What is Incognito Mode? How It Works and When to Use It

Incognito mode is a special browsing feature available in most web browsers that allows users to browse the internet privately. When you use incognito mode, your browser does not save your browsing history, cookies, site data, or form inputs once you close the Private window. This makes it useful for people who want to keep their browsing activities private, especially when using shared or public computers.

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Features of Incognito Mode

Your browser does not save the websites Browsing History
Once you close the incognito window, cookies and site data are deleted.
entered login Information in website is not stored.
You can log into Multiple Sessions on the same website at once.
Limited Tracking Protection, but websites and ISPs can still monitor activity.
Your normal browsing history and data remain unaffected.
Some browser extensions may be turned off for privacy.
Private Browsing supports Multiple Browsers & Devices

How Does Incognito Mode Work?

Incognito mode works by preventing your web browser from saving your browsing history, cookies, and site data after you close the window. When you open an incognito tab, the browser creates a temporary session that does not store information such as login informations or search history. However, while your activity is hidden from others using the same device, it is visible to your Internet service provider (ISP), network administrators (such as your employer or school), and the websites you visit. Private mode is useful for private browsing, but it does not provide complete anonymity or protect you from online tracking.

How to Use Incognito Mode on Different Browsers

Enabling Private Browsing is simple and varies slightly depending on the browser you are using. Here’s how you can do it:

Google Chrome

Open Google Chrome.
Press Ctrl + Shift + N (Windows/Linux) or Cmd + Shift + N (Mac).
Alternatively, click on the three-dot menu (⁝) in the top-right corner and select New Incognito Window.

Mozilla Firefox

Open Mozilla Firefox.
Press Ctrl + Shift + P (Windows/Linux) or Cmd + Shift + P (Mac).
Alternatively, click on the menu (three lines) and select New Private Window.

Microsoft Edge

Open Microsoft Edge.
Press Ctrl + Shift + N (Windows/Linux) or Cmd + Shift + N (Mac).
Alternatively, click on the menu (three dots) and select New InPrivate Window.

Safari (Mac & iPhone)

Open Safari.
Click File > New Private Window (Mac).
On iPhone/iPad, open Safari and tap on Tabs icon, then select Private.

Opera

Open Opera.
Press Ctrl + Shift + N (Windows/Linux) or Cmd + Shift + N (Mac).
Click on the Opera menu and select New Private Window.

Limitations of Incognito Mode

ISP, employer, or government agencies can still track your online activities.
Incognito Mode Does Not Hide IP Address To completely hide your identity, you need a VPN.
Although the download history is cleared, the files remain.
Any bookmarks you create in Incognito Mode stay even after closing the window.
Incognito Mode does Does Not Protect from Malware or viruses.
Websites you visit can still see your activity, and network administrators can track you

Incognito Mode vs. Regular Browsing

Feature	Incognito Mode	Regular Browsing
Browsing History	Not saved	Saved
Cookies & Site Data	Deleted after session	Stored for future use
Saved Passwords	Not saved	Can be saved
Tracking by Websites	Limited (but not fully private)	Websites track user activity
Extensions	Usually disabled	Enabled
Auto-fill Information	Not stored	Stored for future use
Download History	Not saved	Saved
Bookmarks	Can be saved	Can be saved
Protection from ISP Tracking	No	No
Login Sessions	Ends after closing	Stays logged in
Ads Personalization	Limited tracking	Personalized ads based on history
Security Against Malware	No extra protection	No extra protection
Best Used For	Private sessions, multiple logins	Normal browsing with saved data

Conclusion

Incognito mode is a great tool for maintaining privacy while browsing. However, it is not a complete solution for anonymity. It is useful for preventing browser history from being saved and avoiding tracking by cookies, but your ISP and websites can still track your activities. For better online privacy, consider using a VPN, privacy-focused browsers, and additional security measures. Understanding how incognito mode works can help you browse safely and protect your personal information.

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