Firefox’s Private Browsing Mode Can Now Block Invasive Online Ads

By Chris Morran November 3, 2015

http://consumerist.com/2015/11/03/firefoxs-private-browsing-mode-can-now-block-invasive-online-ads/#more-10222595

 

Excerpts:

 

Any decent web browser has some sort of incognito browsing mode that adds at least the appearance of a more private user experience. Now the folks behind the Firefox browser say their latest update includes an enhanced Private Browsing mode that limits tracking to the point of actually blocking some ads.

 

In a new blog post and the above video, Firefox VP Nick Nguyen explains the basics of the updated Private Browsing mode, which is available in version 42 of the browser — available for Windows, Mac, Android, and Linux.

 

 

The mode doesn’t block all ads, just ones that the browser determines are tracking the user’s online behavior. Nguyen acknowledges this may have the result of making some sites appear broken, which is why users have the ability to disable Tracking Protection for individual sites. It can also be turned on/off universally when you launch a Private Browsing window.

 

We tried Private Browsing on a couple of different popular sites and in both cases saw that significant ad units were blocked from showing up.

See article for examples on popular sites:

 

http://consumerist.com/2015/11/03/firefoxs-private-browsing-mode-can-now-block-invasive-online-ads/#more-10222595

Ad Blocking, it's the same old song with every browser.

At least in Firefox, it looks as if they've taken it a step further to include private browsing.

 

Good article, Lina.

I noticed today when Firefox updated that it highlighted private browsing as an improved feature. Haven't had a chance to try it yet.