Navigation

Primary Navigation

Secondary Navigation

Editor's Corner

Back to Editor's Corner home

Search

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?

Comments61 - 70 of 247

Well paedofiles should be shot anyway, then nobody would give a sh!t about this

From jamesreyn1 on Tue Aug 26 02:45PM
Report abuse
There is no such thing as privacy any more,everything you do leaves a trace footprint.As for regulating childrens viewing,that is up to the account holder and the settings.These gimmicks are very welcome by some and castigated by others,nothing changes,just the time of day.

From jedyorricks on Tue Aug 26 02:47PM
Report abuse
doesnt already internet explorer have the choice not to keep the history? it does

From t.vasileiadis on Tue Aug 26 02:50PM
Report abuse
living in England,I'm just wondering how the government is going to put a tax on it...

From soongone01 on Tue Aug 26 02:53PM
Report abuse
I think this is overdue, we pay for our internet so it's about time we have a little more control over it

From adam.bell1 on Tue Aug 26 03:00PM
Report abuse
This is not to stop police or anyone searching machines it just stops the next person using the machine from tracing it at the click of a button, if it was that was that easy to stop police tracing your steps i think terrorists and paedophiles would just delete there history.

From p07930417745 on Tue Aug 26 03:18PM
Report abuse
The thing that bothers me most out of this feature is not the fact that paedophiles might find it easier to access child porn..they won't. Like many of you said, their ISP's will keep logging their history all the same. But what really bothers me is the fact that so many husbands/partners will find it tons easier to watch porn, something that works against the principle of a healthy relationship. In other words, this will probably lead to more breakups, more secrecy, less respect.. I know some of you will tell me that ideally the husband doesn't look for porn out of respect towards his wife, but let's be honest, with some people the temptation is just too great.

From starlight_404 on Tue Aug 26 03:19PM
Report abuse
This is stupid - you should stand by what you browse - if you're ashamed of being found out, don't go there! Microsoft need their brains testing - do they have to do everything Apple do?!!

From llw2526 on Tue Aug 26 03:26PM
Report abuse
This is a good idea because we need privacy and why is it even there in the first place? There should be a function, though, that allows you to turn it on or off.

From originalroflraptor on Tue Aug 26 03:26PM
Report abuse
This wouldn't stop logging of internet usage. This just stops the history on the PC. The ISP logs transactions, this is where the Police look, not on the PC itself. It's a good idea to stop other "users" looking where you have been visiting, but it doesn't let you surf annonymously, far from it.

From craigrogersuk on Tue Aug 26 03:27PM
Report abuse