TY - JOUR
T1 - A forensic examination of web browser privacy-modes
AU - Horsman, Graeme
AU - Findlay, Ben
AU - Edwick, Josh
AU - Asquith, Alisha
AU - Swannell, Katherine
AU - Fisher, Dean
AU - Grieves, Alexander
AU - Guthrie, Jack
AU - Stobbs, Dylan
AU - McKain, Peter
PY - 2019/10/14
Y1 - 2019/10/14
N2 - Private browsing facilities are part of many mainstream Internet browsing applications and arguably, there is now more awareness of their function and purpose by the average Internet user. As a result the potential for those engaging in malicious and/or illegal browsing behaviours, to do so in a ‘privatised’ way is increased. Many private browsing modes are designed to be ‘locally private’, preventing data denoting a user’s browsing actions from being stored on their device. Such actions, potentially compromise the availability of any evidential data, provide an investigatory headache. This work documents the examination of 30 web browsers to determine the presence of a ‘private mode’, and where available, the ‘privateness’ of said mode. Our test methodology is documented and results and limitations described for the purpose of open, transparent scrutiny and evaluation from those operating in this area.
AB - Private browsing facilities are part of many mainstream Internet browsing applications and arguably, there is now more awareness of their function and purpose by the average Internet user. As a result the potential for those engaging in malicious and/or illegal browsing behaviours, to do so in a ‘privatised’ way is increased. Many private browsing modes are designed to be ‘locally private’, preventing data denoting a user’s browsing actions from being stored on their device. Such actions, potentially compromise the availability of any evidential data, provide an investigatory headache. This work documents the examination of 30 web browsers to determine the presence of a ‘private mode’, and where available, the ‘privateness’ of said mode. Our test methodology is documented and results and limitations described for the purpose of open, transparent scrutiny and evaluation from those operating in this area.
U2 - 10.1016/j.fsir.2019.100036
DO - 10.1016/j.fsir.2019.100036
M3 - Article
SN - 2665-9107
JO - Forensic Science International: Reports
JF - Forensic Science International: Reports
M1 - 100036
ER -