Incognito Mode: What it does, what it doesn’t do, and why it matters

Incognito mode is a useful tool but does not equal complete anonymity.

What Is Incognito Mode?

Incognito mode is a private browsing feature found in most modern web browsers. It prevents your browsing history, cookies, and site data from being stored on your device during a session. However, it’s important to note that incognito mode does not make you anonymous online. While it helps keep your activity private from others using the same device, your internet service provider (ISP), websites, and network administrators can still track your online activity.

Key Features

• Temporary browsing sessions: Once you close an incognito window, your browsing history, cookies, and cached data are automatically deleted.

• Isolation of cookies and cache: Prevents websites from accessing cookies stored from previous sessions, making it useful for testing or multiple logins.

• Local privacy benefits: Ensures that others who use your device cannot see your browsing activity.

Common Misconceptions

Incognito mode does not equal complete anonymity. Keep in mind that it doesn’t hide your IP address or encrypt your internet traffic. You are still visible to websites, ISPs, and governments. Websites can still track your activity through various means, including fingerprinting and IP logging.

What Is Fingerprinting?

 This tracking technique is used by websites to identify users based on unique characteristics of their device and browser. Instead of relying on cookies, fingerprinting collects data like browser type, operating system, screen resolution, installed plugins, and other system details to create a unique profile. This allows websites to track users even in incognito mode, making it a more persistent method of online tracking.

How Does Incognito Mode Work?

Incognito mode creates a temporary browsing session that doesn’t store your history, cookies, or cache data once the window is closed. When you open an incognito window, it operates separately from your main browser session, meaning previously saved cookies and login credentials aren’t accessible. Temporary data such as cookies or browsing history are moved to your PC’s random-access memory (RAM) rather than to your device’s hard drive.

While browsing, this temporary data may be used, but when you close the incognito window, the whole session is deleted, and all the data are wiped out. 

What temporary data are erased:

•           cookies

• browsing history

• download history

• website login info

• given website permissions

• search queries

This primarily makes Incognito Mode a tool for local privacy (at the device-level), but it doesn’t make you completely anonymous. All the data are still visible to the outside world since it doesn’t hide your IP address, encrypt your internet traffic, or stop websites, ISPs, and network administrators from tracking your activity. 

What it does and doesn’t do

Again, Incognito mode is a useful tool for maintaining local privacy while browsing, but it is often mistaken for a security solution. While it does prevent certain data from being stored on your device, it doesn’t provide full anonymity or encryption. The table below highlights what Incognito mode can and can’t do, helping users understand its benefits and limitations.

WHAT IT DOES	WHAT IT DOESN'T DO
Prevents local storage of browsing data	Hides your IP address
Reduces the risk of leaving traces on shared or public computers	Encrypts your data
Allows multiple account logins on one device at the same time	ISP and websites can still track your location and browsing habits

Browser Variations

Different browsers offer incognito-like modes with slight variations:

• Google Chrome – Incognito Mode: Standard private browsing mode

• Mozilla Firefox – Private Browsing Mode: Includes tracking protection

• Safari – Private Browsing: Blocks some trackers by default

• Microsoft Edge – InPrivate Mode: Similar functionality with added security features

Benefits and limitations of Incognito Mode

The table below outlines the key advantages and drawbacks of using Incognito mode.

BENEFITS	LIMITATIONS
Enhanced local privacy: Prevents browser history from being saved.	Not a true anonymity tool: Doesn’t mask your identity or prevent external tracking. This only affects browser data, not apps or network activity.
Useful for sensitive searches: Avoids storing information that could be seen by others using the same device.	No protection against malware: Incognito mode does not provide protection against cyber threats.
Testing and multiple logins: Helps users log into multiple accounts simultaneously without interference from cookies.	Session data are still accessible while open: If someone gains access to your device while an incognito window is open, they can still see your activity.

Real-World Use Cases

Incognito mode is more than just a way to browse more privately – it does serve several practical purposes in everyday online activities. While it has its limitations, there are many real-world use cases where you might want to use incognito mode:

• Logging into different accounts: A quick way to access two email or social media accounts at once.

• Browsing on public or shared computers: Ensures that personal browsing history is not left behind.

• Researching without influencing recommendations: Avoids personalized results based on past searches.

Additional Privacy Tools

While Incognito mode helps protect local privacy, it does not offer complete online security or anonymity. To enhance your privacy and security, consider using these additional tools:

• VPNs (Virtual Private Networks): Encrypt internet traffic and mask your IP address.

• Privacy-focused browsers: Use browsers and plugins which block trackers by default.

• Private search engines: DuckDuckGo and Startpage do not track search activity.

Best Practices for Private Browsing

While Incognito mode provides some level of privacy by preventing local storage of browsing history and cookies, it does not offer complete anonymity or protection from online tracking. The following best practices will help you maximize your protection while browsing the web:

• Clear your cookies and cache regularly to remove stored tracking data

• Use browser extension to block tracking and malicious scripts, such as uBlock Origin, Privacy Badger, or NoScript

• Remember downloaded browser extensions need to be enabled for Incognito Mode

• Enable HTTPS everywhere to ensure a secure connection when browsing websites

• Use a VPN in combination with Incognito mode for an extra layer of security

• Consider products that enhance your anonymity online such as ESET Home Security Ultimate which features Safe Banking & Browsing, Secure Search, Website Settings Review, Browser Cleanup, Browser privacy and security and many more

Expert Tips and Insights

“For many users, enabling incognito mode in a browser seems like a significant boost to their privacy and security. In reality, apart from minor improvements to local privacy - such as not storing browsing history or cookies on the device - incognito mode does very little to enhance overall protection. While it can limit the window of opportunity for certain attacks - like session hijacking or cookie theft - malicious software already present on a device, including spyware, keyloggers, and information-stealing malware, remains entirely unaffected. In other words, the attackers are looking at your device’s screen and incognito mode does not stand in their way. Similarly, threats that intercept or manipulate network traffic at the network or ISP level, such as adversary-in-the-middle attacks, remain just as potent whether a user is in incognito mode or not.”

-          Ondrej Kubovič, Security Awareness Specialist

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Incognito Mode completely private?

No, Incognito mode only prevents local storage of temporary data such as browsing history and cookies. Your ISP, employer, and websites you visit can still track your activity.

Can websites still track me if I’m using Incognito Mode?

Yes, websites can use tracking methods like fingerprinting and IP logging to monitor your activity, even in Incognito mode.

How do I activate Incognito Mode on different browsers?

• Google Chrome: Press Ctrl + Shift + N (Windows) or Cmd + Shift + N (Mac)

• Firefox: Press Ctrl + Shift + P (Windows) or Cmd + Shift + P (Mac)

• Safari: Go to File > New Private Window

• Microsoft Edge: Press Ctrl + Shift + N

What additional steps should I take for enhanced online privacy?

Use a combination of privacy-focused tools, such as VPNs, secure browsers, and private search engines, and regularly clear stored browsing data. Consider comprehensive security solutions such as ESET Home Security Ultimate offering powerful features including unlimited VPN, Safe Banking, Safe Browsing and Browser Privacy & Security, providing robust protection for your online activities. By following these best practices and utilizing solutions like ESET Home Security Ultimate, you can significantly enhance your online privacy and security.