Opening the new incognito window in a web browser seems like having an invisibility cloak from Harry Potter universe. Yet, there are several limitations of this function which make it quite useless. One may want to hide his search results before surprising someone with a present or not to reveal his embarrassing music tastes to anybody. While this function is helpful for a particular task, it can hardly be considered as an ultimate privacy tool. It is similar to the pair of sunglasses worn indoors – mysterious, yet obvious.
Once clicked "New Incognito Window" in Google Chrome or "New Private Window" in Safari, the browser resets itself temporarily. It creates a sandbox where all cookies and site data are deleted once the window is closed. This function makes it easy to log into a second Discord account without the necessity to log out from the first one. Thus, it is helpful for some particular tasks where one wants to have a fresh start.
Additionally, the browser does not keep any local history, which is why people like this option. There is no way for other people to trace the searches concerning how to unblock a toilet in the borrowed laptop. This function cleans up the local machine making it a self-destructed message about the browsing history. Yet, the data still remains in the cloud, however, not on the user's computer anymore.
Here comes the truth which nobody likes to hear. This mode of the web browser does not hide any browsing activity from school administration and Internet service provider. As soon as the person uses the school Wi-Fi to browse Reddit during classes, the network administrator gets all information about this activity. He or she might not be able to get the content of this post, but he knows the domain of it.
The Internet service provider such as Comcast or Verizon keeps a record of every IP address which is requested by the user, independent on the browser mode. The browser is like a notebook which can be deleted, while the Internet provider keeps the information in a vault forever. So, if the person wants to hide something, this private browsing mode will not help him to do it. The person will need to use the Virtual Private Network to disguise his traffic.
As it was already said, websites themselves keep the server logs. Once a person signs in to Amazon or Netflix in the Private Mode, the website is aware of who it is. The websites keep the IP address, device fingerprint and login credentials of the user. In other words, a person is not an anonymous user of it; he is a client of it who will delete the local cookies afterwards.
The most dangerous thing about this function is the false sense of security which it provides to high school students. The people think "private" means "invisible", which causes some very risky behavior. They assume they can download some shady files or visit some dubious websites because their history won't be saved. However, the malware is not interested in the browser mode; it aims to infect the machine forever.
So, when is it recommended to use this mode? It is a good chance to buy presents on a shared family computer. Additionally, the person can use it to bypass the paywall of some websites which limit to five free articles per month. Thus, a person can use this feature whenever a temporary and clean environment is needed.
Another useful tip about multiple email accounts and social media profiles. One can access them without the necessity to log in and out, which helps to save a lot of time in case if a person maintains class project account and personal one at the same time. Yet, a person should close the window after that since the session will remain active.
Of course, there is the issue of public computers, such as those in a library or computer lab. In this case, the person should always use the Private Browsing mode since he does not want Google account to autofill on the computer of a stranger. It is simple digital hygiene which protects one from the following user.
Sometimes people state that using Private Mode helps to escape targeted ads, and indeed, it is true from the technical perspective related to local data only. However, the ad networks are quite advanced and track users across the web. They use the mechanisms such as device fingerprinting and cross-site trackers which work even after the window is closed. One can confuse the algorithm, but it is impossible to escape it.
For those who really want to make the algorithm confused, one can clear the cache and cookies manually after the regular session. It provides the same effect as the Private Browsing mode but gives the person more control over the process. Additionally, one can install some extensions, such as uBlock Origin, which block trackers completely. These tools work in regular mode of the browser and protect the person from data collection.
Thus, one can consider the Private Browsing mode as a raincoat in the hurricane. It helps to stay dry from the light rain but does not help during the heavy one. It deals with light rains such as hiding searches from nosy relatives. For the heavy lifting, one needs some serious security tools, such as Virtual Private Networks and password managers.
Using it correctly is connected with understanding the limitations of this function to avoid being tricked in the future. The person should understand that it is a convenience tool, not the security one. Google and Apple created it for session isolation, not for hiding from the government. And the knowledge of the difference helps to stay secure and not to make some embarrassing mistakes.
Thus, the person can use this feature for gift shopping and secret playlist creating. But he should not use it for heist planning or school firewall bypassing because the IT guy sees everything.
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