Does closing a tab give the same security as closing a browser?
Before the advent of tabs, we were urged to close the browser and open a new one after being on a site that involved sensitive information.
Does closing a Firefox tab give the same security, or should I continue to close the entire browser?
Vahaolana nofidina
No, that doesn't give the same protection. Some data may be removed by closing and restarting Firefox, but even then you may still have data stored on disk in the cache or the cookies even if you have closed all open tabs before closing Firefox.
You can switch to Private Browsing to prevent storing any data at all or you can use Clear Recent History to clear the last hour or more if necessary.
Firefox 4 and later versions save the previous session automatically, so there is no longer need for the dialog asking if you want to save the current session.
Use "File > Exit" or "Firefox > Exit" (Mac: "Firefox > Quit Firefox") if you want to restore multiple windows or otherwise have problems with restoring tabs.
You can use "History > Restore Previous Session" to get the previous session at any time.
There is also a "Restore Previous Session" button on the default about:home Home page.
All Replies (2)
Vahaolana Nofidina
No, that doesn't give the same protection. Some data may be removed by closing and restarting Firefox, but even then you may still have data stored on disk in the cache or the cookies even if you have closed all open tabs before closing Firefox.
You can switch to Private Browsing to prevent storing any data at all or you can use Clear Recent History to clear the last hour or more if necessary.
Firefox 4 and later versions save the previous session automatically, so there is no longer need for the dialog asking if you want to save the current session.
Use "File > Exit" or "Firefox > Exit" (Mac: "Firefox > Quit Firefox") if you want to restore multiple windows or otherwise have problems with restoring tabs.
You can use "History > Restore Previous Session" to get the previous session at any time.
There is also a "Restore Previous Session" button on the default about:home Home page.
Thanks, cor-el.