Microsoft Applies For Patent On Private Browsing

Slashdot picked up a story in BBC News about Microsoft's plan to use a "privacy mode" in the next release of its web browser, Internet Explorer. With the click of a button, users of IE8 will be able to limit how much information is recorded about their online activity. Two applications by Microsoft have been spotted for covering trademarks for managing the amount of information a browser logs.

Although many browsers already have menu options that let users alter security settings and clear history files, it typically must be done on a per use basis. Microsoft's approach will allow users to turn on a privacy mode that will erase data that browsing programs log and turns off features that record sites visited.

Apple's Safari browser already has a privacy mode and the creators of Mozilla's Firefox are apparently working on a similar feature as well.
For details see: BBC NEWS.