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Does Firefox support private Web browsing?

My parents are always checking up on what Web sites I visit and it's getting really old. Is there some way to have Firefox hide where I go so they can't keep tab on me?


Dave's Answer:

First off, yeah, I'm a parent, so let me say that if you're going places that your parents prefer you didn't, then maybe you should respect their wishes or work with them to create the trust that will let them allow you to visit the site or sites without any duplicitousness?

No? You'd rather just hide your tracks? Well, I can reluctantly show you one very cool Firefox feature that'll let you do exactly what you seek, use it to surf the Web without leaving any crumbs or clues...

Launch Firefox and go to Preferences --> Privacy. You'll see this:

Firefox Preferences: Privacy

Look closely near the bottom and you'll see "Always clear my private data when I close Firefox". That's what you want to set, so check that, then click on "Settings..." immediately adjacent. Now you'll see that you can specify which data should be wiped:

Firefox Preferences: Privacy: Private Data Settings

Check all of these and then each time you quit Firefox you'll leave no trace of cookies, password settings, browser history, download history, saved forms, etc etc etc. No trail.

That's what you want, right? Good luck.



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Comments

Tune in next week for... How do I track my kid's Internet usage after Firefox wipes the tracking data? ;)

Posted by: Carol at November 14, 2007 2:57 PM

Right on, Carol -- my question exactly!

(I suppose you can pretend you are Homeland Security and simply email Verizon/ATT -- you'll get all the info you ever wanted -- and plenny more -- on your child's personal behaviors...)

Posted by: Jake at November 15, 2007 3:15 PM

You'd have to do really good pretending. The ISP NOCs require a warrant before releasing private information about a user.

Posted by: Winston at November 19, 2007 4:01 PM

I have a lot to say, but ...
Starbucks coffee cup I have a lot to say, and questions of my own for that matter, but most of all I'd like to say thank you for all your efforts on this Web site by buying you a chai!

I do have a comment, now that you mention it!









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