New Windows 10 Browser Bug Reveals Private Browsing Info in History Tab

[Exterminator]

Content source

http://news.softpedia.com/news/new-windows-10-browser-bug-reveals-private-browsing-info-in-history-tab-500347.shtml

Last month, a security research revealed that Microsoft Edge browser collected information about websites visited in private mode even after closing the session, thus exposing the history even when it’s not supposed to do it.

But according to Microsoft itself, this bug has already been fixed on Patch Tuesday with a dedicated update for Edge browser and yet, it turns out that the issue only got worse.

A reddit discussion reveals that after applying the update, Edge browser not only that continues to store information on the websites visited in private mode, but it also shows it in the history tab, thus making it easily accessible to anyone else. Previously, web browsing history was stored in a dedicated folder that was harder to reach for the average Joe, so this new bug makes it quite easy as pie to see websites visited in the InPrivate mode.

Only happening on some Windows 10 installs
What’s odd, however, is that the bug only seems to exist on a number of computers and not all Windows 10 installs seem to be impacted, according to posts in this reddit thread.

“Still happening. I just restarted the PC, clear all Edge cache and history, opened up a new InPrivate window, went to reddit.com and there it is in the normal session history dropdown menu. I open up a new tab, go to imgur.com and there it is in the normal session,” one user explains, adding that the testing was performed on a fully up-to-date computer and the history was there even after closing the session and relaunching the browser.

At this moment, there is no workaround on a PC impacted by the problem and the easiest way to determine whether you have the same issue or not is to clear all Edge history, open the InPrivate mode, load any website, close the browser, and then check history once again. If the visited website is there, then you have the bug, otherwise you’re good to go.

 

[DaveM]

It sounds to me like it's less of an unfixed bug and more of a Windows update issue. That or these users aren't installing the patch.

 

[jamescv7]

Well if that's the case, likely the patch is subs-standard? Or something one of the between parties may have not double check the suppose target? Still Microsoft must have to do something especially Edge issues continues to be roller coaster.

 

[DaveM]

The patch very well may be at fault. It wouldn't be the first time. The nice thing about Microsoft wanting to push Windows 10 so badly, is that they are likely to work much harder to fix things without a second and third time. Edge will probably be the last thing that they straighten out, but I'm sure it will get there. Until then, there are plenty of alternatives to browsers. I'm not even sure I'll bother with Edge. By the time it catches up to the others, people are already long used to Chrome, Firefox and so on.