Well, it isn’t really called porn mode, it’s called “private browsing mode”, but we all know what it will get the most use doing. FireFox is late in the game on this feature. Safari, Chrome and Internet Explorer have has private browsing for quite some time.

What private browsing mode does is keeps web site from leaving tracks on your computer. You can still be tracked online – it doesn’t mask your online foot steps like Tor does – but your desktop or laptop won’t store information about where you go.

How private browsing mode (or porn mode as many think of it) does this is by rejecting some of the standard identification tools used by web designers. The private browsing mode in FireFox will just say no to cookies, not keep a browser history, stop auto-filling forms and stop caching pages.

This would drive me insane, since I’m constantly going back to see where I’ve been and what the heck I was just looking at online. I don’t use the auto-fill for security purposes, but I know people who rely on it due to the repetitive nature of their jobs. Even so, there will be plenty of husbands, wives and significant others learning about this feature, I think.

The only use I can see for this for me personally is on a public terminal, such as a library or school. Of course, that would require the library or school being able to install it and with the hideous Patriot Act and how it has affected libraries here, and things like the PTA affecting schools, I’m not sure they can enable private mode due to the nanny tendencies we’ve been facing lately form higher ups and organizations.

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Entry was posted on Monday, September 15th, 2008 at 11:52 am under Internet, Navigation, Security.

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