Cyber Safety: Private Searches

The last few Cyber Safety articles on this blog refer to the tracking that occurs as you use the internet on your computer. Browser have settings that allow you to search without cookies (temporary files) being saved by websites and search engines. Here are a few ways to search in private:

Mozilla Firefox: Private Browsing
At the top of your internet window, click on the word "Firefox" and select "Start Private Browsing."
Private browsing will not save: search words, page history, passwords, download listings, and cookies.

Internet Explorer:  InPrivate Browsing
On the top bar of the browser window look for the word "Safety" or look for a Gear Icon and choose "Safety."
Under Safety, click "InPrivate Browsing" and a new browser window will open.
InPrivate browsing will not save:  web history, cookies, passwords, address bar autocomplete, and temporary files.

Google Chrome:  Incognito
Click the wrench tool on the upper right of the Chrome window and choose "New Incognito Window."
Incognito will not save:  web history, cookies, and download history.  It will save newly created bookmarks.

Safari:  Private Browsing
This feature is available in Safari 3.  Click "Safari" and "Private Browsing."
Private Browsing will not save: web history, download list, autofill, search terms, and cookies.

Use this information wisely.  According to Mozilla:
Warning: Private Browsing doesn't make you anonymous on the Internet. Your Internet service provider, employer, or the sites themselves can still track what pages you visit. Private Browsing also doesn't protect you from keyloggers or spyware that may be installed on your computer. 

Comments