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.
It’s important to know just how incognito mode impacts your web surfing, though this may differ between browsers. Regardless, private mode affects three main areas: search history, cookiesand web cache, meaning that these will not be stored on your computer during your private session. In the same way, your log in details will not be saved unless you want them to and in some cases (like Firefox for instance) you can even toggle a function that will protect you against website monitoring.
However, don’t believe that private mode is the world’s greatest invention: you’re not completely anonymous under this mode. Think of it as having a short blanket on your bed: if you want to cover your neck, you’ll have to uncover your feet and vice versa. This means that when surfing in incognito mode you won’t be invisible to ISPs, employers or other entities that provide you with the internet access point, and they will still be able to see exactly which websites you visit in just the same way that these websites know that you visited them, along with your IP address and all the information associated with it. Likewise, any tabs you add to your favorites list (or to Speed Dial in the case of Opera), downloads you begin and passwords you choose to save will not be erased after you close the browser.
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.
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