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Microsoft to support anonymous browsing

Tue Aug 26 10:47AM

Microsoft officials have confirmed that the company is to introduce a way for users to surf the Web anonymously.

As part of the upcoming Internet Explorer 8 release, Microsoft is incorporating 'inPrivate' - a mode that will not record visits to the user's history and will not allow sites to place cookies on the user's system. Apple currently offers a similar service with its Safari browser.

Many industry pundits haven't wasted any time in pointing out one of the most obvious uses of the feature, nicknaming it 'porn mode,' highlighting the ability to view adult sites without leaving a trail for employers or family members to follow.

There have also been questions raised over the helpfulness of the latest release, which could make it harder for police to track Internet users that are viewing harmful or illegal websites.

On a recent posting to the official IE blog though, Microsoft officials put forward some more innocent uses of the new release:

"Have you ever wanted to take your web browsing 'off the record'? Perhaps you're using someone else's computer and you don't want them to know which sites you visited. Maybe you need to buy a gift for a loved one without ruining the surprise. Maybe you're at an Internet kiosk and don't want the next person using it to know at which website you bank."

Obviously the new Internet Explorer will have pros and cons but my question to you is: Should the Internet be completely private or should our movements be traceable?

Comments51 - 60 of 247

Wooooo!

From velocity539 on Tue Aug 26 02:25PM
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There is nothing sinister about privacy.
John Leaver.

From jbleaver1 on Tue Aug 26 02:27PM
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Can everyone who obviously doesn't understand what they are talking about please shut their breeze holes. This WILL NOT make it easier for people to view child porn and such and evade capture.
Your ISP as well as MANY OTHER SERVERS along route to website x (which the police can check logs of) will always have records of what sites someone has visited, said someone being identified by their IP address and their MAC address. This paltry technology which will be built into IE8 (which basically just empties your temporary internet folder and cookies, ha "anonymous browsing", please!) does nothing to attempt to change your IP or MAC addresses.
When police arrive at a suspects address and check the machine, if they find illegal material in the temporary internet files etc that will make a conviction easier, granted. But a user who would not cover their tracks so easily would probably have the illegal material else where on the pc anyway, which this will not get rid of.
So what's the point in this, yes it's a "porn mode" as they have called it, so wives will not find out what porn their husbands have been browsing and vice versa.

From patmlkmail on Tue Aug 26 02:29PM
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I don't understand what the problem is here - using the internet is the equivalent to walking down the street. If you want privacy don't use the web. It's a no brainer

From bigalbaird on Tue Aug 26 02:33PM
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How is this anonymous browsing? Don't be ridiculous. Get Tor or Freenet.

From sandiskboy on Tue Aug 26 02:34PM
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this should not be allowed, it should also be taken off the the Apple (Safari) site too!!!
i agree with others, it is an opening for child porn and spouses to be unfaithfull too!

From pricesara43 on Tue Aug 26 02:36PM
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the police have been very successful in tracing paedophiles & helping innocent children to escape from their control. I would certainly give up my right to anonymity whilst I am browsing the web to allow the police to continue this very important work.

From maireadcarey on Tue Aug 26 02:37PM
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noonan@ymail.com
Oh my god, I almost wet myself !!!

From patmlkmail on Tue Aug 26 02:37PM
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If you seriously think Microsoft is going to let you do ANYTHING anonymously, then I have a bridge you might like to buy! This is just a clever tactic to lull people into a false sense of security/anonymity, making it easier for some people to fall into Honey Traps. While the vast majority of us find the idea of people visiting paedophile sites disgusting, decent people shouldn't be lied to like this, and fooled into thinking that they have genuine privacy and freedom. NOTHING is secret anymore - nothing!

From brendacoulp on Tue Aug 26 02:43PM
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Basically, if you've nothing to hide then who cares whats recorded, those against this tend to be perves, criminals or terrorists!! so why do we need to hide what we do!

From m_norton_2000 on Tue Aug 26 02:44PM
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