Is a Browser’s Incognito Mode Safe?

You may have heard a thing or two about the so-called incognito mode some web browsers have, but perhaps your understanding of it is a little blurry – as is the case with the majority of people. But if you’re a dedicated internet user or a tech-savvy person then chances are you’ll you know that incognito mode (also called private browsing or private mode) is actually something of a myth. We’re not saying it doesn’t help with your online security, it certainly does, but it definitely doesn’t make you a ghost either. Regardless, it is still without a doubt a very useful tool to reclaim some of your privacy, but if you combine it with a VPN (either a browser extension or one covering your device’s online data as a whole) then you’ll have the ultimate anonymity.

As a result of this, it is better to combine a browser’s private mode with a VPN to remain as hidden as possible. As you know, besides allowing you to circumvent geographical restrictions, VPNs help enhance your privacy too, since with these tools you’re routing your internet traffic through another company’s secure tunnels. Therefore, VPNs are able to block what a browser’s private mode can’t: they keep your ISP, employer and Wi-Fi owner in the dark, precisely because your traffic is going through the VPN servers instead. And since you’re given a new IP address from another country, websites will be unable to properly track your personal connection too. This is why many browsers already opt for providing their own VPNs as an extra privacy feature. Usually they either offer a built-in tool or they provide enhanced protection via browser extensions and add-ons, like Windscribe for Firefox, SaferVPN for Chrome and many others.