How Does Incognito Mode Work?
Incognito mode works by allowing you to browse the internet privately on a shared device. When you turn on incognito mode on your device, it disables the browser from recording your history, cookies, cache, and form data on your device. etc. As soon as you end the sessions, all the data is automatically erased. Here are some benefits you can get using Incognito mode:
- Any sites you visit won’t be stored in your browser history.
- Temporary cookies (like login data) are deleted when you close the browser.
- Your login credentials, search queries, and form inputs aren’t saved.
- Since cookies aren’t stored, your searches aren’t influenced by past activity.
How Safe Is Incognito Mode?
Incognito mode provides a basic level of privacy in which your browsing history remains unknown to the other users on your device, and the cookie and cache data are not saved in the device. However, it is still not completely safe and secure in terms of security, privacy, and digital footprints. Your internet service provider, the network admins such as your employer, or the institute whose network you are using in your device and the websites you are visiting using your device can still track your online activities.
Incognito mode doesn’t make you completely anonymous on the internet. The ISP and websites can still see your IP address. Using this information, they can track your browsing behavior and send you targeted ads. In addition to this, some websites, games, or services can block your IP if they detect suspicious activity.
The most important thing in this regard is that you can`t prevent cyber attacks if you are using incognito mode on your internet of things. Hackers can launch DDoS Attacks using your IP address and flood your connection with traffic, causing lag or disconnection. Hackers can still exploit your device if you are using vulnerable open ports. Hence, incognito mode is not so secure an option. When it comes to online privacy and security against malware attacks you have to have smart antivirus software.
When Should You Use Incognito Mode?
Since it provides some basic level of privacy and security, it makes the Incognito mode (private browsing) useful in various situations. If you don’t want your browsing history, cookies, or login details to be stored on your device, then you should turn it on. Here are some situations when using incognito can be highly useful!
1. When Using a Shared or Public Computer
Shared or public computers are vulnerable internet networks. If you are accessing email, social media, or banking on a public or shared device, the browser can save your passwords, cookies, and browsing history. When you leave and some other person uses the same device and opens the same pages to logging, then they can access your account in a single click. You will end up compromising your sensitive accounts. Hence, in such a situation, using incognito can save you from unwanted trouble.
Incognito mode won’t save your browsing history, cookies, or login details. Using this, you can safely login and access your sensitive accounts in places like libraries, internet cafes, workplaces, or hotels.
2. When Logging into Multiple Accounts
Google allows you only one active session per browser using one account. If you have multiple accounts, you cannot use and access them on one single browser. For that, you have to log out of one and then log in to the other. Working professionals often find it time-consuming to switch accounts on the single browsers. However, you can access multiple accounts on a single browser using incognito mode. It lets you open a second, independent session without logging out of your primary account.
3. When Shopping for Flights & Hotel Deals
Many travel websites use cookies to track your searches and automatically increase prices if they see you checking the same flight repeatedly. It happens because they can track your sessions. But you can deal with this situation simply by using the incognito mode. It ensures a fresh session without stored cookies. When you go incognito and check the price, you will get unbiased results for your searches and prices.
4. When Searching for Private or Sensitive Information
If you are searching about legal matters, personal finance or health topics then incognito mode serves you best. It prevents your personal information getting stored on your browsing history. In the anonymous mode your autofill and cookies won’t get saved on your browser and it won’t appear later in suggestions. Due to this you can prevent others accessing your sensitive accounts and online gateways when using the same websites and opening the same accounts on your browsers.
5. When Avoiding Personalized Ads & Tracking
Some websites track your online activities using cookies to show personalized ads and other things. These ads and promotions can be highly irritating and nuisance. But if you turn on private browsing the cookies do not get stored that reduces the ad tracking. As a result you do not get personalized ads and tracking.
5. When Testing Websites or Debugging Issues
If you are a web developer or a marketer and test a website to make sure it functions correctly then private browsing can save you a lot of trouble. Anonymous mode loads the site as a new user would see it without cache or cookies affecting the results. The previous cached data won’t affect the search results.
6. When Using Someone Else’s Device
Always use incognito mode if you are using a friend`s and colleagues phone or laptops to check your email or social media accounts or do internet banking. It prevents the browser from saving your login details. When you close the app and cut the tab the session automatically ends and no information is stored on your device. Along with it your login will also become a login session and will also get deleted automatically.
How to Turn on Incognito Mode?
If you are using google chrome and want to open incognito mode on it then you only have to press ‘Windows key + shift + N’ on your keyboard and it will directly open a new tab with a hat and glass icon. This is an anonymous browser in which you can privately browse the internet on a shared device and keep your online activities unknown to other users. In addition to this you can also go incognito with the following method: Open Chrome>click 3 dots (top-right)>New Incognito Window. A new window with a dark theme appears and this is your incognito mode.
Google Chrome ( In Incognito Mode )
- Open Chrome
- Press Ctrl + Shift + N (Windows)
- Or At the top right, Click 3 Dots > New Incognito window
However the anonymous mode is available in different browsers. It is known by different names and you can use it in other browsers also to keep your personal information and online activities safe on shared devices. Here is how you can turn on incognito mode in different browsers and devices:
Microsoft Edge ( InPrivate Mode )
- Open Edge
- Press Ctrl + Shift + N (Windows) or Cmd + Shift + N (Mac)
- Or, click 3 dots (top-right) > New InPrivate Window
Mozilla Firefox
- Open Firefox
- Press Ctrl + Shift + P (Windows/Linux) or Cmd + Shift + P (Mac)
- Or, click 3 lines (top-right) > New Private Window
Safari (Mac Only)
- Open Safari
- Click File > New Private Window or press Cmd + Shift + N
On Mobile (Android & iPhone/iPad)
- Google Chrome (Android & iPhone)
- Open Chrome
- Tap 3 dots (top-right) > New Incognito Tab
Microsoft Edge (Android & iPhone)
- Open Edge
- Tap 3 dots (bottom-center) > New InPrivate Tab
Mozilla Firefox (Android & iPhone)
- Open Firefox
- Tap 3 dots > New Private Tab
Safari (iPhone & iPad)
- Open Safari
- Tap Tabs button (bottom-right) → Private
- Tap “+” to open a private tab
How is VPN a Safer Option to Protect Online Privacy?
Incognito mode provides only a basic level of privacy that is limited to your device and browser activities. It does not record your online search history, cache data or cookies. But your internet service provider or websites you visit and third party agents can still record your IP address, locations and internet activities. If you want stronger privacy and security to prevent tracking, you should use a VPN (Virtual Private Network).
A VPN encrypts your internet traffic and routes it through a secure server. It makes it difficult for your ISP, websites, or third-party agents to track you. It masks your IP address and geolocation, preventing outsiders from identifying your real location. You can conveniently access restricted information on the internet from your location that is available in other countries. It creates a private server that overrides all the third parties and interceptors sitting in between. You become anonymous on the internet and securely connect to the internet without any risk of being tracked.
