What Does Incognito Mode Do?

Every day, millions of people use browsers like Google Chrome, FireFox and Safari to search the internet. Out of those millions of people, a fair portion use incognito mode in an attempt to maintain their privacy and stay safe on the internet, even if this is not what incognito was created to do. Incognito mode is generally safe to use, but it’s important to understand that it will not keep you protected against cyber threats and online scams. 

While there is no harm in using incognito mode, it’s important to understand what it was created to do, which is to keep your local browsing private.

Continue reading to learn what incognito mode does and doesn’t do, and how you can actually browse the internet privately. 

What is incognito mode?

Incognito mode, also known as private browsing, is a browsing mode that can be turned on and off within browsers. Many people use incognito mode so their search history and web browsing history aren’t saved. However, it’s important to note that even if your history isn’t saved in your browser, third parties will still be able to see it. 

There’s nothing unsafe about turning incognito mode on, so feel free to enable it whenever you’d like. But be cautious of its true capabilities, as they might not be what you think they are. There are many misconceptions when it comes to what incognito mode does and doesn’t do, so let’s go over two of the most common misconceptions.

What incognito mode does

Here are a few of the things that incognito mode actually does when it’s switched on.

Stops browser from saving your browsing history and search queries 

The websites you visit are never saved in your browser’s history when incognito mode is on. However, that doesn’t mean they’re invisible to third parties. Third parties such as your work or ISP can still see the websites you’ve visited and the things you’ve searched for while incognito mode is on. But that doesn’t mean it’s completely unuseful. 

Incognito mode is useful when you don’t want your browsing or search history to be viewable by other people with physical access to your computer or phone. For example, let’s say you wanted to book a surprise trip for your mom. When booking the flight and hotel, use incognito mode to prevent your mom from finding out your secret plan. 

Erases cookies and site data

When you close incognito mode after browsing and searching around the internet, your cookies and site data are erased. Cookies are small files of data that are created by a web server to identify your device. This data is then sent to your browser and is used to track websites you visit, as well as sites you’ve returned to. When you return to a site you visited in incognito mode, the site won’t recognize you as a returning visitor. 

Logs you out of accounts

If you log in to one of your accounts while using incognito or fill out an online form, none of that information will be saved when you close your browser’s window. This makes incognito mode extremely helpful when you’re borrowing someone else’s computer or using a shared computer, like in a library or at work. 

What incognito mode does not do

Here are a few things that incognito mode does not do when switched on.

Hide your location

Unless you use a Virtual Private Network (VPN) to hide your IP address, anyone can track down your location including websites, cybercriminals and other third parties. Incognito mode makes no difference when it comes to your location.

Mask your IP address

Incognito mode in no way prevents websites or cybercriminals from seeing your IP address, so even with it switched on, anyone can still see your IP address if they want to.

Keep you protected from cyber attacks

It’s important to remember that incognito mode is not a cybersecurity solution. With incognito mode on, you are still just as likely to be targeted by cybercriminals in an attempt to compromise your accounts or steal your sensitive information, as you are with it off. 

Prevent third parties from seeing what you do

Third parties can still see what you’re doing on your browsers without any issue. For example, if you log into Facebook from an incognito tab, your ISP will know what you did, and Facebook will still have access to some of your data.

Even though your browsing history and cookies will be deleted once you close out of the incognito window, your data can still be traced back to you. These days, websites have access to sophisticated tools, like browser fingerprinting, that allow them to link your activity to your real identity even when you’re using incognito mode.

Keep in mind that you need to be especially careful when you’re using the internet at work or school. Many schools and companies have additional tracking software that allows them to see what you’re doing, whether you’re using incognito mode or not. For this reason, you shouldn’t do anything you want to keep private on a work or school computer.

Incognito mode misconceptions

Here are two misconceptions when it comes to using incognito mode.

Internet Service Providers (ISPs) won’t be able to see what you search

One of the biggest misconceptions about using incognito mode on your browser is that it’ll prevent anyone and everyone from seeing what you’ve searched or sites you’ve visited. This is not true. Your search and browsing history is only erased from your browser. This means your ISP, work or school will still be able to see the websites you’ve visited and things you’ve searched when connected to their network or when using their devices.

Incognito mode can protect you against cyber threats

Another common misconception about incognito mode is that it acts as protection against cyber threats. This is also not true. You’re still as vulnerable to cyber attacks when using incognito mode as you are when searching normally. The only true way to protect yourself when browsing online is by implementing cybersecurity best practices.

How can I actually browse privately?

There is no absolute guarantee that you will have complete privacy when browsing online since backdoors and vulnerabilities are being discovered every day, so there is always a risk when you surf the web. But one thing you can do when trying to browse privately is use a virtual private network.

A VPN encrypts your data and protects your online identity by masking your IP address. When you use a VPN, your traffic is redirected through a secure, encrypted connection on a separate server. Essentially, your ISP will see that you’ve connected to a VPN, but everything after that will be private. For example, when you visit a website, your IP address will show up as your VPN’s IP, not your own. This prevents websites from seeing who you are in most cases. 

The internet can be a treacherous place, and incognito mode doesn’t do much to protect your privacy. If you want to browse the internet privately, the best thing you can do is invest in a VPN.