Firefox 3.1 pre-release gets private browsing feature

Software

Likely taking some cues from the upcoming Internet Explorer revamp equipped with what we affectionately refer to as porn mode, Mozilla is getting ready to release a heathen-friendly update of its own. The latest pre-release version of Firefox 3.1 comes packing a new menu item labeled “Private Browsing” and when active, Private Browsing will wipe all traces of your online escapades from your computer. History, cache, cookies and all the other little puzzle pieces that can be assembled if someone were to want to see what you’ve been up to on the internet. Enabling stealth browsing is as simple as selecting the option from a menu and sitting back while foxy does its thing. Any current sessions will be ended and Private Browsing will be enabled. When you’re done being sneaky, disabling it is just as simple. So, anyone afraid of having your boss catch you looking for a new gig while at work will soon be able to rely on Firefox to keep your secret safe. Granted, there’s still nothing that will save you if your boss sneaks up behind you…

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12 Comments
  • tigerlily9

    Hehe, nice. Course the first use that comes to my mind is for kids who are not supposed to be using the net. Just say your typing up a paper, turn on private browsing, and you’re set!

  • Dtest54

    yeah this is great, almost as good as it was first put into safari in 2003.

    meh.

  • Allen

    Likely taking some queues from the upcoming Internet Explorer revamp equipped with what we affectionately refer to as porn mode, Mozilla…

    I just happened to find today on the windows version of safari, a private mode as well. So most likely it’s “taking queues from the already implemented Safari browser…”

  • http://www.intehxicate.com Dahk

    Eh it’s probably more due to the Incognito mode in Google Chrome… and it’s really well implemented.

    *ahem* not… that I use it a lot…

  • mr. Hi-Definition

    Yeah, IE 8 Beta and Safari had this a while ago. But still it is good that Firefox has it now.

  • sysadmin

    Hopefully, would be porn seekers understand employers often use web proxies, firewalls, etc., and can easily detect inappropriate activity regardless of which web browser they use.

  • Drew

    Cues.

    A queue is a line you wait in.

  • http://www.bgr.com Zach Epstein

    Fixed, thanks Drew

  • nick

    agreed, why is this an “upcoming” feature coming from IE, when safari (as much as I hate that browser), already has it? BG, give proper credit.

    More on-topic. Distrust, the extension, offers this:
    https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/1559

  • CMDAUser

    While Safari has had this implemented for a while now, I ask you to check your cookies after a private session. You’ll be surprised to find tracks from everywhere you’ve visited even with privacy mode off.

  • Sleepydude

    Sysadmin is right. Don’t think you can get away with anything. Nothing is private at work. The writer must be talking about working at a very small company. Definitely not a decent sized corporation like I work for. Also, what companies (I guess small ones) have Firefox installed? Mine doesn’t. I assume due to the intranet being made to work with IE. That’s probabaly why they still run IE 6 and not IE 7.

  • Yeah

    This article is about Firefox 3.1. Distrust is not compatible with 3.1.

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