Issues with Browser's Incognito Mode and Security Implications
Imma spill the beans on that ol' incognito mode you've been usin'. Sure, it hides ya tracks on your device, but it ain't no guarantee of full-on privacy. Here are 6 bummers about using incognito mode, so you know what to expect. But first, let's clarify what this incognito biz is all about.
Incognito for Dummies:Incognito mode is like the right-hand man for some private detectives. It hides your online activities from people who might snoop around on your device, 'cause it won't save your browser history. Once the session ends, it erases all cookies, leaving fewer traces of ya goin' to a particular website.
Now, let's dive into the downsides of incognito mode:
- You gotta keep pressing that secret button. Yep, every time you wanna surf with incognito mode, ya gotta activate it, or ya might leave those history traces after all.
- Some priva-cy just ain't guaranteed. Incognito ain't gonna protect ya like a VPN (Virtual Private Network) would. It hides ya activity within the browser level, but your ISP or the government can still see what ya up to. A VPN encrypts your info and masks your IP address, making it more challenging for 'em to track ya.
- It don't hide ya tabs. If ya gotta leave ya pc and wanna save ya open tabs for when ya get back, think again. Incognito ain't gonna remember 'em, so ya gotta close 'em before ya leave.
- It's all about the fingerprint. Even though ya ain't signin' in anywhere, websites can still piece together info like ya browser, IP address, device type, and more to figure out who you are. That's called "fingerprinting," and it's a fancier way of online trackin'.
- Third-party trackers can still see ya. Incognito won't save ya from being tracked by your internet service provider, employer, government, or even a hacker. They can see ya doin' online, even if ya downloaded files ain't saved.
- Advertisers still find ya. Even if ya use incognito more frequently, advertisers can still track ya. They can see what websites ya visit, scour for stuff ya looking at, and show ya advertisements related to that. So, there's no point in using incognito to avoid advertisers.
So, how to browse anonymously on ya pc (Mac or PC) and mobile devices?
- Google Chrome
- Click the three-dot icon in the top-right corner, then select “New Incognito window”
- Or press Ctrl + Shift + N on PC or Command + Shift + N on macOS for the shortcut
- Mozilla Firefox
- Click the three vertical lines, then select “New private window”
- Microsoft Edge’s “InPrivate” browsing mode
- Navigate to the top-right corner, click the three-dot icon, then select “New InPrivate window”
- Safari
- Go to the top-left corner, select “File,” then pick “New Private Window”
- On Android:
- Launch Google Chrome, then tap the three-dot icon in the top-right corner, then choose “New Incognito Tab”
- On iPhone:
- Open Safari, tap the tabs icon (two overlapping squares), then tap “Private”
Remember to be careful with sensitive data online, and use other methods to ensure privacy such as VPNs, Tor browser, and setting privacy preferences in your browser.
- Even though incognito mode on your smartphones or gadgets helps hide your browsing history, it doesn't protect against all forms of online tracking, like your fingerprint or third-party trackers.
- Smartphone users who are keen on browsing anonymously can enable incognito mode using Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Edge, Safari, or other browsers, but it's recommended to also consider additional security measures such as VPNs, Tor browser, and personal browser settings for enhanced digital privacy.