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This article describes a feature, ''Private Browsing'', which allows you to browse the Internet without Firefox retaining any data about which sites and pages you have visited

{for fx3} This article describes a feature available in Firefox 3.5, Private Browsing, which allows you to browse the Internet without Firefox retaining any data about which sites and pages you have visited: * To use this feature, [[Updating Firefox|update to Firefox 3.5]]. * To find information on clearing browsing history in Firefox 3.0.x, see [[Clearing Private Data]]. {/for} As you browse the web, Firefox helpfully remembers lots of information for you – sites you've visited, files you've downloaded and more. However, there may be times when you don't want other users of your computer to see this information. For example, if you share a computer with someone and have been shopping for their birthday present. '''Firefox 3.5 and later includes the Private Browsing feature which 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 does not make you anonymous on the Internet. Your internet service provider, employer, or the sites themselves can still track the pages you visit.'''{/warning} __TOC__ = 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 [[Location bar autocomplete|Awesome Bar]] address list. * '''Form and Search Bar entries''': Nothing you enter into text boxes on web pages or the [[Search bar]] will be saved for [[Form autocomplete]]. * '''Passwords''': No new passwords will be saved. * '''Download List entries''': No files you download will remain in the list in the [[Downloads window]] after you turn off Private Browsing. * '''Cookies''': Cookies are file​s created ​by websites​ that​ store information ​on your​ computer​, such​ as your​ preferences ​when​ visiting​ a certain site​. These will​ not ​be stored. For more information on cookies, see [[Cookies]]. * '''Web cache files''': No temporary Internet files or [[Glossary#cache|cached]] files from web pages will be saved until you turn off Private Browsing. {note} '''Note''': * If you create new [[Bookmarks]] 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, those files 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 [[Downloads window]] list. {/note} = How do I turn on Private Browsing? = {for win,fx35}[[Video:f85d07fcaa8e5de561dbc3ee7f3e167f-1267329213-339-0]]{/for} To start a Private Browsing session: #{for win,linux}At the top of the Firefox window, {/for}{for mac}On the menu bar,{/for} click the {for win,fx4}{menu Firefox} menu ({menu Tools} menu in Windows XP),{/for}{for win,fx35}{menu Tools} menu{/for}{for mac,linux}{menu Tools} menu{/for} and select {menu Start Private Browsing}. {for win,fx35}<br/> <br/> [[Image:c2865a810710523cf0602299e032059d-1267167660-207-1.jpg]]{/for}{for win,fx4}<br>[[Image:Private Browsing Win1]]{/for}{for mac,fx4}<br><br>[[Image:Private Browsing Mac1]]{/for}{for linux,fx4}<br>[[Image:Private Browsing Lin1]]{/for} {for fx3} {note}'''Not there?''' If ''Start Private Browsing'' is not in the Tools menu, you are not using the latest version of Firefox. To use this feature, [[Updating Firefox|update to Firefox 3.5 or later]].{/note} {/for} # When you turn on Private Browsing, Firefox will alert you that it will save your current windows and tabs for after you finish using Private Browsing. Click on {button Start Private Browsing} to continue.{for win}<br><br>[[Image:Private Browsing Win2]]{/for}{for mac,fx4}<br><br>[[Image:Private Browsing Mac2]]{/for}{for linux,fx4}<br>[[Image:Private Browsing Lin2]]{/for} #* Put a check mark next to "Do not show this message again" if you do not want to receive this alert the next time you turn on Private Browsing. # You will then enter Private Browsing mode, and the Private Browsing information screen will appear.{for win,fx35} <br/> <br/> [[Image:c2865a810710523cf0602299e032059d-1267167660-207-3.jpg]]{/for}{for win,fx4}[[Image:Private Browsing Win3]]{/for}{for mac,fx4}[[Image:Private Browsing Mac3]]{/for}{for linux,fx4}[[Image:Private Browsing Lin3]]{/for} When browsing in Private Browsing mode, {for not win,fx4}the Firefox window title will say '''(Private Browsing)'''{/for}{for win,fx4}the {menu Firefox} menu will be purple (for Windows XP the window title will say '''(Private Browsing)''' instead){/for} during your session.{for win,fx35} <br/> <br/> [[Image:c2865a810710523cf0602299e032059d-1267167660-207-4.jpg]]{/for} = How do I turn off Private Browsing? = {for win,fx35}[[Video:f85d07fcaa8e5de561dbc3ee7f3e167f-1267329213-339-1]]{/for} To end a Private Browsing session: #{for win,linux}At the top of the Firefox window, {/for}{for mac}On the menu bar,{/for} click the {for win,fx4}{menu Firefox} menu ({menu Tools} menu in Windows XP),{/for}{for win,fx35}{menu Tools} menu{/for}{for mac,linux}{menu Tools} menu{/for} and select {menu Stop Private Browsing}.{for win,fx35} <br/> <br/> [[Image:c2865a810710523cf0602299e032059d-1267167660-207-5.jpg]]{/for}{for win,fx4}<br>[[Image:Private Browsing Win4]]{/for}{for mac,fx4}<br><br>[[Image:Private Browsing Mac4]]{/for}{for linux,fx4}<br>[[Image:Private Browsing Lin4]]{/for} # The windows and tabs you were using when you enabled Private Browsing will appear, and you can use Firefox normally. {for not win,fx4}The Firefox window title will no longer say '''(Private Browsing)'''{/for}{for win,fx4}The {menu Firefox} menu will turn orange again (for Windows XP the Firefox window title will no longer say '''(Private Browsing)'''){/for} when Private Browsing is off. = How do I always start Firefox in Private Browsing? = There is a setting in the [[Options window - Privacy panel|{for win}Options{/for}{for mac,linux}Preferences{/for}]] window which will automatically enable Private Browsing whenever you start Firefox. {note}If you enter Private Browsing this way {for not win,fx4}the Firefox title bar won't say '''(Private Browsing)'''{/for}{for win,fx4}the {menu Firefox}menu won't turn purple (Windows XP, the Firefox title bar won't say '''(Private Browsing)'''){/for} but Firefox will still not retain history as described above.{/note} # [[T:optionspreferences]]. [[T:customhistory]] # Check the box next to {for fx35}'''Automatically start Firefox in a private browsing session'''{/for}{for fx4}'''Permanent Private Browsing mode'''{/for}.{for win,fx35} <br/> <br/> [[Image:c2865a810710523cf0602299e032059d-1267167660-207-6.jpg]]{/for}{for win,fx4}[[Image:Private Browsing Win5]]{/for}{for mac,fx4}[[Image:Private Browsing Mac5]]{/for}{for linux,fx4}[[Image:Private Browsing Lin5]]{/for} # [[T:closeOptionsPreferences]]