You know the feeling: You’re happily surfing the internet when up pops an annoying ad that you have zero interest in. From frustrating pop-ups to ads that plaster themselves across your entire screen — the list goes on. It’s no surprise then that adblockers are one of the most popular browser plugins. Read on to learn more about Opera’s adblocker, how to turn on this handy tool, and how to turn it off when you need to. Also discover how you can boost your online security and privacy by blocking ads, trackers, and dangerous websites with the extensive adblocker features of Avira Secure Browser.
What is Opera?
Opera is an internet browser developed by the Norwegian company Opera Software in 1995. But what many don’t know is that you had to pay for the browser up to the year 2000. After that, a free version became available, but with embedded banner ads. It’s only since 2005 that Opera has been completely free of charge and ad-free, making it as competitive as browsers like Chrome, Edge, and Firefox.
The browser has always been known for its comparatively innovative features and very user-friendly interface. Nowadays, Opera is available for Windows, macOS, Linux as well as Android and iOS.
How does Opera’s adblocker work?
As a cutting-edge browser, Opera comes with a built-in adblocker — so there’s no need to install additional extensions or add-ons. This feature has been included as standard since 2016, which back in the day made Opera the first internet browser with a built-in adblocker.
Opera’s adblocker has three core aims:
- Filter content: Opera’s adblocker analyzes websites the moment you open them in the browser. To do this, it draws on a vast database of known ad networks and tracking scripts. It then immediately blocks these elements on the website you’re viewing.
- Optimize resources: Since there are no ads to display, the browser’s resources are used more efficiently, reducing loading times and saving data.
- Protect your privacy: Ads typically include trackers that analyze your browsing habits to optimize their own services. What’s good about Opera is that its adblocker blocks ads and tracking of your online activities.
The benefits of Opera’s adblocker at a glance:
- You surf more securely as Opera’s adblocker blocks malware-infected ads and prevents unwanted tracking.
- You enjoy a better surfing experience as you no longer have to contend with annoying ads.
- Your browser speed is increased as Opera’s adblocker blocks unsavory elements, stopping them from loading.
- The amount of data you use is reduced, which is fantastic if you’re using a mobile device with a data cap.
How can I turn Opera’s adblocker on or off?
Since Opera’s adblocker is already built in, it’s super easy to turn it on or off. In just a few clicks, you’ll banish annoying ads and unwanted tracking.
Here’s how to turn Opera’s adblocker on or off:
- Open Opera
- Go to Settings (the icon on the top right with the three horizontal bars)
- Scroll down to Privacy & Security
- Select the slider next to Block ads
- Toggle it to turn the adblocker feature on or off
A faster way to get to Opera’s browser settings is to use the key combo Alt + P (Windows) or Cmd + , (Mac). You can then turn Opera’s adblocker on or off really quickly.
Note: Certain web pages will block access to content if you use an adblocker. But help is at hand since Opera allows you to add such websites to an exception list. To do that, simply click the shield icon in the address bar to stop ads being blocked on that website.
How can I block ads when using the gaming browser Opera GX?
Opera GX is an internet browser designed specifically for gamers. Although it might look basically the same as the standard Opera browser, it offers several additional features that are really useful for gamers.
Among them, GX Control lets you limit how much CPU, RAM, and network bandwidth the browser uses. This helps you avoid any losses in performance, especially when playing resource-hungry titles. GX Cleaner is a quick and easy way to delete temporary internet files like those stored in the cache and browser cookies as well as other files that eat up precious storage space and sap your system’s performance.
Alongside other features designed mainly for gamers, Opera GX also has a built-in adblocker. You can turn this on or off in exactly the same way as described above.
How do I block trackers in Opera?
You can get Opera to block not only annoying ads but also trackers. They’re quick and easy to block thanks to this feature being built in to the browser.
Here’s how to block trackers in Opera:
- Open Opera
- Go to Settings (the icon on the top right with the three horizontal bars)
- Scroll down to Privacy & Security
- Select the slider next to Block trackers
- Toggle it to turn the tracker blocking feature on or off
The tracker blocker prevents third parties from tracking what you get up to online, protecting your privacy. You can also add tracking exceptions for certain websites just as you can with the adblocker.
Surf even more safely with Avira Secure Browser
Opera’s adblocker blocks annoying and potentially harmful ads and prevents unwanted tracking. But you can take your surfing safety to an even higher level with Avira Secure Browser and enjoy effective protection from additional internet threats. The browser blocks ads and trackers — plus it protects you from dangerous websites and phishing attacks. On top of that, anti-fingerprinting protection prevents the harvesting of your personal data, protecting your privacy.
You also get to enjoy Avira Secure Browser’s security features like protection from webcam surveillance and secure password management. All these tools give you complete control over your online privacy — and all this in a fast, user-friendly browser.