No system is safe from security risks as Incognito mode provides zero defense against malware, viruses, or phishing attacks, meaning users still theoretically download malware onto their devices.
What is Incognito Mode?
An internet browser with a private window allows users to explore the web privately, with the option of not saving their browsing history. Simply put, it is a web browser setting permitting the user to use the undercover internet mode, so no one can see the sites and brands searched.
By releasing local data from online browsing sessions, it becomes active. It blocks all the cookies from tracking their browsing.
How does Incognito works?
When users use Incognito mode to browse the Internet, all landing pages treat them as brand-new visitors. Websites do not track visitor data, so they do not create cookies, login information, or pre-filled web forms.
If users do not login into their account in incognito mode, none of this tracking happens. But all their data will be saved by cookies once the user logs into the session. Hence, it will offer websites and advertisers to identify users’ data while signing in. With incognito mode, and no digital footprints are left, no matter what user browses, what account is logging into, or what bank details they have once the session ends.
The incognito mode in chrome offers browsers to enable the third-party cookies option else; it will be blocked by default. These cookies blocking options target fewer browser ads but also strike certain visited websites’ functionality.
Why use Incognito Mode?
The incognito option treats users on each page as “new visitors.” Reasons to use Incognito mode-
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To ignore saved cookies
In incognito mode, websites that the user is surfing don’t register the login information; henceforth, it allows for multiple sign-ins simultaneously.
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Hidden Search History
Even if the search engines can look at the search history, no other person can access the user’s device in incognito mode.
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Protection from tracking
The incognito mode protects users’ online activity from being traced and offers a few targeted ads and suggestions that do not require personal login.
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Guest Hosting
Users can surf the Internet without login requirements.
What does Incognito mode do?
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No saved browsing history
No tracking browsing history blocks data used by websites to recognize the visitors’ information and offers a better online experience. These cookies erase options from the devices and trick the websites and advertisers from identifying and tracking users’ activity. This ensures:
Fewer Ads.: no targeted advertising or other pop-ups appear after the session ends.
Better Deals assures better prices in hotels and airfares that could be higher on the regular browsers as per the geolocation or the repeatedly visiting process.
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No additions of third-party
Keeps third-party extras like toolbars and extensions disabled by default to improve browsing speed and privacy and prevent extension-related bugs.
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Automated logout
The incognito mode doesn’t expose sensitive details to the following user on the same device. It logouts automatically once the session ends, preventing the earlier accounts’ details from exposure.
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Multiple account login
Other than securing the login details from the following user, the incognito mode also offers convenience for the users, as they don’t have to log out from the previous account before browsing.
Does Incognito trace IP Address?
The hiding search history capability in incognito mode cannot mask the IP address of the devices, which is a strong identity of the device online. Thus, the incognito mode cannot secure IP Addresses from being tracked, and the geolocation will still be visible in Incognito mode that causes tracing of country, zip code, ISP, and city.
VPN is the option left for users who want to ensure the security of their IP Addresses & internet activity from others.
Is Incognito Safe as It Sounds?
To some extent, using Incognito mode is safe, but the secure assurance comes with some clear rules to follow, and only then is it a safe hiding place for users surfing.
For more secure assurance, browsers can use VPN. A Virtual Private Network (VPN) is a private server that connects to the Internet at the user’s disposal. It prevents websites from accessing the IP address, enhancing their general browsing privacy. It allows them to spoof the location anywhere where the user’s VPN has servers.
The first and most significant drawback of incognito mode is that users must turn it on whenever they browse. Yes, it would help if they started a new window for it whether they are using Firefox’s Private Browsing mode or Chrome’s Incognito mode. As a result, users will leave history traces if they neglect to click on the specific window. Therefore, users must remove all locally stored data, including cookies, passwords, and history. If they don’t, the browser history will be visible to everyone.
A virtual private network offers more privacy than users’ browser’s Incognito mode, showing that private browsing mode can only mask their behavior at the browser level instead of using a VPN.
Although the incognito mode can hide the browsing activity for the current session, the ISP or government can still easily monitor these browsing habits.
A virtual private network is the best and safest practice to mask users’ browsing activity at all levels.
Advertisers can monitor users’ activity even in an incognito mode more frequently. They can search and see which websites users visit. For instance, if a user is browsing some e-commerce site for a night party dress, they will notice advertisements on every website they browse. Therefore, there is no use using Incognito mode to avoid advertisers because they will still locate the user.
Also Read: Five Front-end Website Challenges for Developers and Organizations
Final Thoughts
To a certain extent, incognito mode is safe and serves as a more private browsing route. Unless the user saves the personal logins on that browsing session but cannot secure the user’s IP address from being traced, it does not recognize the browsing history. It shows a visitor as a new visitor on many websites.
Although browsing the Internet in incognito mode enhances visitors’ privacy and security, it doesn’t entirely deter them from being chased. Instead, all it performs is detour information about visited websites from being saved.
When users enter their Google account in incognito mode and search, it records user search history until users deactivate the google web history tracking.
Also, as per methods, websites that track details about the users while they browse may still be able to do so. For instance, consider that the Internet provider follows what pages a user visits. In that case, it will be able to do so whether users utilize Incognito mode or not, as well as viruses, keyloggers, and other malicious programs.
