I have been testing the Vivaldi browser for over 3 months now. Previously I had been using Opera as my main browser but there were too many startup and update problems. Also Opera doesn’t defend against ads and trackers out of the gate. I also tested the DuckDuckGo browser as a replacement. Installing and configuring DuckDuckGo is too complicated for most folks.

Vivialdi easy install

First go to vivaldi.com and click the download button. Double click the download. On the first screen just go with the defaults.

Next screen you make two choices. First, click close on the extensions warning. You can review and fix that after installation though I recommend you do not enable the Adobe PDF spy extension.

Second, most important, choose to block ads and trackers. Why blocks ads? Not just because they are annoying, block ads because Google allows so many malicious ads that can infect your computer. Block trackers for privacy.

Next choose whether to important your favorites from Chrome or Edge. Choose the browser look you want. Next how you want your tabs to appear.

At this point you will be asked if you want to use the built-in email software or just use the web. I haven’t tested the email software. Suggest you just take the default of use the web.

Next you chose the type of blocking you want in the browser. I recommend you block trackers (for privacy) and ads. Google allows too many malicious ads in their ecosystem. Protect yourself by blocking the ads.

You’re ready to browse. Vivaldi provides an intro video for you.

Change the search settings

You’re almost ready to browse. Click on the little arrow beside the V in the upper left hand corner and click Settings.

In Settings, click on Search on the left hand menu. Then click on the down arrow beside search engine and switch to DuckDuckGo.

I may not love their browser but the DuckDuckGo search engine provides better results than Google Search. For example, I was helping a client with a Lenovo warranty issue recently and searched for Lenovo Canada using Google Search. Google Search only provided the US options. DuckDuckGo provided Lenovo Canada web site which we needed for the warranty.

Total setup takes about two minutes (including search settings).

Privacy Statistics

After you browse for a few weeks, check out the Privacy statistics. On the start page, click the little i underneath the search bar. You will get a popup showing which web sites have been tracking you and how many ads Vivaldi has blocked.

Browse better for all 4 seasons

I just love Vivaldi. Easy to install, easy to set up ad and tracker blocks. Vivaldi: browse better for all 4 seasons.