This seems to be the season for major new versions of browsers. A couple of days after Mozilla released Firefox 12, Opera has pushed out a beta of version 12 of its browser, which includes several security updates, such as private browsing and support for the Do Not Track header.
The new version of Opera also includes a new feature that displays different badges in the address bar based on the security of the connection with the site that the user is on. Most of the other major browsers have a similar visual cue for users when a connection is encrypted or is with a trusted Web site. The schem in Opera 12 comprises four separate badges for normal HTTP connections, secure, trusted and turbo connections.
“An enhanced address field makes it easy to stay safe on the Web. The complexity of long addresses is hidden to make it clear which site you are visiting. A colored badge also indicates the quality of encryption that is used; clicking it gives you detailed information about the site,” Opera said in the notes for the version 12 beta.
Opera 12 beta also includes support for the Do Not Track header, a technology that allows users to specify whether they want to allow any sites to track them across the Web or use third-party cookies. Most of the other popular browsers, including Internet Explorer and Firefox, have implemented a version of the DNT system. Google has announced that it will support the technology in Chrome, as well.
The Opera browser also includes an automatic update system, similar to the one that Mozilla has implemented in Firefox 12, that allows users to have updates downloaded and installed automatically.
