Opera Software released Opera 9.61 today, which addresses a few security and stability issues. This release is a recommended security update for all those running the previous stable releases.
See the changelog for more information.
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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
Just out of interest, why only link to the windows changelog?
using
Thanks for the head-up. You beat the ‘Updates are Available’ feature in Opera.
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Jon: There are no platform spesific fixes in this release
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Olli: Yes there are. Only Windows specific!
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This patch works perfectly on Windows XP SP2.
Thank you Opera.
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Ex Peace_Destroyer over here
I already published this in the chilean site CHW: http://www.chw.net/foro/corresponsales-freelance-f95/199699-aparecio-opera-9-61-a.html
Opera for the life!!
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Toman: minor details :-p
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I’ve installed the new Opera, but the new install is really bugging me because it keeps popping up when I open a website from an external source. So this is what happens, I’m reading some blogs in Feeddemon, and when I click on a link inside there it opens in Opera. It used to be that Opera would open the page and stay in the background, but now it pops up over Feeddemon, a real pain if I’m planning to click a bunch of links before deciding to check them out. I’m running Vista. Opera hasn’t ever done this before, unless it was minimized, but now it does it all the time. Can I fix it or am I stuck forever in Opera 9.60, never able to update again?
using
I have installed it, but no internetaccess, so I unstalled it and installed 9.60 again. There was internet again!! So no updatets for me, nomore. This one, I dont have Youtubes and movies, so therefore I have to use explorer again. Please give me one off the old versions that worked all a long!!
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installed it, liked it and Loved it
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http://blogs.zdnet.com/security/?p=2058
“On the same day Opera shipped a browser update with patches for three separate security vulnerabilities, hackers are openly discussion a new zero-day flaw that exposes Windows users to remote code execution attacks.
With Opera 9.61, the Norwegian browser maker corrects an issue where History Search could be used to reveal browser history (rated extremely severe); a Fast Forward bug that allows cross-site scripting (highly severe); and an information disclosure flaw in news feeds (also highly severe).
But even as Opera users were scrambling to apply the latest patches, a public discussion on the Full Disclosure mailing list exposed a zero-day vulnerability that could lead to cross-site scripting and even remote code execution attacks.
The discussion began with this Roberto Suggi advisory on the History Search bug fixed in Opera 9.61 but quickly expanded to raise the possibility of code execution attacks.
Within hours, researcher Aviv Raff discovered a way to execute code from remote and released a harmless proof-of-concept exploit that launches the Windows calculator.
I can confirm that a separate exploit exists that launches harmful code remotely against fully patched versions of the Opera browser.
Until Opera can fix this new issue, users are strongly urged to consider a different browser or avoid clicking on links on untrusted Web pages.”
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yeah, I hope that 9.62 will come out in the next couple of days. that kind of exploits belongs to the more serious variety… so it doesn’t feel too good (i.e. safe) surfing the web with opera at the moment…
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Has Opera commented anything about that vulnerability?
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From Opera Desktop Team blog
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@Google Chrome
What about the critical vulnerabilities found in Chrome just after it was released? Or Firefox 3.0.2? LOL. Nice trolling, though.
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I am still not getting speed. Actually i use mobile gprs to surf on pc. So, many time website never opens or takes too long time in opera. Chrome is faster & safari 4 developer version is fastest but have many bugs. Will u suggest some settings on ma pc like network settings to increase speed in opera !
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I have installed 9.61, and I am having troubles with the sound when opening flash files… any one having the same issue?