is the in-private browsing somewhat new for firefox? i switched from using explorer because i did not want in-private. when i switched I’m pretty sure this wasn’t an option. can you tell me how to block it completely. i do not want this feature.

please help,

fay.

In Firefox 2.0 there was an option to use a “DOWNLOADED LIST of suspected sites” (see screenshot):
http://bb.homelinux.org/en/firefox/antiphishadvanced.html
but it is gone in Firefox 3.0! Now you have no choice, there is only one option left, which was called “check by asking [Google]” in Firefox 2.0, and now it is renamed to “Block reported attack sites” and “Block reported web forgeries”. Note, that “Google” name is dropped, so uninformed users can’t even KNOW that Google tracks all their traffic! Too bad. This is WRONG. Ability to use a “downloaded list” should be returned! Free Firefox!

Currently, Google tracks EVERY webpage you are viewing in Firefox 3 (!), but it CAN be disabled:

HOW-TO DISABLE GOOGLE SPYING IN FIREFOX 3.0/3.5:

1) Navigare to “Tools / Options / Security”.
2) UNcheck “Block reported attack sites”.
3) UNcheck “Block reported web forgeries”.
4) Click “OK” button.

I had 3.0 “shoved down my throat” when I did not upgrade from 2.0.
First thing I noticed was “unauthorized” changes to my bookmarks.
My favorite search engine was replaced with
“Google”! and Google was installed in my browser!
“Everyone” knows that Google has cut a deal to supply the Government with information they gather on “all” computer users surfing habits & subjects.

So Mozilla is carrying water for Google,that means that Mozilla is now helping in the collection of data on all of us.

I no longer recommend Mozilla to anyone.

Just what I need,…to look up information on adult diapers for my parents,and Mozilla tells Google they are for me!
Anyone doing business with Google will not be doing business with me.

Good Bye Mozilla.

“Firefox takes your privacy incredibly seriously (…)”

I strongly disagree with this claim. Firefox with each release adds more and more privacy invasive features. For example, in Firefox 3.5 there is, aside from so-called “safebrowsing” added in previous releases, another Google service integrated – geolocation. I don’t think that you can claim that “Firefox takes your privacy incredibly seriously” while at the same time browser supports superflous unique identifier (aka “reinvented cookie” as Gavin aptly described it).

Of course, so-called Google’s “safebrowsing” is much more privacy-invasive than geolocation – apart from sending unique identifier with almost each connection related with “safebrowsing” (in wrkey parameter) there is also a possibility for Google in some cases to gather information about visited URLs. See my demo (written more than half a year ago – it works with all Firefox versions starting from 3.0; for versions >= 2 and < 3.0 there is another demo). It also works with “private mode” enabled.