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Google will finally offer real private browsing on Chrome

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Google will soon improve its incognito mode to make it completely private. The Mountain View company wants to prevent some website developers from bypassing it.

The private browsing mode in web browsers is certainly one of the most used features. In particular, it allows users to acquire a certain sense of confidentiality and privacy when surfing the web.

But here's the thing: the mode has a flaw that web developers can use to detect if you're incognito and thus offer personalized ads. Worse, this technique is unfortunately widespread. Many web tutorials explain how to exploit Google's browser flaw, but fortunately the Mountain View firm has finally decided to get to the root of the problem and fix it.

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A private mode that is not so private./ © NextPit

To do this, Google will have to modify its code, as well as the FileSystem API. In concrete terms, this API allows websites to create a virtual file system residing in the browser sandbox in which certain resources will be stored. In incognito mode, this API is not present, since it leaves files in the sandbox. The current flaw is to use this API. If a website can access it, then the user is in normal mode, if not, he is in private mode. Google will therefore create a virtual FileSystem API to encourage websites to think that the API is working normally. This will then be deleted at the end of the session.

According to Google, this improvement will already be available from version 74 of Chrome (which can be activated via a command) and then fully deployed for the general public in version 76.

Do you often use the incognito mode? Let us know in the comments.

Source: 9to5Google

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Pierre Vitré

Pierre Vitré
Head of Content

Pierre has a strong passion for new technologies and mobile since its first StarTac. Android user since 2011, Pierre became totally hooked. He never leaves his smartphone and smartwatch and still believes in the success of Google Glass. That's why he joined AndroidPIT.fr to be the head of content.

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  • Albin Foro 30
    Albin Foro Feb 19, 2019 Link to comment

    Google doesn't prevent itself from aggregating data, regardless what it prevents third-party sites from doing. I don't use incognito on Chrome because I silo its use (with a nonsense Gmail account) to avoid "real me" logins and form filling, it's mainly for Google's own services and technology sites using the Google login. Standalone apps (on Android) or Firefox (on PC) handle personal and credit card identity interactions.


  • 17
    Gavin Runeblade Feb 19, 2019 Link to comment

    Their fake privacy is why I use Firefox and Tor. If they fix it for real I might start using Chrome again when I hit a site that isn't Firefox compatible.