Proxy servers are poor alternatives to dedicated VPNs (like NordVPN), since they often have slower speeds, less secure encryption, and lacklustre unblocking capabilities. However, when something doesn’t work as expected, it’s often difficult to tell if the problem lies with the VPN you’re using or some other, less obvious cause.ĭespite claiming to be a VPN, what Opera actually offers is a free proxy its standalone VPN service was discontinued in early 2018. They not only enhance your online security, they also allow you to bypass regional restrictions and use previously inaccessible services abroad.
VPNs work by encrypting your traffic and routing it through an intermediary server. These days, more and more platforms are using geo-blocking to prevent people from outside of a specific country from accessing the service.