New Browzar browser treads lightly on the web

BUG ALERT

I tested this browser and it does what it says with cookies and cache. However, all sites visited with Browzar were listed in local setting/history/index.dat.

It is just an IE shell and while handles cookies and cache, all URLs are given up in index.dat. I've sent an email to Browzar. I'm not sure a way around that. If you're using this as a privacy protector - beware.

 

If u are a Firefox user wanting to achieve the same effect, u can use the Distrust or Stealther extension.

 

Absolutely. They are great extensions. Also, I have begun to use no-install programs more and more and run them from an encrypted partition using TrueCrypt. They don't necessarily have to run from USB Flash Drives of course, though I do that too. I like the K-Meleon and Opera no-install browsers. Firefox is rather bloated for a portable app, but I do use the FF portable built into TorPark (the portable all-in-one, self-configuring TOR). In fact, all of the above solutions would be better, imo, than this new Browzar browser I'm playing with tonight that still writes to index.dat.

 

I was just coming on here to post about this. As it has made the national news here in the UK.

But from what it seems it deleates after its on your computer. From what i have always read it is better to not allow anything to get on in the first place to ensure security. Than deleating the info immediately after its actually be put on there.

Any browsers which do actually prevent. As opposed to deleate like this does?.

 

Just so you know, though, Off By One is a limited, outdated-looking browser.

 

Has anyone tried NoTrax? It was available at http://www.heidi.ie the same place eraser is maintained, but I can't connect to them right now. Site either down or having problems.
Rick

 

Hey Herbalist,

The link works now.
Does NoTrax use IE engine? It doesn't say on the website.

 

Perhaps this may be of interest??

http://web3.0log.org/2006/09/01/new-secure-browser-browzar-is-fake-and-full-of-adware/

It seems some feel this "browser" is actually something to avoid.

I am so glad I found PCLINUXOS........don't get these issues

 

According to their site, it's completely independent of the rest of your system, so I'd have to believe it doesn't use IE. I tried it once briefly over a year ago. Might have changed since then. It appears that privacy is the primary motive behind NoTrax and they've gone to extremes to provide it, at the expense of functionality. For myself, I don't need ActiveX but Javascript is used almost everywhere. I doubt most users would use a browser on which nothing else runs but HTML. How many would have a legitimate need for that level of privacy? It could serve as a 2nd browser that's used for financial work, but someone would have to really need that level of privacy before they'd pay to lose most browser functionality.

Just downloaded it. Will give NoTrax another look. I don't do finances online so I can't test if it works with payment sites.
Rick

 

Loss of functionality for privacy doesn't sound good.
Especially regarding javascript.

 

Browzar doesn't seem to have been that well received, and there are accusations of it being adware: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/5310114.stm

 

http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/09/01/is-browzar-just-an-adware-machine/

Acadia

 

Browzar: dont go there ??!!

Browzar has come under serious fire with v.serious allegations made:

http://web3.0log.org/2006/09/01/new-secure-browser-browzar-is-fake-and-full-of-adware/
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/5310114.stm

Regards


oops sorry, didnt mean to start new thread, every body posting at once, good stuff ;-)

 

Just FYI, here's the Feature Set of NoTrax from Heidi:

Secure Stand Alone Tabbed Browser
NoTrax is a Secure Stand Alone Tabbed Internet Browser. Easy to install and use.
Single 100% Independent EXE
It comes as a single EXE that is 100% independent of other systems being installed.
No need for Internet Explorer or any other external systems apart from the Operating System.
It does not run on top of any other browser.
Can be run from a Floppy.
No Registry or Index.dat worries
No information is written to the Registry. NoTrax does not use the Registry. No Index.dat to worry about.
Erases the Browser's Cache
NoTrax erases the Cache during and after each browser session using secure deletion methods.
Cache is held in memory, not disk and is erased super fast.
Memory is pattern wiped on shutdown.
No information is stored randomly on your Hard Drive.
Favorites are stored in encrypted format on your Hard Drive.
Cache is Encrypted
Cache is encrypted using Blowfish Encryption - helpful in the event of PC crash.
Erases Cookies
Websites place cookies on your computer to track your internet activity. NoTrax erases Cookies during and after each browser session using secure deletion methods.
Erases History Files
History Files track what sites you've visited. NoTrax erases History Files during and after each browser session using secure deletion methods.
Erases Swap File
NoTrax erases the Windows Swap file on shutdown.
No Application logs creation
No Application Logs are created.
No Recycle Bin to worry about
The Recycle Bin is not used.
SSL and TLS Support
Supports SSL (Secure Socket Layer) and TLS (Transport Layer Security).
Root Certificates are built-in.
Automatic Shutdown during Inactivity
You can set NoTrax to shutdown, if the keyboard or mouse are inactive for a certain number of time (you decide).
Does NOT RUN the following...
Spyware: See Dangers of Spyware below
JavaScript: See Dangers of Browsing JS below
ActiveX: See Dangers of Browsing ActiveX below
Your own Homepage
You can display your own homepage as the default page.
Platforms
Runs on 9x, ME, NT, 2000 and XP.
Support
Unlimited Support and 'Peace of Mind'.