resources and extract confidential information.

Opera 11.01 mitigates fixes a moderate vulnerability associated with the 'delete private data' tool of the browser. The clear all email account passwords option under the tool does not clear all the data immediately and allows access to an e-mail account until the browser is restarted. Usually, professionals who have undergone certified ethical hacker training help developers to identify security flaws in products and applications. In this case, the vulnerabilities were identified by various security researchers.

Unpatched web browsers are vulnerable to security breaches. Users must apply appropriate security patches to web browsers and associated plug-in to reduce instances of attacks and security breaches. Internet users may benefit from the online computer training programs and update themselves on cyber security tips and precautions.

The new version does not support javascript - URLs in Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) o-link values and enables websites to filter untrusted CSS.

The updated version also enables the Mac OS file quarantine. The quarantine places a flag on downloaded files and alerts users opening one such file.

Regular in-depth security evaluation of products through penetration testing may help developers in identifying vulnerabilities and mitigating them before their exploitation by attackers.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/5810492

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Posted by Jenny on Thursday, June 23, 2011


Opera has unveiled the new Opera Mini 6 for the iPhone and iPad on Tuesday and is now available at the Apple App Store for free download.

Opera claims that the new browser will have “faster and smoother” zoom and pan and will have buttons for automatic sharing via Facebook and Twitter, reports the Register. The way the Opera browser works is that it uses Opera proxy servers that compress data before sending it to client for much faster download times. The new Opera Mini 6 claims over 90 percent of data compression which would make for a much faster browsing experience.

A hands-on report by Cnet finds that the new Opera Mini 6 has new features that make for easy navigation, including a way to manage search engines and web browsers. Opera’s Speed Dial also provides quick access to favorite sites through a convenient 3X3 layout.

The Opera browser was launched in April 2010 and has since become the most popular mobile browser in the world with 21.9 percent of the market, and 105 million monthly users, most of which are Apple iOS users, reports the LA Times. While the iPhone and the iPad come equipped with the Safari browser, users have the option of downloading the Opera browser at the App Store.

“Every platform is important to us, but the iPhone is hugely important to Opera, especially in the U.S.,” said Opera product manager, Phillip Gronvold “But Safari is rock solid, iOS is rock solid and we have no problem saying that. And so, from Opera Mini 5 to Opera Mini 6, we’ve made a big shift in what we’re trying to do.”

News Source:  http://www.topcomputertablets.com/opera-releases-new-mini-browser-for-iphone-ipad/226140/

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Posted by Jenny on Saturday, June 18, 2011

*Opera: The Pros*
Opera's browser is light-weight and well-built. The download and program size is much smaller than IE, and it offers multiple ways to improve the speed. It's newest version, 10.00, is the fastest yet. The Opera browser now offers a Turbo mode that compresses pictures as webpages load, which is perfect for dial-up and poor wifi connection users. Even high speed services can benefit from faster page loading at times. This browser is, and has been, considered one of the most secure browsers available. Opera has the unique advantage of being little known. Virus and hacking threats and techniques that are made to attack personal computers are targeted towards the most used browser: Internet Explorer. Since Opera is lesser known, it is safe from the majority of attacks.

Some of the new unique features you cannot find on Internet Explorer include visual tabs (changing the tabs into thumbnails of webpages, also, a preview of the site available when hovered over), and a moveable tab bar (can be moved the the left, right, or bottom of the page). Speed dial, a growing popular feature for browsers is a long time feature that has yet to be available on Internet Explorer. Speed dial is a page that opens with a new tab or can be set to open in place of a home page. It offers thumbnails (now in customizable numbers and other option) of favorite websites for one-click access. There are a large variety of features and benefits that would be difficult to discuss every one, but Opera by far highly exceeds in being customizable and convenient.

As far as speed and security, Opera, like any browser has these issues as a top priority and continually improves these areas. Opera has a the benefit of being little known and therefore has less security threats to overcome. When it comes to improving speed, Opera takes the cake. Not only have they had a long standing feature to handle image loading for faster speeds (and security), Opera now offers the "Turbo Mode" which is excellent for dial-up and other slow connections. Its a compression tool that chows down on page loading time. You can even set it up to automatically detect slow connections and turn on when needed! This is far beyond where any browser has tread.

*Opera: The Cons*
Quite simply, IE is integrated with the operating system. It's already installed on the computer, so your computer will download the latest version, patches, and any other related tool for you, providing you use automatic updates. Opera is a separate company, so downloading is necessary. For slow connections, downloading this program could be difficult and you may have problems getting it downloaded.

Also, Opera is simply different. People who do not need many bells and whistles and don't use the Internet very often may not see the need for another browser or all of it's features. Handy helpful shortcuts may simply be a confusing hassle to someone who is not accustomed to new features, like mouse gestures (allows you to move forward, back, open new tabs, etc., by clicking and moving the mouse).

In all, Opera is perfect for people who need a faster browser and use the Internet and computers frequently. They will have no problems using or downloading Opera and may prefer it to Internet Explorer for some of the features listed here, and others. Internet Explorer continues to do well to be a solid, user-friendly browser for amateur users and those who don't want to change to another.

Source: http://goo.gl/JA6B9

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Posted by Jenny on Monday, June 13, 2011

Security flaws have long plagued Internet Explorer (IE), the market-dominating web browser from Microsoft. IE won the early browser wars, not only because it was free and bundled with Windows, but because it had some features and capabilities that its only real competitor, Netscape, didn't have. But the behind-the-scenes programming that makes those features possible is the very coding that also leaves wide gaps in IE's defenses against viruses and malicious scripting. Among several browser alternatives for Windows users, the Opera browser stands out in functionality and integration, and is gaining a wider following as a safer surfing alternative to Internet Explorer.

To be sure, there are other browsers such as the one from Mozilla and their newest release, Firefox. There are several flavors of IE "overlays", which use the core IE programming for web page display, and thus aren't any safer than the original IE. (You should of course always use anti-virus software to protect your PC, regardless of browser. Many viruses arrive as email attachments, and opening those on a Windows-based PC will cause problems). Among non-IE browsers, it seems to be down to a two-horse race between Mozilla and Opera.

Opera, from Oslo, Norway, based Opera Software ASA, provides many popular features. An integrated email client, contact book, bookmarks with searchable notes, tabbed multiple windows, a built-in password manager, a pop-up blocker, multiple language support, saved sessions, privacy controls, built-in chat, and the ability to read RSS feeds from within Opera mail make the Opera browser a very powerful and worthwhile IE replacement candidate.

Unless you have special need for IE, such as a browser toolbar or web interaction software that you use, there is really no reason not to give Opera a try if you're worried about safe surfing. While Opera does have a paid version, you can also download a sponsored version (with ads unobtrusively placed in the browser control area), which is free.

Source: http://goo.gl/8RfaW

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Posted by Jenny on Friday, June 3, 2011