Microsoft Edge's Private Browsing Mode Isn't Actually Private (betanews.com)

JustAnotherOldGuy writes: The forensic examination of most web browsers has proven that they don't have a provision for storing the details of privately browsed web sessions. However, in the case of Microsoft Edge, the private browsing isn't as private as it seems. Previous investigations of the browser have resulted in revealing that websites visited in private mode are also stored in the browser's WebCache file. The Container_n table stores web history, and a field named 'Flag' with a value of '8' shows that website was visited in private mode. An investigator can easily spot the difference and use this evidence against a person. The not-so-private browsing featured by Edge makes its very purpose seem to fail, and you can't help but ask how such a fundamental aspect of private browsing could be so fantastically borked. It beggars belief.

Comments

Be aware

[Travis Mansbridge]

It's worth noting that other browsers' "private browsing" modes only hide the details of the session from the local machine. Using "incognito mode" in Google Chrome is not encryption and does not shield your privacy in any way from others on your network, your ISP, the NSA or Google themselves.

Re:Be aware

[Blaskowicz]

That's a weird strawman, nobody said anything about encryption or interception.

There is a problem with Firefox's new private browsing window. It says protection against tracking is enabled. That's true as it does something like Privacy Badger does (although there's little indication of what is done) but you still leave your IP and browser fingerprint (afaik) everywhere and if you go on facebook or logged in google etc. you're of course tracked about everything you do since that is exactly what they are for.

People are at large non technical or not technical enough and are easily deluded into believing private mode browsing is safer. Like some tell me that your position isn't tracked when you use a dumb phone, which is entirely false.

impossibru!

[Gravis Zero]

you're telling me that a corporation that is notorious for their flawed software has made a flawed browser?! impossibru!