Starting Incognito Mode in the Google Chrome browser in Windows also takes just two clicks of the mouse. In the Chrome menu, click “File” -> “New Incognito Window.” Or, you can click the three dots in the upper right-hand corner and then click on “New Incognito Window.”
Starting Incognito Mode in the Google Chrome browser on the Mac takes just two clicks of the mouse. I’ll cover the most popular browsers: Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge, and Internet Explorer. How Do I Activate Incognito Mode?Īctivating Incognito Mode varies depending on the browser you’re using.
Incognito Mode gets rid of everything you collect during a session, making it impossible for other users to see which websites you’ve visited during your session.īe aware, however, that any bookmarks you create or files you download will remain after you’ve closed your incognito session. (That’s why you began seeing those ads for GoDaddy after you checked to see if the domain “” was still available.) (Google does warn you that blocking third-party cookies may cause features of some websites to not operate correctly.)Ĭookies are small text files saved during web browsing sessions that do many things, such as keeping you logged in on websites, keeping track of your online shopping cart, and sadly, tracking your travels on the internet.
Chrome’s Incognito Mode can optionally block third-party cookies, which track you during your online travels. Whatever it’s called, it deletes the history of any websites you may visit during the session, saves no information you may enter in forms you fill out, and deletes any “cookies” that you might collect along the way. Different browsers call this mode different things (more about that shortly). Incognito Mode is a special mode, available on most popular browsers, that helps users hide their online activities from other users of the computer. So, grab your fuzzy bunny slippers, grab a bowl of ice cream, and get a comfy chair, because I’m about to lay some “incognito” knowledge on you. Last but not least, I’ll tell you ways to plug the privacy holes that Incognito Mode leaves open, making your web browsing sessions truly incognito. I’ll also explain why this privacy-enhancing mode doesn’t offer as much protection as you may think. In this article, I’ll cover what Incognito Mode is and how you can enable it in the browser you use. I mean – Incognito Mode! That’s what I meant to say!īut seriously, did you know that, even if you use your browser’s Incognito Mode, third parties can still track your online activities? Third parties can include your Internet Service Provider, the government, and that guy who seems to spend the whole day using his laptop on the Wi-Fi hotspot at Starbucks. Mine includes drawn shades, a big bowl of chocolate chip ice cream, fluffy bunny slippers and a comfy couch. Everyone has a favorite method for browsing the web privately.