Opera Software released Opera 84 on the stable channel on February 16, 2022. The new version of the Chromium-based web browser introduces the new Paste Protection feature.
Opera updates automatically by default, but this does not happen at the time Opera Software releases a new version. Users can manually check for updates by selecting Menu > Update and recovery, or by loading opera://updates in the browser’s address bar.
Opera displays the installed version and runs a search for updates to install any updates it finds. A download of the latest version of the browser is also provided on the official opera website.
Paste Protection
Opera Software highlights Paste Protection as the main feature of the new Opera browser. I reviewed Paste Protection in December 2021 when it was introduced in Opera 84 Developer, a development version of the browser.
Paste Protection aims to protect sensitive Clipboard content by informing users about possible tampering. The browser informs users who copy data, such as bank account numbers or crypto wallet identifiers, if the content is tampered with. Malware can target these specifically so that transactions are hijacked if the user does not pay attention to the destination addresses. Paste Protection warns users only to make them aware of possible tampering. However, hitting is not avoided.
Opera Software’s blog post does not reveal any additional information about the release, but does link to the full changelog.
Naturally, Chromium, the base that Opera shares with browsers like Chrome, Vivaldi, Edge or Brave, has been updated to a new version. Opera supports the new instant design popups in Windows 11 and it seems there are also some changes from the Widevine DRM system at launch.
Other than that, there isn’t much that sticks out. The changelog lists bug fixes including crash fixes and memory leaks in the new version.
Now you: Have you upgraded to the new Opera? What is your impression so far?
advertising