Incognito mode, also known as private browsing, is a privacy feature offered in most web browsers. It allows the user to browse the internet without saving any local data such as history, temporary files, and cookies. This means that any websites visited, files downloaded, and search terms used will not be recorded on the user's device, and will not be visible to other people using the same device.
When in incognito mode, the browser also disables features like auto-fill of form data and password saving, so that this information is not saved on the device. Additionally, in most browsers, incognito mode does not prevent websites from tracking the user's internet activity or collecting data such as IP addresses and location information.
It's important to note that while incognito mode provides some level of privacy, it is not a guarantee of complete anonymity. Websites visited, internet service providers, and employers may still be able to see what a user does online, even in incognito mode.
Does Incognito Mode hide our IP Address?
No, the incognito mode does not hide your IP address. Your IP address is a unique identifier assigned to your device by your Internet Service Provider (ISP) that allows websites to know where requests are coming from. When you use incognito mode, your browser does not save your browsing history or other data, but your IP address is still visible to websites you visit and your ISP.
Your IP address can reveal information about your location, and it can also be used to track your online activities. If you want to hide your IP address, you need to use a Virtual Private Network (VPN) service, which encrypts your internet traffic and routes it through a server in a different location, giving you a new, anonymous IP address.
Features of Incognito Mode
Here are the key features and functionality of incognito mode in web browsers:
- No history: Incognito mode does not save the browsing history, so websites visited and search terms used will not be recorded on the device.
- Temporary files and cookies: Files downloaded and cookies created while in incognito mode are automatically deleted when the user closes the private browsing window.
- Auto-fill and password saving: Incognito mode disables the auto-fill of form data and password saving so that this information is not saved on the device.
- No search suggestions: In most browsers, search suggestions are also not saved in incognito mode.
- No local data: Incognito mode does not save any local data, such as cache, form data, or temporary files.
- No extension tracking: Incognito mode also disables the use of browser extensions, preventing them from tracking your activities.
IP address visibility: Incognito mode does not hide your IP address, so your internet service provider and the websites you visit can still see your online activities.
It's important to note that while incognito mode provides some level of privacy, it is not a guarantee of complete anonymity. Websites, internet service providers, and employers may still be able to see what a user does online, even in incognito mode.
How to turn On Incognito Mode?
Here's how you can turn on incognito mode in some popular web browsers:
Google Chrome: Click the three dots in the top-right corner of the browser window, then select "New incognito window" or press Ctrl + Shift + N (Windows) or Cmd + Shift + N (Mac).
Mozilla Firefox: Click the three horizontal lines in the top-right corner of the browser window, then select "New Private Window" or press Ctrl + Shift + P (Windows) or Cmd + Shift + P (Mac).
Microsoft Edge: Click the three dots in the top-right corner of the browser window, then select "New InPrivate window" or press Ctrl + Shift + P.
Apple Safari: Click the "File" menu in the top-left corner of the browser window, then select "New Private Window" or press Cmd + Shift + N.
Note: The steps to turn on incognito mode may slightly vary based on the browser version you're using.