Incognito mode, also known as private browsing or private mode, is a feature in most web browsers that allows you to browse the internet without saving your browsing history, cookies, site data, or form inputs on your device. When you use incognito mode, the browser creates a temporary session separate from your regular browsing session, and once you close the incognito window, all data related to that session-such as history, cookies, and cached files-is deleted from your device
. The main purpose of incognito mode is to keep your browsing activity private from other users of the same device. For example, if you share a computer, others won’t be able to see the websites you visited or access your login sessions after you close the incognito window
. It also allows you to log into multiple accounts on the same site simultaneously and browse without browser extensions interfering
. However, incognito mode does not make you invisible on the internet. Your internet service provider (ISP), employer, school, or the websites you visit can still track your activity. It also does not protect you from malware or hide your IP address. For stronger privacy online, additional tools like VPNs are needed
. In summary, incognito mode:
- Prevents your browser from saving browsing history, cookies, and site data locally.
- Keeps your browsing private from other users on the same device.
- Does not hide your activity from ISPs, websites, or network administrators.
- Does not provide full anonymity or protection from online tracking
To activate incognito mode, you typically open a new incognito or private window from your browser’s menu or use keyboard shortcuts such as Ctrl+Shift+N (Windows) or Command+Shift+N (Mac) in Chrome
