Today, modern web browsers all have a mode of private navigationIts name changes depending on the browser: Private Browsing for Chrome or Firefox, InPrivate for Microsoft Edge… but that's not the point.
You might think it allows you to surf completely anonymously, but the reality is a little more nuanced... and less "private" than you might imagine.
So, if you want to know more about what private browsing mode in your browser really is, read on!
What does private browsing mode actually do?
The idea of private browsing is not new: Apple was one of the first to introduce it in Safari, back in 2005. Google followed in 2008 with the launch of Incognito mode, which has since become a must-have for Internet users concerned about their discretion.
The stated objective of this simple mode: limit the traces left during your browsingUnlike classic mode, which keeps a history of your visited sites, saves cookies and memorizes the data you enter, private mode allows you to browse without storing this information locally.
Concretely, when you open a private browsing window, your browser stops:
- to record browsing history,
- to save cookies and site data,
- to remember the information you type in online forms.
In other words, it's as if you were starting a web session with a "blank" browser, which doesn't know you yet. This is also why sites you have visited in private browsing will not be suggested in the address bar or in the history of your future sessions in normal mode.
Small detail: if you close a tab by mistake in private mode, impossible to reopen it with the shortcut Ctrl+Shift+TThe browser deliberately did not keep it in memory.
This mode is particularly useful if you share your computer with other people, if you visit dubious sites (yes, yes, you know...) or if you use multiple accounts on the same platformNo need to log out: just open a new private tab, and you can log in to another account without interfering with the previous one.
What Incognito Mode Doesn't Do (And It Matters)
A 2018 study conducted by the University of Chicago among 460 people revealed quite a few misconceptions on the subject. More than half believed that their Google searches in private browsing mode were not being recorded, even if they were logged into their Google account. 40% believed that their location was no longer being tracked. And approximately 27% were convinced that private browsing protected them from viruses or other online threats.
Spoiler alert: it's wrong.
If you're logged into an online service (like Instagram or Gmail), your actions are still traceable by these platforms, even in private browsing. The browser erases cookies and other data when the window is closed, but, as long as the session is open, this information is indeed collected.
For example, if you search for “ Digital Photo Frame » during an incognito session and you have Instagram open in another tab, it's very possible that you'll see ads for photo frames appear on your feed shortly after. third-party cookies are sometimes responsible for these overlaps.
Some browsers allow you to block these third-party cookies, but this method is not completely reliable. And above all, it is important to keep this in mind: your internet service provider can still see the sites you visit, even in private browsing.
Another important point, private browsing does not protect you against malwares or the cyber attacksIt's a persistent myth, but even in incognito mode, you have to be very careful about the sites you visit!
Finally, also pay attention to the extensions that you install. Some may continue to track your activity even in private mode. In Chrome, you can check if an extension has this permission by going to the menu Extensions > Manage Extensions then, for each installed extension, click on Details and deactivate Allow in private browsing.
How to enable private browsing mode depending on your browser
Although the names vary from browser to browser, the principle remains the same. Here's how to enable it on most popular browsers:
- Google Chrome : Click on the three small dots at the top right, then on “New private browsing window”. You can also use the shortcut Ctrl + Shift + N.
- Mozilla Firefox : Click on the icon with three lines (the “hamburger” menu) and choose “New Private Window”. The shortcut is Ctrl+Shift+P.
- Microsoft Edge : Tap the three dots in the top right corner, then select “New InPrivate Window.” Same shortcut as Chrome: Ctrl + Shift + N.
In summary, Incognito mode helps you keep your local activity discreet, but he does not make you invisible on the internet. It is useful, but limited. To go further, consider using a VPN, disable third-party cookies, or switch to a privacy-centric browser.
