New Web Browsers Allow Secret Surfing

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Story Published: Sep 10, 2008 at 6:24 PM MDT

Story Updated: Nov 21, 2008 at 3:01 AM MDT

By Wes Horrocks

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POCATELLO - Some updates to web browsers may soon make it easier for people to visit explicit websites without anyone knowing.

The idea behind the new web browsers is to keep companies and advertisers from seeing where you go on the internet-unfortunately it has some downsides.

When you surf the web your computer is automatically keeping track of the sites you visit, and storing that information. The new Internet Explorer 8 hopes to change that.

Using what's called InPrivate Browsing your web browser will not store that information on your computer. Alfredo Enriquez-Nareja, a Galaxy Computer technician said, "It will actually block these attacks, and you can keep browsing, and keep your privacy, and keep your computer from being taken."

The privacy features can help keep your spouse from finding out about the surpise gift you bought online, and when you use a public computer your information isn't stored for someone else to find. Enriquez-Nareja said, "There's always a chance that information can be used to get into the computer. But as it is with tehcnology it's just eveyrbody trying to stay a step ahead of everybody else."

But the software may be a problem for internet filters. Some work by scanning a website for explicit information before it shows up on your computer. If the information is blocked by your web browser the filter won't catch it. Enriquez-Nareja said, "Just have those filters, whether they be contextual-based or list-based, running at all times."

Other filters that block websites that are on an excluded list should be unaffected by the browser.

Along with the privacy browsing the new Internet Explorer has several extra security features to help protect your computer from attacks.

It is still be tested right now, but is expected to be released soon.

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