Microsoft is launching an internet browser that allows users to surf the Web without leaving a trace of the sites they've visited.
InPrivate Browsing, or the "porn mode" browser, is becoming accepted at locations offering public access to computers.
This could become an important tool on Ball State University's campus to protect the privacy of students.
Loren Malm, interim assistant vice president for information technology, said despite its suggestive nickname the program offered many incentives.
"A person using a public or shared computer might want to use InPrivate browsing when accessing their bank account or confidential information such as student grades or medical history," he said. "It will make sure the browser does not store copies of this information in the local browser cache."
Web advertising is another potential result of the new browser. Google relies on browsing history to target audiences with advertisements, but the InPrivate feature could prevent the company from tracking users.
Instructor of journalism Richard Shoemaker said he saw the browser causing "no gain and no loss" to the world of online advertising.
"It might even offer better electronic rotation of ads as one pops up with each new page," he said. "Rotating advertisements means that more messages will reach viewers and that their attention will be held longer with changing spots."
Although the new feature might increase students' privacy, some don't care because of similar programs some browsers such as Safari already use.
Junior telecommunication major Eric Peat said he wasn't likely to take advantage of the "porn mode" on computers and felt unaffected by the change.
"If anything it would be a nuisance because sites that I visit a lot would need to be typed in again," Peat said.
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