private browsing
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Chrome now prevents sites from checking for private browsing mode
As promised, Google is ready to make websites respect Incognito mode whether they like it or not. The company has released Chrome 76 for Linux, Mac and Windows, closing a loophole that let sites detect private browsing by looking for the presence of a key framework. If you're tired of sites insisting that you either sign in or use the standard mode, relief is in sight.
Chrome update will stop sites from checking for Incognito Mode
Chrome's Incognito Mode hasn't been working as well as promised lately -- some sites now check for private browsing and insist that you sign in before you can read an article. Google sees that as a flaw, though, and intends to set things right. The company will use the July 30th release of Chrome 76 to close a "loophole" where sites could check for Chrome's FileSystem framework (disabled in Incognito Mode) and use its absence to detect a private session. Google will also change any other methods of detecting Incognito going forward.
Trigger private browsing in Safari for specific sites
Tony over at Macolyte has posted a good tip on how to enable private browsing in Safari on a particular site. Why would you want this? It's good for when you're viewing financial sites and other sensitive personal data where you don't want to leave a tracking history, for instance. Tony created an AppleScript that will open a new tab for a particular website and set it to Private Browsing mode. That same script can close the tab as well. Be warned though, it sets all open tabs to Private Browsing mode when this happens. (We posted a link to a similar script years ago, but that one also set up a temporary disk image to redirect Safari downloads, in case you inadvertently downloaded something sensitive.) Click through to get Tony's AppleScript. If you've just upgraded to OS X Mountain Lion, check out our look at the new Safari to get some other tips and also find out how to get your RSS button back.
Firefox 5 for Android adds CSS animation, support for Do Not Track browsing
The Firefox team is moving as quick as a...well, you get the idea. Nearly two months after releasing its latest browser to the masses, the folks at Mozilla have unleashed Firefox 5 for Android as a beta for willing souls who happen upon it in the Market. The latest rendition will hook you up with support for CSS animations, improved canvas and JavaScript performance, and lower memory usage. You're also going to find Do Not Track included for the first time, which is a privacy setting that prevents other sites from following you around. Otherwise, for a major release, there isn't a ton of meat -- then again, Mozilla's switched things up a bit by popping out updates on a more frequent basis, making few changes to each one, so anyone feeling a bit underwhelmed should know that the team's already hard at work on Firefox 6. Head down to the source links to download the beta and learn what's new.
Tor to fork Firefox for simplified anonymous browsing, doesn't think you're paranoid
Soon political dissidents, whistle blowers, and those trying to cheat MLB.TV's blackout restrictions will have an easier way to protect their privacy thanks to a dedicated Tor Browser. For those of you unfamiliar with it, Tor is a tool for anonymizing web browsing and communications through encryption and proxy servers. Trouble is, it requires both a browser extension and a standalone app to work -- leaving average users "horribly confused," according to developer Mike Perry. So, the organization has decided to retire the Tor Button and create its own fork of Firefox with private browsing features baked in. As an added benefit, Tor will no longer be at the mercy of Mozilla to fix bugs that affect privacy and security. For now, the group will focus on its downloadable bundle with automatic configuration scripts for simplifying setup, but eventually the paranoid will have a browser they can finally call their own.
