Users working on a shared computer can keep their personal browsing history hidden from other workers primarily by operating the web browser in private browsing mode (such as Chrome's Incognito, Firefox's Private Browsing, or Edge's InPrivate). This mode prevents the browser from saving browsing history, cookies, and temporary files after the session ends, so no trace of the browsing session remains on the computer once the private window is closed. Additional tips include:
- Using only encrypted connections (HTTPS) to secure data transmitted between the browser and websites, though this does not hide history on the local device.
- Rebooting the computer after closing the browser to clear temporary files, although this is not foolproof for removing all traces.
- Moving any downloaded files to the recycle bin or securely deleting them to prevent access by others.
The most effective method is to always use private browsing mode for hiding local browsing history from others on the same computer.
