NEW YORK (AP) — Although a private browsing mode known as “Incognito” in Google’s widely used Chrome browser has been available for nearly a decade, a legal settlement involving the way it works has cast new attention on this commonly available setting.
The settlement disclosed Monday in a federal court is primarily designed to ensure that users who use Incognito mode in Chrome get more privacy while surfing the internet than they had been previously.
Although Google isn’t paying any money to consumers, the lawyers who filed the case in June 2020 believe the stricter safeguards will be worth $4.75 billion to $7.8 billion, based on the estimated value of the personal information protected by the settlement.
Nearly every major browser now has a private browsing mode. Here’s a look at what they do and don’t do for surfers.
What private browsing actually does
When you turn on your browser’s private mode, think of it as a fresh start.
So all of the advantages of browser personalization won’t be there: No suggestions based on your history, autocomplete will be largely unavailable and you will have to sign into your accounts.
As soon as you close your incognito window, your internet browser wipes the browsing history and any cookies that have been created during that session, according to the Mozilla Foundation, meaning -- locally to your device — your browser won’t remember where you’ve been or store any information you filled into any forms.
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This kind of experience does have its uses. For example, making sure searches on more sensitive topics, like health care, don’t show up in your browsing history (which may invite related ads to start showing up). Or perhaps you’d like added protection when surfing — or logging onto accounts — on public computers, like at the library or a hotel business center.
What private browsing doesn’t do
Remember that the point of a private browsing mode is not to cover the fact that you visited a website but to cover the fact that you visited that site from your device.
Incognito modes generally do not prevent the websites you visit from seeing your location, via your IP address, or stop your internet service provider from logging your activities. As long as your IP address is visible, the Mozilla Foundation says your identity and activity remain fully exposed to search engines and third parties — think advertisers — regardless of what mode your browsing in.
To illustrate this point, Google recently agreed to purge billions of records containing personal information collected from people using incognito mode to surf the internet as part of a settlement over a lawsuit accusing the search giant of illegal surveillance. It also has to be make more prominent privacy disclosures in its terms of service to let people know about its data collection efforts.
Google will also be required to set up Incognito mode so users will be able to automatically block “cookies” that enable third parties to track them during the next five years if a federal judge approves the settlement after a court hearing scheduled July 30.
And any files you may download or bookmarks you create during a private session are not wiped at the end of your session, meaning you are still susceptible to computer viruses, malware and keystroke loggers.
Are there options for more private browsing?
A virtual private network can run interference for your IP address, making it harder for sites to track you. But the use of VPNs also raises additional security questions, especially for users who go with a free or cheap VPN provider they haven’t carefully vetted.
Some search engines like DuckDuckGo are more privacy focused and have pledged to never collect personal information or track people entering queries on its site. And certain browsers like Tor are designed to make it more difficult for third-party trackers and advertisers to track you.
Even with all of these options, just remember that it’s unlikely that you’re truly anonymous online.
FAQs
Is incognito mode safe? The terms “private search” and “incognito mode” sound great. But while your history is erased on your device, it's still visible to the outside world. Even when you're in incognito mode, websites, your ISP, and your network can still see your IP address and browsing history.
Can you still get viruses in incognito mode? ›
In addition, incognito mode does not protect you against cyberattacks such as phishing, malware, or viruses. If you already have spyware installed on your device, it can still track your activity and steal sensitive information, even in incognito mode.
What is more safer than incognito mode? ›
A VPN is better than incognito mode because it encrypts all of your web activity data and device IP address from everyone except the VPN provider itself, including your internet service provider (ISP).
Can the FBI see my search history incognito? ›
The FBI, the government, your internet service provider (ISP), the websites you visit, and even your employer can still see and track your browsing activities when you browse in Incognito mode. Incognito mode can't protect your data from these organizations. Incognito mode isn't totally worthless, however.
Does incognito spy on you? ›
Unfortunately, incognito mode can be tracked. When using this browsing mode, the only advantage is that you won't have to delete your browser history. Your internet service provider (ISP), the browser provider, and the website can see what you are doing online.
Can I be tracked if I use incognito mode? ›
Incognito mode doesn't prevent web tracking
Personal information like your device's IP address and what you're doing on a website (especially while logged in) is visible to others around the web who might be tracking you online.
Can police track incognito mode? ›
If you are already charged with a crime, your browser data (including your search history) can be subpoenaed by the prosecution. For instance, your internet history can be used against you to establish a motive for a crime or that you had the knowledge to commit a crime – even if you were browsing in “private” mode.
Can anyone see my incognito history? ›
In Incognito, none of your browsing history, cookies and site data, or information entered in forms are saved on your device. This means your activity doesn't show up in your Chrome browser history, so people who also use your device won't see your activity.
Can incognito history be seen in a WiFi bill? ›
Yes. An incognito browser only hides searches from the local device it is installed on. The WiFi owner has access to the admin panel from the WiFi router, meaning they can see the browsing information performed on their WiFi network. Additionally, your ISP can also see all traffic, regardless of the browser being used.
Is it wrong to use incognito mode? ›
Incognito mode does not hide your IP address, doesn't prevent your activity from being tracked by third parties online, and it doesn't protect you from malware. Your information is still exposed, even while private browsing in Chrome.
Yes, you can access the dark web in incognito mode. However, this does not provide any extra security for your device or information. Incognito mode only prevents the browser from storing history and cookies; your IP address and other details are still visible to anyone on the network.
Which browser is 100% untraceable? ›
Tor Browser
The Tor (it stands for the onion router) browser's slogan is, “Protect yourself against tracking, surveillance, and censorship.” It's the ultimate in privacy protection in a browser, and the EFF's privacy test reports “strong protection against Web tracking.”
What does incognito not protect? ›
Incognito modes generally do not prevent the websites you visit from seeing your location, via your IP address, or stop your internet service provider from logging your activities.
Which browser has 100% privacy? ›
Endorsed by Edward Snowden, Tor is arguably the best known privacy-focused browser. It prevents unauthorized snooping with the help of its built-in hidden relay servers, comes with pre-configured security features, and can run from a USB flash drive.
Is incognito mode completely private? ›
In Incognito, none of your browsing history, cookies and site data, or information entered in forms are saved on your device. This means your activity doesn't show up in your Chrome browser history, so people who also use your device won't see your activity.
Can a WiFi owner see what sites I visited incognito? ›
Yes. An incognito browser only hides searches from the local device it is installed on. The WiFi owner has access to the admin panel from the WiFi router, meaning they can see the browsing information performed on their WiFi network. Additionally, your ISP can also see all traffic, regardless of the browser being used.
