Opera and google???

[operaskriger]

operaskriger last edited by

It is wierd somehow that a individual product as opera is using google.
why not ixquick or startpage (that use google in a private manner)

I installed Opera - but uninstalled it imidiately when i found out that i could not enable startpage and furtermore i was unable to avoid google.

I would like to se opera make an effort in privacy - firstmovers will get fame

[rafaeljvieira]

rafaeljvieira last edited by

Hello operaskriger,

to avoid third-party browser hijacking, Opera Software has limited the default search engines to 5. This way, malware and adware won't be able to change the browser's default search engine to a malicious site. As far as I know, this is a temporary solution until Opera Software finds a way to avoid browser hijacking.

Meanwhile,

You can add the Opera "Disconnect Search" extension to Opera 20. Set the Disconnect Search to use DuckDuckGo in its option and set it to use the main Opera Adress Bar, and Duckduckgo will essentially operate as your default search vehicle via the extension. If you do a google/yahoo/bing, etc. search to find information about the Disconnect Search extension, you will see that all of the searches that operate through the extension, including google, bing, yahoo, duckduckgo, etc. conceal your search so that it is very private.
Alternatively, you can go to the DuckDuckGo search website, and right click the search bar there, and add DuckDuckGo to Opera. Pay attention there to the inital(s) associated with the engine, or right click on the Opera Address Bar after you have added DDG un order to find the i initial(s). I think it's a "d", unless you set it otherwise. This same approach works with any other search engine (that is not one of the 5 Opera defaults) that you want to do a search from the main Opera address bar.
if you don't want to use the Disconnect Search Extension, as long as you added to Opera DDG as a search engine, you can enter your search in the main Opera address bar, but have to remember to type "d" [space] and then your search query. Or whatever other initial (s) you might have selected. If you forget to type the d (or the other initial(s) you might have set, the default Opera search engine will take over.
Finally, you can even add a separate DuckDuckGo search bar as an extension if you wish. For your searces -- one click-- on the DDG icon on the toolbar, and the search bar comes, so it shouldn't take up space.

The text above applies, simply change DuckDuckGo to Start Page.

You can avoid Google -- simply remove it as default search engine (choose Bing or any other, for example). Then, if you want to remove Google's search bar from Speed Dial, please follow these instructions:

1. Go to opera:settings
2. Enter the Konami code (↑ ↑ ↓ ↓ ← → ← → B A): this will make power user settings available
3. Check the option "Hide Search Box in Speed Dial"
4. Profit

[operaskriger]

operaskriger last edited by

Hi rafaeljvieira

Thanx for the advice about hiding searchbar - I will give it a try - that Konami code really helps
I look forward to skip google, yahoo and bing - and only use startpage, ixquick and duckduskgo.

Somehow, though, it would be pleasant if google was not that integrated in Opera (i.e. the seachbar in speeddial should be open for any engine the user prefered)

But thanks for your advices - I'll hang on and give it a try

[leocg]

leocg Moderator Volunteer last edited by

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