How Private is Internet Explorer's InPrivate Browsing

There seems to be some confusion concerning just how private Internet Explorer’s InPrivate Browsing feature is.

InPrivate Browsing is best described as a way to prevent Sara Snoop or Nosey Ned from discovering what Web sites you’ve visited and what you looked at on those Web sites.

However and this is very important, InPrivate Browsing does not provide anonymity on the Internet!

The following is a summary of what InPrivate Browsing provides:
* Cookies kept in memory to insure Web pages work correctly are “cleared” when you close your InPrivate Browser window.
* Temporary Internet Files stored on your hard drive so Web pages work correctly are deleted when you close InPrivate Browser window.
* Web page history is not stored during an InPrivate Browsing session.
* Passwords are not stored during an InPrivate Browsing session.
* Address bar and search AutoComplete is not stored.
* Document Object Model (DOM) storage, a kind of “mega cookie” web developers use to retain information is as are all other regular cookies deleted when you close your InPrivate window.

The following is a summary of what InPrivate Browsing does not prevent or provide:
* It doesn't prevent someone on your network e.g., a network administrator or a hacker from seeing where you’ve been.
* It doesn’t necessarily provide Internet anonymity. Web sites may be able to identify you by capturing your Web address and/or anything you do while on their Web site.
* Will not remove favorites or feeds you add while using InPrivate Browsing.
* Will not remove Internet Explorer settings e.g., a new home page made during an InPrivate Browsing session.
* Will not clear any history or information concerning your toolbars or browser extensions stored on your computer. However to help protect your privacy, Internet Explorer disables all toolbars and extensions by default in your InPrivate Browsing window.

Note: When you start InPrivate Browsing Internet Explorer opens a unique new browser window. The protection InPrivate Browsing provides is in effect only during the time you’re using that window to browse. You can open as many tabs as you want in the InPrivate Browsing window and they’ll all be protected. However if you open another browser window, that window will not be protected by InPrivate Browsing.

There’s no question InPrivate Browsing will thwart Sara Snoop’s and Nosy Ned’s efforts to discover where you’ve been on the Web and what you peeked at on the Web sites you visited, but be aware you’ll need a 3rd party software program if you’re concerned about anonymity while on the Internet.

Here’s wishing you a Good Boot.