Firefox Private Browsing Bug Fixed
 

Private Browsing Bug Fixed in Firefox 15.0.1

Mozilla has updated its latest version of Firefox after sites visited while in Private Browsing mode were stored in the browser's cache.

September 10, 2012 3:13 AM PDT

Browser maker Mozilla has patched a bug in the latest major version of Firefox that could have exposed the websites of those using the "Private Browsing" mode.

"Private Browsing," a feature implemented in most modern browsers, allows users to browse the Web without leaving any trace of the websites visited on the user's computer.

But shortly after the latest Firefox release was dished out to end-users, a bug report was filed to claim that any site visited while in the privacy-conscious mode "could be found through manual browser cache inspection," according to Mozilla's bug-reporting site Bugzilla.


Website addresses, page images, search queries, passwords and cookies -- known as cached content -- were stored by Firefox 15 when the browser privacy mode was enabled. This allowed anyone with access to the cached content to determine which websites were visited even in the "Private Browsing" mode, potentially exposing a user's privacy.

While Firefox 15.0.1 will no longer add "Private Browsing" data to the cache, any existing files stored in the cache will remain. Users upgrading to the new browser should clear their Internet history and browsing data as soon as the new Firefox 15.0.1 version is installed.

Firefox 15 was first released on August 28 to include silent, background updates, support for the SPDY (version 3) open network protocol, and enhanced WebGL features for better graphics performance.

The latest browser version is available for Windows, OS X, and Linux.

Re: Firefox Private Browsing Bug Fixed
 

Thanx FD for tha info. Nice to know. I dont use ff 15.0 yet cos of the link checking issues. Un-less that is sorted to lol

Re: Firefox Private Browsing Bug Fixed
 

Lots of privacy issues are indeed a concern. The issue here is not just Firefox nor the point of the cache. While you may wind up with Firefox sealed up, you've not addressed the fact that Windows keeps a separate record of the sites visited for its own cache and most are not aware it is there.

If you are curious about what is in your cache here's how to go look for it and how to clear it.

Go to Start>All Programs>Accessories>Command prompt. At Command Prompt, you must give it the ability to 'Run as Administrator' as it will take that level of assess to get to the info.

You must start out at C root but will find yourself in C:\Windows\System32. So to get to root type or paste in this:
cd..\..

You should now have the C: prompt.
Now type in:

ipconfig/displaydns

You will now get a history of where you have been on the net.
To remove this list type in the following:

ipconfig/flushdns

This is not by far the only source to find your past history. There are many other ways. The main one that used to be used was cookies. It still is to some extent like finding out where you are coming from to view an image. Usually called a referrer. Lots of image hosters do this.

There are other ways not on your computer and not under your control. I can not for the life of me remember the name of the company but it sells datamining to the big corps. It looks at the unique folder number in your browser and attaches data to that concerning you. When you go to some other site that deals with this company it will match that unique folder number to your data and add to it. It's been rather successful in keeping track of surfing histories because it is wide spread in use.

Re: Firefox Private Browsing Bug Fixed
 

Not only that, but they still have a bug in their "opt out" facility, so your position of where you live cannot be hidden, even when you cancel it

Re: Firefox Private Browsing Bug Fixed
 

Just to add... FFox 3.8 is STILL the best!!!