How to Enable Tracking Protection on Opera GX

When it comes to browsing the internet, privacy concerns are becoming increasingly important. Many websites track your online activities, and this can leave you vulnerable to hacks and identity theft. Fortunately, Opera GX offers a variety of privacy features including tracking protection. In this article, we’ll explore how to enable tracking protection on Opera GX and take a closer look at the usefulness of this feature.

Understanding Tracking Protection

Before we get started with enabling tracking protection on Opera GX, let’s take a closer look at what this feature is all about.

Tracking protection is a feature that blocks tracking attempts from websites. Using this feature, you’ll be able to keep your browsing activity more private. Opera GX blocks tracking scripts from loading, thus preventing third-party websites from being able to track your behavior while browsing.

But why is tracking protection important? Let's dive a little deeper.

What is Tracking?

Tracking is the practice of collecting information about your online activity and behavior. This information can include your browsing history, search queries, location, and more. Websites use this information to personalize your experience and show you targeted ads.

While some tracking can be harmless, it can also be a serious privacy concern. Tracking can lead to your personal information being shared with third-party companies without your consent, which can put you at risk for identity theft and other online security threats.

Why is Tracking Protection Important?

By blocking tracking scripts, you will be able to stay anonymous while surfing the web. This will prevent websites from storing cookies, which can lead to personalized ads and even security breaches. In addition, since tracking protection will prevent third-party websites from slowing down your browser, you'll also enjoy faster browsing speeds.

But that's not all. Tracking protection can also help protect your online privacy in other ways. For example, it can prevent websites from using your IP address to track your location, and it can also block social media buttons that track your activity across the web.

Overall, tracking protection is an important feature that can help keep you safe and secure while browsing the web. Now that you understand the importance of tracking protection, let's move on to enabling it in Opera GX.

Getting Started with Opera GX

To enable tracking protection on Opera GX, you’ll need to download and install this browser. If you haven’t yet installed Opera GX, follow these steps:

Downloading and Installing Opera GX

You can download Opera GX from the official Opera website. Once you’ve downloaded the installer, simply run it and follow the prompts to install the browser on your computer.

Navigating the Opera GX Interface

Upon launching Opera GX, you’ll be taking to the home page. From here you can access all the settings and features available in Opera GX. To enable tracking protection, you’ll need to navigate to the privacy and security settings.

Enabling Tracking Protection in Opera GX

Now that you’ve downloaded and installed Opera GX on your computer, let’s explore how to enable tracking protection and start protecting your privacy while browsing the internet.

Accessing Privacy and Security Settings

To access privacy and security settings, click on the ‘Menu’ icon in the top-left corner of the Opera GX browser screen. From the list of options that appears, click on ‘Settings,’ and then select ‘Privacy and security.’

Customizing Tracking Protection Preferences

Under the privacy and security tab, navigate to ‘Tracking protection.’ From here, you will see a toggle switch that you can use to enable tracking protection. Click on the switch to turn on tracking protection. You can also choose to customize your preferences to further safeguard your browsing activity.

Activating Tracking Protection for Specific Websites

In cases where you do not want tracking protection on all sites, you may activate it on specific sites. Simply navigate to the site and click on the ‘lock’ icon located within the browser address bar. From the drop-down list, click on ‘Site settings’ and then select ‘Tracking protection.’ Here you can toggle the switch on or off as desired.

Additional Privacy Features in Opera GX

Opera GX provides additional privacy and security features that you may find useful. Let’s take a closer look at each of these features:

Using the Built-in VPN

With Opera GX, you can browse the web using a built-in VPN. To enable VPN, click on the ‘Menu’ icon and select ‘Settings.’ From the settings menu, navigate to the ‘Privacy and security’ tab and then click on the ‘VPN’ drop-down. Choose your preferred VPN location and toggle the switch to ‘On’ to activate VPN on Opera GX. This added layer of security will keep your internet activity and location more private.

Managing Cookies and Site Data

Opera GX allows you to manage and delete cookies, site cache, and other forms of site data that websites store on your computer. To access cookie and site data settings, navigate to ‘Settings’ from the Opera GX menu, then select ‘Privacy and security’ and then click on ‘Site settings.’ Here you can toggle options on and off and delete data from specific websites.

Enabling Ad Blocker

Aside from tracking protection, Opera GX also provides an ad blocker that allows you to browse the web without ads. To enable ad blocking, you can navigate to ‘Settings,’ select ‘Ad blocker’ and toggle the switch to turn on this feature.

Monitoring Your Privacy in Opera GX

After enabling tracking protection and adding other privacy features, you may want to monitor how well Opera GX is protecting your online privacy. Here’s how:

Viewing Blocked Trackers

To view the number of trackers that Opera GX has blocked, you can navigate to ‘Settings,’ select ‘Privacy and security,’ and then view the ‘Blocked trackers’ options. Here you will see a list of all trackers that Opera GX has blocked while you were browsing the web.

Assessing Website Privacy Ratings

Opera GX also provides users with site privacy ratings. This feature allows you to assess how well individual sites protect your privacy. To access this feature, navigate to ‘Site information’ using the ‘lock’ icon located in the browser’s address bar. You will then see a privacy rating for the site, which you can use to determine whether or not you want to browse it.

Conclusion

Enabling tracking protection is an important step in keeping your online activity private. With Opera GX, you can easily enable tracking protection and enjoy safer and faster browsing speeds. Additionally, you have access to other privacy features like VPNs, ad blockers, and site data management tools. As you browse the web, make sure to monitor your privacy settings to ensure that your privacy is protected at all times.