Microsoft has just released the latest version of its popular web browser. Those who choose to download Internet Explorer 8 will enjoy several new measures that were designed to protect your privacy while you browse the web. These measures just might have a negative impact on web advertisers which rely on collecting data from web browsers.

If you choose to turn on certain features of Internet Explorer 8 you can stop behavioral web advertisers from tracking your web usage. A number of people have recently expressed concerns about this type of web advertising and some have gone as far as to call for government regulation in the industry. With this new version of Internet Explorer 8, it might be possible to alleviate some of the growing pressure to regulate web advertising.

While many might be excited at the prospect of greater privacy while browsing the web, be prepared for a headache. Finding the privacy features and turning them on is no easy task. Web browsers should keep in mind that Microsoft engages in behavioral advertising as well. This might suggest it is not in the best interest of the software giant to make this an easy task for users.

For those of you that are frustrated by cookies, look out for a feature called InPrivate Browsing. When you activate this handy little feature you will be able to prevent these cookies from being placed onto your computer. These cookies are frequently the keystones of behavioral advertising.