I have used Firefox web browser for quite a while and believed it was the most secure browser available.
I hardened the browser with NoScript and HTTPS Everywhere add-ons.

However recently I've installed Opera web browser.
Now I'm browsing on a free vpn with uBlock Origin, Privacy Badger and Disconnect browser extensions.
Due to the vpn - the browsing experience is smoother and uncomplicated.

Is Opera not the most secure way of browsing the net?

Well, the most secure I know about is the TOR browser running on a live-cd version of a TOR distribution. When properly set up, your traffic is obfuscated and appearing to not only not come from you IP address, but may not appear to be arriving consistently from ANY single IP address!

TOR may be overkill for most users. IT is a better answer for when security is of greater importance and failure may be fatal.

For MOST users it is enough to run a less secure browser in the most secure mode to which it may be set, and then only allow secure operations. (do not browse to insecure domains.)

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Eh, don't use TOR that automatically flags you as a terrorist!

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Pure nonsense! Stop spreading FUD about TOR. Next people will say stop using Linux because only XYZ use Linux and they are bad people.
Ref: https://www.linuxjournal.com/content...a-surveillance

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Well a lot of TOR exit nodes are actually set up by intelligence agencies. Infact i could set up an exit node and sniff the traffic. Of course if you only browse ssl encrypted sites you might not be exposed. But then why take the risk anyway. If you not a whistle-blower or aren't trying to buy drugs i don't recommend tor for general browsing. Afaik it is pretty easy to tell that you using tor

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"Free" always means there's a catch, be it paying by "sharing" information, bandwidth caps or limited functionality. "Free" also says nothing about a VPN providers' security or quality, no matter what opinions people post. Nothing against Opera (or Vivaldi) but while based on Google Open Source Chromium it isn't Open Source Software, and that makes it hard to assess anything.

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List those nodes here please? (If you can't then you don't know and ergo shouldn't say such things.)

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OMG, better unplug that computer now! Because "they" also work on your kernel, and other levels of your OS, especially seeing that you might be running CentOS. Run for the hills man.

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I think Chromium is just fine with recommended settings and good extensions. You can even use it inside AppArmor if you're really concerned about the security of your web browser itself. If the traffic is your concern instead, Tor might be a better idea.

just fyi, chromium still contacts google servers.
to get into it, have a look at https://github.com/Eloston/ungoogled-chromium

I think 'properly set up' is a key point here.
The cleanest setup is Tails OS on a usb. And then boot from usb.

I used TOR for 6 months and found myself under police surveillance.
Police cars and taxis start following you and unmarked cars park outside your house. The vehicles TELL you of their presence - surveillance costs money.

I haven't used TOR since.
It is best to use TOR as little as possible, IMO.
A separate browser should be used for ordinary browsing.
TOR shouldn't be used for anonymity - it gets you noticed when you use it.
A trusted VPN is a safer method for gaining anonymity.

Yep, I think a paid vpn will offer the most reliable anonymity.
Of course you'll also need to choose the right vpn supplier.
Choosing a vpn operating from a country with known mass surveillance and compromised privacy laws may not be a good idea.

Whilst using TOR I found that Yandex search engine could always identify me.
They told me my citizenship and financial status.
They could still identify me if I changed OS.
And these guys were kind enough to let me know.
You think Prism will let you know anything?

With Quant search engine the search results indicate it knows my geolocation even if the IP is from a different country.
I haven't tried this with Tails OS though.
Also maybe others may have a different experience.

Google search engine doesn't work with TOR. So everyone will be using DDG.
This makes you wonder if DDG is the first place to look to find TOR-users?

Is no-one using Opera?
It's interesting how all linux-users predictably gravitate towards Firefox.
Shouldn't there be forks of FF?