Nearly every modern browser offers some variant of browsing that does not leave traces on your computer. Now, Firefox took that concept a step further, by adding ad blocking and tracking protection to its private browsing mode.
The way private browsing has worked so far in Firefox (and most other browsers), is that it opens a new browser instance which does not save history or cookies on your computer. Firefox's new Private Browsing with Tracking Protection, available in Firefox version 42, also blocks analytics trackers, ads (if they contain embedded trackers) and social share buttons, meaning your browser behavior is not shared with third party sites.
The new version of Firefox also has a new Control Center, where one can turn all the security and privacy features on and off. It's also possible to turn off tracking protection for a particular site if it behaves oddly.
"No other browser’s Private Browsing mode protects you the way Firefox does," Firefox VP Nick Nguyen wrote in a blog post Tuesday. Still, the concept is not new -- the Tor browser (which is admittedly Firefox-based) offers protection from tracking and cookies by default.
No other private browsing mode protects you the way Private Browsing w/ Tracking Protection does. Firefox 42 is live https://t.co/2R6IjSCCK9— Firefox (@firefox) November 3, 2015
In an introductory video (above), Nguyen also claims that some websites might load more quickly with tracking protection turned on. "We don't think you'll mind," he said.
The news comes days after Firefox finally announced it will be launching an iOS app, though the company declined to give any further details.