When browsing on the Internet we value our privacy. And as we noted before, we often try a lot of measures to stay secure. One of them is opening an incognito window. BUT, misunderstanding the incognito window runs rampant. Today, we see why.
Prior posts include these two. Master Our Own Privacy with Google. And Digital Privacy Is Still a Big Issue.
What Is the Incognito Window?
In Google Chrome, we refer to the incognito window. While Firefox calls it the private window. In either case, people use the window to be less visible online.
Misunderstanding the Incognito Window
Despite their good intentions, many people misunderstand what this window really does. They overestimate the privacy gained.
To learn more, we turn to a discussion from Fast Company:
“One of the most common techniques people think can help hide their activity is the use of an ‘incognito’ mode in a browser. This opens a secure browsing window where third-party cookies are blocked and browsing history is paused.”
“Yet, the problem with incognito modes is they provide a false sense of security. Despite what most people assume, incognito modes are primarily built to block traces of your online activity being left on your computer — not the Web.”
“Just because you are using incognito mode, that doesn’t mean your ISP and sites like Google, Facebook, and Amazon can’t track your activity. This is especially true if you’re logged into any of these sites in your browser. No matter if it’s before or after you’re in an incognito window, the companies can still see everything you do. And it’s the same for any other site you need to log in to. So remember that if you’re logged in to a Web site, no matter if you are using incognito mode, or even a VPN, the Web site’s owners can see exactly what you are doing.”
“Browser compartmentalization is a privacy technique that is finally gaining mainstream attention. The technique sees users using two or even three browsers on the same computer. However, instead of switching between browsers at random, users of browser compartmentalization dedicate one browser to one type of internet activity, and another browser to another type of internet activity. A word of warning: This approach won’t completely protect your privacy. Your ISP and other companies may still be able to see which sites you are visiting. To completely obscure your traffic, you’ll need to also use a VPN.”