隐私是一个热门话题，我们的网络浏览器(web browser)是我们大多数隐私战的中心。第一个推出隐私模式的网络浏览器是 2005 年(web browser)Mac OS的(Mac OS)Safari。从那时起，所有主要的网络浏览器(web browser)都开发了“隐私浏览”模式。每种浏览器提供的隐私有显着差异，它们都达不到我们对私下浏览网页意味着什么的预期。在这篇观点文章中(opinion article)，我们希望提倡一系列可以以有意义的方式增加隐私浏览概念的功能。以下是我们希望所有网络浏览器(web browser)在其隐私浏览模式下提供的内容：
1. VPN应该可用并打开，用于隐私浏览
VPN起源于 1996 年名为PPTP（或点对点隧道协议(Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol)）的协议，它已成为安全和隐私(security and privacy)的既定标准。VPN会加密您的互联网流量(internet traffic)，这意味着当您的互联网服务提供商或其他任何(internet service provider or anyone)人试图跟踪您的活动时，他们将无法理解通过VPN 连接(VPN connection)的数据。唯一在其隐私浏览模式下(browsing mode)实现VPN的流行网络浏览器(web browser)是Opera。当你在Opera 浏览器(Opera browser)中打开一个私人窗口时，你有一个VPN 按钮(VPN button)，您可以单击它来启动VPN 会话(VPN session)。
我们对Opera的不满是在使用隐私浏览时服务不会自动启动，而且VPN 服务(VPN service)不可配置。我们希望所有主要的网络浏览器能够：
- (Partner)与值得信赖的VPN 提供商(VPN provider and offer VPN)合作，并在其隐私浏览模式下默认提供 VPN。他们可以要求收费，并提供出色的VPN 服务(VPN service)。
- 当您进入隐私浏览时， VPN 服务(VPN service)应该会自动启动。
- 您应该能够稍微配置一下VPN 服务(VPN service)，以便它按您的需要工作。
Opera做得很好，作为一个正面的例子，尽管它并不完美。
2.默认启用私人搜索引擎(search engine)
浏览网页和使用搜索已经交织在一起。地址栏(address bar)已成为互联网搜索框(search box)，您会发现自己直接从这个地方搜索网站。谷歌(Google)是典型的互联网搜索引擎，(search engine)市场份额(market share)超过 90%。在隐私方面，谷歌(Google)也是一只大灰狼。当您想要私密时，您也希望您的搜索保持私密。Vivaldi 网络浏览器(web browser)是这方面的一个很好的例子。它允许您为其私人浏览窗口指定一个单独的搜索引擎。(search engine)
此外，从您安装 DuckDuckGo 的那一刻起， Vivaldi就将 DuckDuckGo(DuckDuckGo)设置为默认的私人搜索引擎(search engine)。您还可以设置Vivaldi使用其他私人搜索引擎(search engine)，例如Qwant。我们喜欢这种方法，所有的网络浏览器都应该接受它。
3. 禁用跟踪器和跟踪 cookie
隐私浏览的漏洞之一是在隐私会话期间，不会停止收集您的数据。是的，数据会在您完成私人浏览会话(browsing session)的那一刻被转储，但在此过程中，称为跟踪器的窥探元素会不断收集(gathering information)有关您活动的信息。
Firefox是防止跟踪器的一个很好的例子。它的功能最初被称为Tracking Protection，后来被重命名为Content Blocking。这个想法是网络内容(web content)、cookie 或脚本可以收集您在私人浏览会话(browsing session)中所做的事情。Firefox中的内容阻止(Content Blocking)功能可确保在您使用隐私浏览(Private Browsing)时不会发生此收集。
(Thumbs)点赞火狐(Firefox)！所有的网络浏览器都应该为他们的隐私浏览模式复制这种方法。
4.默认禁用扩展，但允许用户启用他们信任的扩展
Web 浏览器中隐私保护(privacy protection)的弱点之一是扩展（或附加组件）。第三方开发者提供的一些扩展可以随时自由地跟踪你在做什么，包括在隐私浏览期间。不幸的是，在我们的网络浏览器中，浏览器的隐私设置不会自动扩展到用户已安装的扩展程序。默认情况下，浏览器的扩展程序不应访问您的私人浏览会话。Opera又是一个积极的例子。
Google Chrome 和 Microsoft Edge(Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge)的表现也很好，默认情况下在其隐私浏览模式（隐身和 InPrivate(Incognito and InPrivate)）中禁用扩展。这方面的大罪魁祸首是Firefox。此浏览器不会禁用隐私浏览(Private Browsing)中的扩展程序，它应该这样做以更好地保护其用户。
5. 私密浏览时阻止恢复关闭的标签页
恢复关闭的选项卡是标准Web 浏览会话(web browsing session)中的一项方便功能。在隐私浏览中，它可用于打破隐私保护(privacy protection)并恢复您关闭的标签页。Google Chrome、Microsoft Edge和Opera通过在使用隐私浏览时禁用恢复关闭的选项卡来正确运行。
Firefox再次成为唯一的违规者，因为它始终允许恢复关闭的标签页。
6.清除剪贴板，以便其他人无法粘贴您复制的最后一项
在处理计算机、平板电脑或智能手机时，使用剪贴板已成为第二天性。我们一直在不注意地将信息复制到剪贴板中。
当您在私人浏览会话(browsing session)中工作时，您可以将想要保密的信息复制到剪贴板中。(clipboard information)在共享计算机上，其他人可以粘贴剪贴板的内容，从而破坏您的隐私。出于这个原因，我们建议在您关闭您正在使用的隐私浏览窗口后，应清除剪贴板中在隐私浏览会话中获取的内容。(browsing session)
7. 创建始终加载在隐私浏览窗口中的书签(browsing window)
我们的大部分网页浏览(web browsing)都是通过书签启动的。最常用的网站会进入我们的书签。在为特定页面创建书签时，我们希望将网络浏览器(web browser)设置为始终在私人浏览窗口(browsing window)中打开该页面，而无需用户进行任何其他干预。我们没有找到允许此设置的浏览器。您可以获得的最接近的方法是右键单击或点击并按住书签，然后选择在新的私人窗口中打开书签。
问题是每次使用书签时都需要这样做。许多用户喜欢将一些网站存储在他们的书签中，并确保他们总是在私人浏览中加载。您不想为您访问的某些网站提供此功能吗？
您对改进隐私浏览还有哪些其他建议？
能够使用私人网络浏览(web browsing)模式是对所有主要网络浏览器的一个很好的补充。然而，这些模式远非完美，需要改进。我们认为本文中分享的想法可以产生重大的积极影响。在结束这篇文章之前，告诉我们你的想法。你喜欢我们的想法吗？您对改进私人网页浏览(web browsing)有其他建议吗？在下面发表评论(Comment)，让我们讨论。
7 ways in which browsers should improve private browsing (Incognito, InPrivate, etc)
Privаcy is a hot toрic, and our web browsers are аt the center of most of our privacy battles. The first web browser that launched the private mode waѕ Safari for Mac ОS, in 2005. Since then, all the major web browserѕ have developed a "private browsing" mode. The privacy delivered by each browser has significant differenсes, and all of them fall short of our expectations аbout what it means to browse the web priνately. In this opinion article, we want to advocate a list of features that can increase, in meaningful ways, the concept оf private browsing. Here is what we would like all web browsers to offer, in their private browѕing modes:
1. VPN should be available and turned-on, for private browsing
VPN has its origins in a 1996 protocol named PPTP (or Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol), and it has become an established standard for security and privacy. VPN encrypts your internet traffic which means that when your internet service provider or anyone else tries to track your activity, they won't understand the data going through the VPN connection. The only popular web browser that implements VPN in its private browsing mode is Opera. When you open a private window in the Opera browser, you have a VPN button that you can click to start a VPN session.
The gripe we have with Opera is that the service is not started automatically when using private browsing and that the VPN service is not configurable. We would love for all the major web browsers to:
- Partner with a trustworthy VPN provider and offer VPN by default, in their private browsing modes. It is OK for them to ask for a fee, and provide an excellent VPN service.
- The VPN service should start automatically when you enter private browsing.
- You should be able to configure the VPN service a bit so that it works as you need.
Well done Opera, for being a positive example, albeit an imperfect one.
2. Enable a private search engine as the default
Browsing the web and using search have become intertwined. The address bar has become an internet search box, and you find yourself searching for websites directly from this place. Google is the quintessential search engine of the internet with a market share that goes above 90%. Google is also the big bad wolf when it comes to privacy. When you want to go private, you want your searches to remain private as well. The Vivaldi web browser is an excellent example in this area. It lets you specify a separate search engine for its private browsing windows.
Moreover, Vivaldi sets DuckDuckGo as the default private search engine from the moment you install it. You can also set Vivaldi to use other private search engines, like Qwant for example. We love this approach, and all web browsers should embrace it.
3. Disable trackers and tracking cookies
One of the loopholes of private browsing is that during the private session, the collection of your data is not stopped. Yes, the data is dumped the moment you finish your private browsing session, but during its course, the snooping elements, called trackers, keep gathering information about your activity.
Firefox is an excellent example of protecting against trackers. Its feature was called initially Tracking Protection, and it has been renamed Content Blocking. The idea is that web content, cookies, or scripts can collect what you are doing in a private browsing session. The Content Blocking feature in Firefox ensures this collection is not happening when you use Private Browsing.
Thumbs up Firefox! All web browsers should copy this approach for their private browsing modes.
4. Disable extensions by default, yet allow users to enable the ones they trust
One of the weak points of your privacy protection in web browsers is the extensions (or add-ons). Some of the extensions provided by third-party developers can freely track what you are doing at all times, including during private browsing. Unfortunately, in our web browsers, the privacy settings of the browser do not extend automatically to the extensions that the user has installed. The browser's extensions should not have access to your private browsing sessions, by default. Opera is again a positive example.
Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge behave nicely as well, disabling extensions by default in their private browsing modes (Incognito and InPrivate). The big offender in this area is Firefox. This browser does not disable extensions in Private Browsing, and it should do that to better protect its users.
5. Block the restoration of closed tabs while browsing privately
Restoring closed tabs is a handy feature in a standard web browsing session. In private browsing, it can be used to break the privacy protection and bring back your closed tabs. Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, and Opera behave correctly by disabling the restoration of closed tabs when using private browsing.
Firefox is again the only offender, as it allows the restoration of closed tabs, at all times.
6. Clear the clipboard so that others cannot paste the last item(s) that you copied
Using the clipboard has become second nature when dealing with computers, tablets, or smartphones. We copy information into the clipboard all the time without paying attention.
When you work in a private browsing session, you may copy into the clipboard information that you want to keep private. On a shared computer, someone else can paste the content of the clipboard, and break your privacy. For this reason, we propose that the clipboard should be cleared of its content acquired in a private browsing session after you close the private browsing windows that you were using.
7. Create bookmarks that always load in a private browsing window
A substantial chunk of our web browsing is initiated through bookmarks. The most used websites find their way into our bookmarks. When creating a bookmark to a specific page, we would love to set our web browser to always open that page in a private browsing window, without any other intervention from the user. We did not find browsers that allow this setting. The closest you can get is to right-click or tap and hold on a bookmark and then choose to open the bookmark in a new private window.
The problem is that you need to do this every time you use the bookmark. Many users would love to store some sites in their bookmarks and make sure that they always load in private browsing. Wouldn't you love to have this feature for some of the sites that you visit?
What other suggestions do you have for improving private browsing?
Being able to use private web browsing modes is a great addition to all the major web browsers. However, these modes are far from perfect and need improving. We think that the ideas shared in this article can have a significant positive impact. Before closing this article, tell us what you think. Do you like our ideas? Do you have other suggestions for improving private web browsing? Comment below and let's discuss.
