The new fraud protection that will come with Opera version 9.1 will be turned off by default.
We made that decision since this is still a relatively new feature (and concept) to users that we didn’t want to confuse them. We think they need some time getting used to it, so for now we’ve made it an opt-in feature.
If you enjoyed this post, then make sure you subscribe to my RSS Feed.Opera Watch, an Opera browser blog, is run by Daniel Goldman, who used to work for Opera Software as a Technical Evangelist.
Subscribe to Opera Watch, and stay in touch with the latest Opera browser buzz.
Daniel Goldman: daniel@operawatch.com.
Note: I encourage you to copy and translate my blog posts to your non-English blog. Do you have an Opera blog (with more than 90% of the content Opera-related)? Let me know and I'll add it to the list above.
Q: What is Opera?
A: Opera is one of the most powerful Web browsers around. A Web browser is the program that allows you to view Web pages. Opera is well known for innovation for PC browsers and bringing the full web to mobile phones and devices.
Q: Is Opera free?
A: Absolutely free.
Q: Why should I download a browser? Doesn't my computer already come with one for free?
A: It's about getting more out of the time you spend on the internet. Opera is designed to be much faster than these browsers and gives you powerful features that the default browser lacks. Default browsers like Internet Explorer are also more likely to be subjected to dangerous software such as viruses and spyware.
Q: Will Opera keep me safe from fraudulent websites and malicious hackers?
A: According to Secunia, a respected firm that tracks security in browsers, Opera has the best reputation and track record when it comes to browser security. Keeping our users safe from security vulnerabilities, fraudulent websites, and malicious hackers is a top priority for Opera. Opera is maintained by hundreds of engineers, developers and security experts who are constantly looking to make the browser even safer.
Q: Doesn't Opera copy all of their features from other browsers?
A: Absolutely not. In fact, many of the features that are popular in other browsers today were invented and pioneered by Opera a long time ago. Opera invented the precursor to tabs (in 1994), Page Zoom (1994), was the first browser to block pop-up ads (2000), first to add a Search field in the browser toolbar (2000), Sessions (1996), deleting private data (2000), Mouse Gestures (2000), User JavaScript (2005), BitTorrent support (2005), Widgets (2006), Speed Dial (2007), and much more.
Q: Does Opera support extensions, such as those found in Firefox?
A: Much of the functionality provided through Firefox extensions is already built directly into Opera, so you don't have to download additional extensions in Opera. In addition, Opera is highly customizable and supports all standard plug-ins.
Q: Can I also use Opera on my mobile phone?
A: Yes. And your Nintendo Wii, Nintendo DS or almost any connected device and mobile phones. Opera Mobile oftens comes preinstalled from the manufacturers, but if it doesn't you can install Opera Mini which runs on nearly all phones.
Q: This all sounds great, so how do I download Opera?
A: -- Opera on your computer
-- Opera Mini on your phone
-- Opera Mobile on your phone
-- or learn more about Opera at www.opera.com
using
How will they “get used to it” if it’s not switched on? Sounds like an invalid argument for defaulting it to off…
Is it just buggy?
using
Being an Opera-user I think it’s wise to have it switched off by default.
using
David Naylor, once we see from users who have enabled the fraud protection that it’s unobtrusive to their browsing habits, we will then consider enabling it by default.
Is it just buggy?
No. Opera would never release a feature to the public in a final build if we new it was buggy.
using
How will they “get used to it” if it’s not switched on?
eh…let me guess…by turn it on and see how the feature works and interacts with their normal use of Opera?.
David Naylor pulling yet another naylorism…
Sounds like an invalid argument for defaulting it to off…
Is it just buggy?
Just because Mozilla decided to turn it off by default because it was buggy, doesn’t mean that everyone else turns features off by default because thery are buggy.
using
With all due respect to the comentor above, let’s not turn this into an Opera vs. Firefox issue.
using
It’s wise to introduce a new feature as an option, and then over time, say when Opera 10 comes out, to make it turned on by default. But until then, it’s very reasonable to leave it switched off. Opera is not about ready to sacrifice quality in order to add a little more protection to its users.
using
Although I understand why they’re turning it off by default (new feature also privacy concerns), it is a bit paradoxical; the idea of the fraud protection is to prevent the average joe from being tricked by a fraud website. The idea of the average joe having to turn on this feature seems ironic: if he’s savvy enough to turn it on, then he probably doesn’t need it in the first place. It’s more for the average joe’s who don’t know how to turn it on who really need this feature. I think if they’re leaving it off by default, then there should be a prompt dialog allowing you to turn it on when you first use Opera, much like with mouse gestures. Something like: “This website could be a fraudulent site, would you like to turn on Fraud protection? [Yes] [No] [] Don’t remind me about this feature”, would be ensure that the average joe would still be able to easily turn the feature on.
Just my 2 cents.
using
Will the future have two modes when it comes to how it operate like IE and Fx? Will be interesting to see how it performs. I’ll cross my fingers for it.
using
I didn’t intend for this to be a Moz vs Opera thread, so everyone just take a deep breath and try to understand what I meant by my first post.
“the idea of the fraud protection is to prevent the average joe from being tricked by a fraud website.”
You hit the nail on the head. This is sort-of what I was trying to get at.
The non-logic of the original argument is here:
“We think they need some time getting used to it, so for now we’ve made it an opt-in feature.”
Those who do turn it on manually will get used to it, but it won’t make any difference to them guys if Opera actually does make it default to “on” in Opera X.
Those who don’t turn it on (Joe, for instance) won’t “get used to it”, and will be just as “surprised” by the feature in version 10.
using
I guess what Daniel Goldman really intended to say was something like “We need some user feedback on the feature first, so for now we’ve made it an opt-in feature.”
Which I think is great.
using
I totally agree with Rhonnysparks.
Remember that Opera needs to gain market share and it’s better to immediately show new features to new users, if these features are good.
using
I haven’t seen any Opera guy (neither Daniel himself) saying that the feature would be turned on by default on future releases; they will just consider it once they get enough feedback from average users (this probably includes privacy concerns).
Those who do turn it on manually will get used to it, but it won’t make any difference to them guys if Opera actually does make it default to “on” in Opera X.
Those who don’t turn it on (Joe, for instance) won’t “get used to it”, and will be just as “surprised” by the feature in version 10.
It’s not like the feature is hidden from the user and you can perform manual checks when needed so chances are most average joes would play with the feature (or at least know about it and how it works) even if he doesn’t turn the automatic check on. This is how an average user can get used to a feature (especially when the feature can arise privacy concerns so the user needs to “trust” it before he can use it on a permanent basis) so why exactly isn’t this logical?.
using
I give up.
using
In one of the latest weekly releases, they announced it would be left off by default in Opera 9.10 Final. I didn’t realise that there’s a “?” in your address bar when it’s turned off (nor that you could manually check). That’s good, except your relying that people will notice the “?” and have the curiosity to click it, which some people won’t. Alot of average joe people won’t care about a new feature, or even acknowledge it exists until they see the benefit of using it. If that feature is turned off by default, then they won’t ever find about it and hence won’t be able to adjust to it. I’m assuming this is what David Naylor was talking about.
using
I’m with David here. How many “average Joe”s dive into Opera advanced preferences. Even though I’m not using it, I would have preferred to be asked the first time I run Opera.
using
I give up.
Very convincing…
Seems to me that you haven’t seen how it really works and that’s why you are so confused (and given the above comment also frustrated).
I’m with David here. How many “average Joe”s dive into Opera advanced preferences. Even though I’m not using it, I would have preferred to be asked the first time I run Opera.
Fraud protection can be controlled from the address field icon (perform a manual check or enable the automatic check), no need to use advanced preferences. It’s pretty obvious that the feature is there and it would be the main selling point of the next release: average joe will know about the feature.
using
It’s not the end of the world. It’s not like it can’t be enabled by default in a later version
using
Hmm, I would have thought a better approach would be to have it switched on by default, but notify the user what is happening the first time (or first few times) it swings into action. Or, on installation of the upgrade, immediately give the user a prompt asking if they want to switch off fraud protection. Give the user a link to more info so they can learn what to look for.
Disabling by default puts the the greatest risk on the most vulnerable users: those who don’t really understand what’s going on.
Just my $0.02…
using
I’m torn on this.
On one hand, I’m glad it’s off by default because of the way it’s implemented: sending a query to a third party for each and every site you visit. That’s a privacy risk, and any features that risk privacy should ideally be opt-in. I’ve turned anti-phishing off in IE7, and I’ve stuck with the local-only check in Firefox 2, and I’d definitely turn it off in Opera 9.1 if Opera sticks with this method.
On the other hand, I think that fraud protection of some sort should be offered by default, for the same reason many people here have brought up: The people who can make the best use of it aren’t going to look for the setting.
Maybe the first time you run Opera 9.1 after upgrade/install, it should ask whether you want it on or not? Kind of like how it used to ask you to choose between single-window and multiple-window modes?
using
If I can say a word or three, I would just say focus on real features, not stuff that slows the browser down or makes it an “IE/Firefox-clone-checkbox-feature” browser. Or compromises user privacy.
Anti-phishing is nothing but Opera trying to match “the other two” browsers. The people that fall for anti-phishing scams are very very few. Not enough to justify it as a feature.
Unless Opera can magically prevent spyware/ adware / malware from being installed on a user’s system, just leave it alone - because that, by far, is the biggest problem nowadays.