chip
09-24-2006, 08:15 PM
A web browser has been released that promises total privacy for its users.
http://img127.imageshack.us/img127/9450/42039120browzar203sh4.jpg
Browzar promises users total privacy when surfing the web
Browzar, as it is known, automatically deletes all traces of the pages a person has visited, and the terms that they have searched for on the web.
Most web browsers, including Microsoft's Internet Explorer, allow users to do this manually.
The developers of the browser say that it will be useful for people who want to protect their privacy on work PCs or when using shared PCs in net cafes.
Unwritten history
Browzar is similar to Internet Explorer but has had much of its software code rewritten.
It works by automatically deleting all private information about your surfing habits
Unlike other browsers it does not record the web address for any website you visit. So next time you logon, the names of sites such as http://news.bbc.co.uk (http://news.bbc.co.uk/) are not stored in the drop-down address bar at the top of the browser.
This also means that there is no web history folder on a user's hard drive, that records visited sites.
So called cached webpages are also not stored. Normally these webpages are kept on a computer's hardrive to speed up the download times of frequently visited websites.
http://img162.imageshack.us/img162/7596/42039144explorereyewire2033rm4.jpg
Th e browser prevents other people looking at private information
Using a cached page means a computer only has to download those elements of a site that has changed.
The browser also deletes "cookies" at the end of each browsing session.
A cookie is a small data file that sits on your computer and identifies you to the website.
Cookies may hold personal preferences about the site and details of how you reached the page.
The browser also does not use an auto-complete function, that works like predictive text on a mobile phone, and can give away terms previously used on search engines.
Currently, web users can delete all of these files manually, but it is often fiddly and would need to be done after every browsing session.
Stiff competition
Browzar is entering a market dominated by Internet Explorer.
Earlier this year, web analysis firm One Stat released figures that showed it had an 83.5% market share. In 2004, that share stood at 95%.
Rival browsers such as Firefox and Opera have been gaining significant inroads into the browser market.
But the developers of Browzar do not see their product as a rival. Instead they say their software is a complement to existing applications and is "designed to be run at those times when we want privacy."
At present the free download is available for PCs running the Microsoft Windows' operating system. It is currently offered as a "beta", or test version.
New versions for Apple Macs and Linux machines are expected soon.
Source [BBC] (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/5305250.stm)
With Browzar you can search and surf the web without leaving any visible trace on the computer you are using.
Browzar is free, it only takes seconds to download and you don’t even need to install it, so you can download Browzar time and time again, whenever and wherever you need it to protect your privacy.
* No browsing history, stored files, or cookies
* No embarrassing search auto-complete
* No installation. Just click ‘run’ and go
* No registration required
Homepage (http://www.browzar.com/)
Download Browzar (http://www.browzar.com/download/index.html)
http://img127.imageshack.us/img127/9450/42039120browzar203sh4.jpg
Browzar promises users total privacy when surfing the web
Browzar, as it is known, automatically deletes all traces of the pages a person has visited, and the terms that they have searched for on the web.
Most web browsers, including Microsoft's Internet Explorer, allow users to do this manually.
The developers of the browser say that it will be useful for people who want to protect their privacy on work PCs or when using shared PCs in net cafes.
Unwritten history
Browzar is similar to Internet Explorer but has had much of its software code rewritten.
It works by automatically deleting all private information about your surfing habits
Unlike other browsers it does not record the web address for any website you visit. So next time you logon, the names of sites such as http://news.bbc.co.uk (http://news.bbc.co.uk/) are not stored in the drop-down address bar at the top of the browser.
This also means that there is no web history folder on a user's hard drive, that records visited sites.
So called cached webpages are also not stored. Normally these webpages are kept on a computer's hardrive to speed up the download times of frequently visited websites.
http://img162.imageshack.us/img162/7596/42039144explorereyewire2033rm4.jpg
Th e browser prevents other people looking at private information
Using a cached page means a computer only has to download those elements of a site that has changed.
The browser also deletes "cookies" at the end of each browsing session.
A cookie is a small data file that sits on your computer and identifies you to the website.
Cookies may hold personal preferences about the site and details of how you reached the page.
The browser also does not use an auto-complete function, that works like predictive text on a mobile phone, and can give away terms previously used on search engines.
Currently, web users can delete all of these files manually, but it is often fiddly and would need to be done after every browsing session.
Stiff competition
Browzar is entering a market dominated by Internet Explorer.
Earlier this year, web analysis firm One Stat released figures that showed it had an 83.5% market share. In 2004, that share stood at 95%.
Rival browsers such as Firefox and Opera have been gaining significant inroads into the browser market.
But the developers of Browzar do not see their product as a rival. Instead they say their software is a complement to existing applications and is "designed to be run at those times when we want privacy."
At present the free download is available for PCs running the Microsoft Windows' operating system. It is currently offered as a "beta", or test version.
New versions for Apple Macs and Linux machines are expected soon.
Source [BBC] (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/5305250.stm)
With Browzar you can search and surf the web without leaving any visible trace on the computer you are using.
Browzar is free, it only takes seconds to download and you don’t even need to install it, so you can download Browzar time and time again, whenever and wherever you need it to protect your privacy.
* No browsing history, stored files, or cookies
* No embarrassing search auto-complete
* No installation. Just click ‘run’ and go
* No registration required
Homepage (http://www.browzar.com/)
Download Browzar (http://www.browzar.com/download/index.html)