Opera Browser Users Urged to Reset Passwords After Sync Server is Hacked

[vjl323]

In my experiences Opera is superior to Chrome. (that's Opera and Chrome of today... historically that had not always been the case)

Give Vivaldi a try: https://vivaldi.com/story/ It was created by the Opera folks, after Opera started becoming less than what it used to be last year. As Opera is being sold to a Chinese company, many of the original developers are focusing on Vivaldi and it really is what Opera has been since the early days.

For those curious, Opera was the first browser to feature tabs too. And at one point had a very good e.mail client built in.

 

[sracer]

Give Vivaldi a try: https://vivaldi.com/story/ It was created by the Opera folks, after Opera started becoming less than what it used to be last year. As Opera is being sold to a Chinese company, many of the original developers are focusing on Vivaldi and it really is what Opera has been since the early days.

For those curious, Opera was the first browser to feature tabs too. And at one point had a very good e.mail client built in.

Thanks for the link. Unfortunately the lack of an iOS version makes it a non-starter for me.

 

[myhaksown]

They just sold the browser to a chinese consortium and I stop using since I learned about it. I stopped jailbreaking my phone when chinese started taking over. And I don't trust Lenovo computers either. Call me paranoid but it is what it is.

In your defense the first Chinese jailbreak had a questionable app install with the jailbreak that you couldn't get rid of (don't remember the name). As for Lenovo, they've been proven to preinstall malware multiple times in their software. You're not paranoid, just aware.

 

[ErikGrim]

There's a typo in this article. It should actually say 1.7 users.

 

[CarlJ]

Just Stop Using Opera. Which world are these people living in, a reasonable alternate browser is firefox or chrome without doubt. Opera just sucks.

I came here looking for the comment that said something about, "both Opera users". And I'd add Safari to the list of reasonable browsers, but yeah, that. Just use 1Password with any of them.

 

[SteveW928]

Although, this is exactly why I hate password managers things. One single point of failure.

No, you just need the right kind of password manager. Don't use cloud-based, OS, or ones built into products. Pick one that's local where you control the data file, like Selznick's PasswordWallet, or maybe 1Password. (1Password's recent cloud move has me a bit nervous though.)

Encryption can make data far more secure but it's never going to be 100% safe.

Well, true, as far as it goes. But if done right, no one is currently going to be able to break it, and may not be able to in the future. When these things get broken, it's usually because of some flaw, not that they actually break the encryption.

You're also assuming a perfect world where everyone uses 40+ character passwords with special characters and all the other fun. The real world doesn't work like that.

And, those are the folks who get hacked most of the time.

If you want to be secure, you do use strong passwords. And a good system uses the local master password to generate a huge hash that actually encrypts the file. So, if the file isn't being unlocked by that particular app, on that particular device, they'll be dealing with way more than 40 characters. They could use the password, 'password' and unless the thief has access to THAT device, it won't matter for the data file.

And anyone with an ounce of common IT sense these days is running a password manager and uses a unique, strong password for every service. That largely makes these kinds of announcements of little concern (unless I see it's my bank that has been hacked).

Thanks for the link. Unfortunately the lack of an iOS version makes it a non-starter for me.

There's only one browser on iOS anyway... just pick the UI variant you prefer.

 

[pankajdoharey]

Yes, one of the reasons I have no plan to go back is that they have now been purchased by a Chinese consortium,....
Opera Sync and being Chinese owned? How do I know where my sensitive data really ends up? I really don't want it to somehow, one day end up in a country where the government is known to have deep ties into their cybersecurity business. Maybe it's stupid prejudices speaking here but they'd have to tear down the "Chinese Internet Firewall" at the very least before I'd start trusting them, and we all know that won't happen anytime soon.

So, now I mostly use Vivaldi. It's what the Opera Reboot should have been anyway.

I agree Chinese firms have been really malicious your paranoia is reasonable.

 

[sracer]

There's only one browser on iOS anyway... just pick the UI variant you prefer.

I know what you are referring to but that's not exactly true, besides those variants don't sync bookmarks and histories with browsers on other platforms. I need cross-platform support that consists of OSX, iOS, and Windows (at the every least) and Android (preferably).

 

[OldSchoolMacGuy]

And, those are the folks who get hacked most of the time.

If you want to be secure, you do use strong passwords. And a good system uses the local master password to generate a huge hash that actually encrypts the file. So, if the file isn't being unlocked by that particular app, on that particular device, they'll be dealing with way more than 40 characters. They could use the password, 'password' and unless the thief has access to THAT device, it won't matter for the data file.

And anyone with an ounce of common IT sense these days is running a password manager and uses a unique, strong password for every service. That largely makes these kinds of announcements of little concern (unless I see it's my bank that has been hacked).

And in the context of this hack, that's exactly why they're encouraging people to change their passwords. Because 99% of people don't have secure passwords protecting their data.

You greatly underestimate the technical abilities of the general public. Even the majority of IT professionals use fairly weak passwords.

Just look at the most common passwords today. They aren't getting any better. IT folks have gotten SLIGHTLY better but the vast majority of users still use horridly insecure passwords and on top of that they reuse the same ones across all sites.

This conversation started because someone believed that if this stolen data was encrypted then there is nothing to worry about as they believe all encrypted data can only be gotten at by the proper owner. That's simply untrue. We access encrypted user data during investigations almost daily. Your data is nowhere near as safe as you'd like to tell yourself but if it makes you feel better, keep telling yourself that ever measure has been taken to make sure no one can access your data.

 

[loby]

At least Opera is better browser in general, maybe better than Chrome
[doublepost=1472487642][/doublepost]
Bro, you are not the only one. I don't trust Chinese either

The problem is that the Chinese ethics is different concerning consumers and practically everything else the west believes as far as data and technology privacy concerns. No privacy in Communism and the world forgets this or the younger generation does not know or care .

The Chinese government will not regulate activities to safeguard the users, nor will not keep it private. No class lawsuits will occur, for the government has a hand in the data collecting, spying etc.

Too bad, will say, 'goodbye' to Opera. Like the option to block all ads.

 

[shannonn]

its too bad because I really liked using Opera, but I also stopped once I found out about the data breach. I think that Opera did do the righ thing though, its good to inform users when something like this happens because we do have a right to know... its just too bad things like these happen and its good to have a safe server.