Nothing says "simple minded" like calling the latest privacy innovation built into browsers "porn-mode".
Seriously? You can’t think of a single reason other than surfing porn that you would want a privacy mode for? If so, you are either too naive or too obsessed with porn.
Let’s start by saying I don’t want other people accessing my computer to know what I do on my personal time no matter what it is. It’s none of their business if I play fantasy baseball, if I shop at Costco, or if I’m looking for a new dentist. So, yes, I’ll be using privacy mode for that. Just because it isn’t red-faced embarrassing, doesn’t mean it isn’t private.
Then, remember that privacy mode doesn’t just keep websites from writing new cookies, or tracking, or whatever to your computer, it also keeps them from reading the ones that are already there!
If it weren’t for people manually deleting their cookies, or installing new programs to do it for them, websites both legit and not could track you FOREVER with your cookies and other things on your computer. Are you really OK with Sears knowing (before you enter any personal information or tell them who you are) that you bought tires from them in 2001 and then searched for wiper blades but didn’t buy any in 2006, and that now you are back looking at the automotive section? Since you paid full price the last two times you visited, maybe they should not display the sale prices while you are browsing?
Does Sears do this? No. Could they? You bet.
There are dozens, or maybe hundreds, of very useful thing that can be using the new privacy modes whether it’s Google Incognito, Microsoft InPrivate, or Firefox Private Browsing. The only reason it seems like you don’t need private browsing is because users developed tons of add-ons, plug-ins, and settings to control their privacy.
Controlling what a website keeps track of on you and your computer used to involve downloading a whole new program like CCleaner, or having to dig into the Tools-> Options-> Privacy menu on your browser. Some people even resorted to learning how to use the semi-hidden profiles feature of Firefox and then creating a separate profile in order to do certain tasks.
Doesn’t privacy mode sound a lot easier?
Here are some great reasons to use your browser’s privacy mode including some that used to take much more complicated measures to get the same results.
Top Reasons to Use Privacy Mode That Are Not Porn
- See what your Google search results would look like without "personalization" – Now you don’t have to listen to SEO consultants who tell you that just searching something to get results is not an option.
- Research Products and Services so that when you are ready to buy, they don’t know that you have ever been there before.
- Use Coupon Codes, Shipping Discounts, and more that are only good for "new customers" or those who have never been to a website before. Thanks to privacy mode, they won’t see that cookie or authenticated session that makes you ineligible.
- Get a new registration or user name at a website or forum that you already use without the hassle of having two registrations. (Just always use privacy mode for the 2nd one.)
- Keep your boss, co-workers, or spouse from knowing how much time you spend on Monster.com.
- Avoid "personalized" offers from online merchants.
- Or research whether those offers are really personalized, or just the same ones everyone else gets.
- Respond to a post, debate, or review without giving away who you are.
The list could go on and on. Research info on new banks, doctors, jobs, services, and more without them knowing and without the next person on your PC knowing.
Let’s also not forget that the world is full of embarrassments that are not porn. What about online dating, weight loss, plastic surgery, medical conditions (unusual bowel movements, anyone?), collections (you still collect stamps? figurines? baseball cards? beanie babies? – Do you want the creepy guy in accounting to know that?)
So, let’s give the whole "porn-mode" thing a rest. You’ve made your point, if you every had one.
Actually, nobody has ever been better at getting along without a privacy mode than those who surf for porn, because they knew that they needed to watch their privacy-backs. It’s all of those other things that people naively do on their computers that are leaving things that they wish wouldn’t be left there that need privacy mode.
Enjoy. I’m off to get credit for a referral to a website that I’ve already been to once or twice in the past.