Opera Max Adds Public Wi-Fi Security On Top Of Data Savings

Opera Max is a service and an app on Android that tries to help you save on data usage by compressing the data that comes from and goes to your Android device. However, those data savings might not be of much use when your device has been hacked or snooped on because you happen to be in a compromised public Wi-Fi. Opera proposes a solution that hits two birds with one stone. By upgrading its app to use SPDY with SSL, Opera promises not only secure Internet use in a public hotspot but also faster speeds.

SPDY is the protocol that Google developed to speed up Internet connections and data transfer. The protocol itself has been practically abandoned when Google was able to get most of it incorporated into the HTTP/2.o standard. But while that's still on its way towards adoption, Opera is going to use it to speed up the Internet performance of Android apps via Opera Max.

Opera Max also encrypts the SPDY connection using SSL, ensuring that even in a public Wi-Fi network, you will be safe from hackers. That said, SSL has also had its moments of insecurity, so it's not always bulletproof protection. Opera also boasts of how this two new features make is possible to have fasts browsing speeds even in congested networks, allowing users to still enjoy video and music streaming in those instances.

It should be noted, however, how Opera Max performs this magic. Opera practically operates a VPN service that compresses data that is channeled through it, which brings about the data savings it promises. You are, in effect, sending your data through Opera's servers, which requires your trust of the company. And as a VPN, it might also be blocked by some services that have a beef with proxies. For now, however, it seems that Netflix users are safe.

SOURCE: Opera