Private Browsing - Use Firefox without saving history
Revision Information
- Revision id: 17120
- Created:
- Creator: dlfrisch
- Comment:
- Reviewed: Yes
- Reviewed:
- Reviewed by: scoobidiver
- Is approved? No
- Is current revision? No
- Ready for localization: No
Revision Source
Revision Content
As you browse the web, Firefox remembers lots of information for you: sites you've visited, files you've downloaded, and more. There may be times, however, when you don't want other users on your computer to see this information, such as when shopping for a birthday present.
Private Browsing allows you to browse the Internet without saving any information about which sites and pages you’ve visited. This article explains what information is not saved when in Private Browsing and gives you step-by-step instructions for using it.
Warning: Private Browsing doesn't make you anonymous on the Internet. Your Internet service provider, employer, or the sites themselves can still track what pages you visit. Private Browsing also doesn't protect you from keyloggers or spyware that may be installed on your computer.
Table of Contents
What does Private Browsing not save?
- Visited pages: No pages will be added to the list of sites in the History menu, the Library window's history list, or the Awesome Bar address list.
- Form and Search Bar entries: Nothing you enter into text boxes on web pages or the Search bar - add, change and manage search engines on Firefox will be saved for Control whether Firefox automatically fills in forms.
- Passwords: No new passwords will be saved.
- Download List entries: No files you download will be listed in the Downloads Window after you turn off Private Browsing.
- Cookies: Cookies - Information that websites store on your computer store information about websites you visit such as site preferences, login status, and data used by plugins like Adobe Flash. Cookies can also be used by third parties to track you across web sites. For more info about tracking, see How do I turn on the Do Not Track feature?Note: To prevent Flash from storing cookies, you must be using its latest version. See Updating Flash for instructions. Private Browsing mode in Firefox 3.6 does not prevent cookies from being stored by other plugins. To be able to do that you’ll need to update Firefox.
- Web cache files: No temporary Internet files or cached files from web pages will be saved.
Note:
- If you create new Bookmarks in Firefox while using Private Browsing, they will not be removed when you stop Private Browsing.
- If you save files to your computer while using Private Browsing, they will not be deleted when you stop Private Browsing. However, any files you open in an external application will be cleared from the system's temporary folder, and none of the files you download will appear in the Where to find and manage downloaded files in Firefox list.
How do I turn on Private Browsing?
- At the top of the Firefox window, On the menu bar, click the menu ( menu in Windows XP), menu menu and select .
- When you turn on Private Browsing, Firefox alerts you that it will save your current windows and tabs for after you finish using Private Browsing. Click to continue.
- Check the box next to "Do not show this message again" if you don't want to receive this alert when you turn on Private Browsing.
- The Private Browsing information screen appears to confirm that you're in Private Browsing mode.
When browsing in Private Browsing mode, the Firefox window title will say (Private Browsing)the menu will be purple (for Windows XP the window title will say (Private Browsing) instead) during your session.
How do I turn off Private Browsing?
- At the top of the Firefox window, On the menu bar, click the menu ( menu in Windows XP), menu menu and select .
- The windows and tabs you were using when you enabled Private Browsing will appear, and you can use Firefox normally. The Firefox window title will no longer say (Private Browsing)The menu will turn orange again (for Windows XP the Firefox window title will no longer say (Private Browsing)) when Private Browsing is off.
How do I always start Firefox in Private Browsing?
There is a setting in the OptionsPreferences window that automatically enables Private Browsing whenever you start Firefox.
If you enter Private Browsing this way, the Firefox title bar won't say (Private Browsing)the menu won't turn purple (Windows XP, the Firefox title bar won't say (Private Browsing)) but Firefox will still not retain history as described above.
- In the Menu bar at the top of the screen, click and then select or , depending on your macOS version.Click the menu button and select .
Select the panel and go to the History section.
- In the drop-down menu next to Firefox will, choose .
- Check the box next to Automatically start Firefox in a private browsing sessionPermanent Private Browsing mode.
- Close the page. Any changes you've made will automatically be saved.