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New Web Browser Leaves No Footprints

eastbayted writes "InfoWorld reports a new web browser designed to protect users privacy is available for download. Called Browzar, it 'automatically deletes Internet caches, histories, cookies and auto-complete forms.' It also boasts a search engine, which the company will use to generate income. The 264KB application is the brainchild of Ajaz Ahmen, known for creating the U.K.'s first ISP Freeserve. The forthcoming version is for Windows only, but Mac and Linux versions will be available eventually."

5 of 388 comments (clear)

  1. Re:It sounded good until... by legoburner · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Freeserve is a name I have not heard since the .com boom and hoped I would not hear again.
    That is great that privacy is protected provided you dont mind:
    server logs
    ISP logs
    upstream proxy logs/cache
    dns cache
    any identifiable information you give out to websites

    Nice idea for the 'hide-it-from-your-wife' crowd, but other than that not too much use for this, and not really anything that is not provided by extensions for existing browsers already.

  2. protect my privacy by gEvil+(beta) · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Protect my privacy, but sell my search results?

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    This guy's the limit!
  3. Re:It sounded good until... by 1u3hr · · Score: 4, Insightful
    Depending on how well it works, we're talking about a browser 10% the size of even links.

    Since it requires IE 5.5 or above, I expect it uses IE for most functions. Not bad in itself, but it will probably be vulnerable to all the exploits IE is, and users being unaware of that, especially visiting the seamier websites infested with drive-by installers, may be seriously screwed. Nevertheless, if you have to use a PC temporarily and only IE is installed, it would be better than just trying to clean up IE.

  4. Been checking up ..... by ajs318 · · Score: 5, Insightful

    ..... and I can't find a link to download the source code.

    So-called "security" software without source code is worse than useless -- and would be outlawed if we had a sensible Minister for Information Technology. The information it's claiming to be hiding could be valuable, so there's a clear motive to lie about what it's doing -- and hiding the source code provides an obvious means. I, for one, wouldn't give it the opportunity.

    I have set Firefox to ask me every time about cookies. As soon as I see a "__utma" or a "h2" cookie, I know at once the owners of that site have absolutely no concern for my privacy, and simply block all cookies from that site. Otherwise I usually accept cookies for the session only.

    I also keep my day-to-day login password as secret as any of my root passwords, and always set up a brand new user account if anyone ever wants to use one of my computers for anything.

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    Je fume. Tu fumes. Nous fûmes!
  5. Re:Best idea I've heard all decade by BSonline · · Score: 5, Insightful

    See, despite the importance of porn, there are a couple of things to watch out for. That "huge download" will most likely still be on the laptop. And if you are using your corporation's network, the server you are connecting to will still have a record. But, hey, if you still feel safe...

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    PS: That is what part of the alphabet would look like if the letters "Q" and "R" were removed.