Browsing in Incognito Mode feels like you’re staying hidden, but in reality, it’s not the full-proof privacy tool many believe it to be.
Your ISP can still monitor your activity, websites can still collect information about you, and your location is still visible. Incognito Mode only prevents your browser from storing your history locally and it doesn’t shield your data from prying eyes across the web.
In this article, you’ll learn how to use VPN on Incognito Mode in 2024. If true privacy is your goal, relying solely on Incognito Mode is not enough.
We’ll show you how the VPN encrypts your data and keeps your online actions hidden from ISPs and other potential trackers. We’ve got you covered with all the steps and insights you need, simply feel more secure while browsing.
Key Takeaways:
- Incognito Mode helps keep your browsing data private on your device, but it doesn’t hide your IP address or prevent tracking by ISPs or websites.
- Each browser—Chrome, Safari, Firefox, Edge, Opera—has a different way to activate Incognito Mode, along with some distinct indicators and shortcuts.
- Combining VPN and Incognito Mode: Incognito hides local data, while the VPN encrypts your connection, hides your IP, and prevents tracking.
What Is Incognito Mode?
Incognito Mode (also known as Private Browsing) is a feature that allows users to browse the internet without saving their browsing history, cookies, site data, or form inputs on their local device once the session is over.
This is a feature available in most popular browsers like Google Chrome, Safari, Firefox, and Microsoft Edge. This feature is helpful when using a shared or public computer, as it prevents others from seeing your browsing activity on that device.
Your Internet Service Provider (ISP), websites, or network administrators can still see your activity. For example, while browsing in Incognito Mode, websites can still track your actions through your IP address or by employing tracking technologies like digital fingerprinting, which gathers unique data about your device to identify you.
However, it is important to note that Incognito Mode does not make you invisible online. This means that even in private mode, websites may still have the capability to serve you targeted ads or track your behaviors.
How Does Incognito Mode Work?
When you open an Incognito or Private Browsing window, your browser starts a separate session that doesn’t save browsing history, cookies, or form data. Any downloaded files or bookmarks you create during the session will still be saved on your device, but your browsing activities, like visited sites, won’t be stored locally.
If you’re using a public or shared computer, Incognito Mode ensures that none of your browsing data remains after you’re done. It’s useful when you need to log in to multiple accounts on the same website. For example, you can use a regular browser window for one Gmail account and an Incognito window for another.
It provides local privacy, ensuring that your browsing history, cookies, and site data aren’t stored on your device. However, it does not make you anonymous online, as your activity is still visible to ISPs, websites, and sometimes even governments. To achieve a higher level of online privacy, combining Incognito Mode with other tools like VPNs, privacy-focused browsers, and tracking blockers is crucial.
How To Open Incognito Mode?
Below is a detailed guide on how to open Incognito Mode in various popular browsers, along with useful tips and tricks to enhance your browsing experience. The steps to open Incognito Mode are similar across various browsers, whether you’re on a computer or a mobile device.
- Open Your Browser: Start by launching your preferred browser on your computer or mobile device.
- Access the Menu: Most browsers have a menu represented by three dots or three horizontal lines (often called a “hamburger menu”) at the top or bottom corner of the screen.
- Select Private Browsing Option: Look for an option that says “New Incognito Window”, “New Private Window”, or “New InPrivate Window” depending on your browser.
Familiarize yourself with the shortcuts (Ctrl + Shift + N or Ctrl + Shift + P) to quickly switch between regular and private browsing modes. In Incognito Mode, extensions are usually disabled by default. However, you can customize settings to allow certain extensions to work, which can be useful for specific tasks.
Is Incognito Safe From Hackers?
It’s crucial to understand that Incognito Mode is not designed to protect against hackers or sophisticated online threats. Here are some specific limitations:
- No Protection Against Hackers: Hackers can still exploit vulnerabilities in your system, and Incognito Mode does nothing to prevent malware or phishing attacks.
- Visible IP Address: Your IP address is still visible when using Incognito Mode. This means that your location and identity are not hidden from websites, ISPs, or hackers.
- Tracking by Websites and ISPs: Websites can still track you using techniques like browser fingerprinting, where data such as your browser type, add-ons, and settings are used to create a unique identifier for you.
Although using a VPN adds significant security to Incognito Mode, it’s worth noting that no tool is completely foolproof. Learn more about potential vulnerabilities here.
What Is The Difference Between VPN And Incognito?
Incognito Mode and VPN (Virtual Private Network) are tools designed to enhance user privacy, but they serve different purposes and operate in fundamentally distinct ways.
Feature | Incognito Mode | VPN |
---|---|---|
Privacy Scope | Local (device only, hides history) | Global (encrypts all online activity) |
IP Masking | No | Yes |
Data Encryption | No | Yes |
Protection from ISP | No | Yes |
Security Against Hackers | No | Yes (encrypted data) |
Usage Scenarios | Avoid local tracking (shared devices) | Full anonymity, secure web access |
Access Geo-Blocked Content | No | Yes |
Incognito Mode is great for keeping your local browsing history private, while a VPN offers broader privacy and security, hiding your IP and encrypting your data to prevent tracking by ISPs, websites, and hackers. For comprehensive online safety, it’s advisable to use a VPN on Incognito Mode.
How To Use VPN On Incognito Mode?
On Chrome
Google Chrome calls it “Incognito Mode”, a hat and glasses icon appear. It blocks browsing history, cookies, and form data. Open Google Chrome and click on the three-dot menu in the top-right corner. Select “New Incognito Window”. You can also use the shortcut Ctrl+Shift+N for Windows or Command+Shift+N for macOS. Once the window opens, connect to TurisVPN for added security while browsing privately.
On Bing (Microsoft Edge)
To enter private mode of Bing, click on the three dots in the top-right corner and select “New InPrivate Window”. You can also use Ctrl+Shift+P. Indicator of Bing is a blue “InPrivate” label. After entering this mode, launch TurisVPN to safeguard your activity and ensure privacy.
On Opera
Opera’s Private Browsing mode offers a simple user interface, making it easy to switch between normal and private browsing when needed. The interface will have a dark theme. Open Opera, click on the Opera logo or the menu button, and choose “New Private Window”. You can also use the shortcut Ctrl+Shift+N. After switching to private mode, open your TurisVPN app, select a server, and establish a secure connection.
On Firefox
Firefox has an open-source approach with Private Browsing mode, offering enhanced tracking protection. Click on the menu button in the top-right corner (three horizontal lines), and choose “New Private Window”. Alternatively, use the shortcut Ctrl+Shift+P for Windows or Command+Shift+P for macOS. For secure and anonymous browsing, connect to TurisVPN after opening your private session.
On Safari
Safari provides a feature called “Private Browsing” that includes Intelligent Tracking Prevention (ITP) to block third-party cookies. On macOS, go to File and select “New Private Window”. The address bar will turn dark, indicating that Private Browsing is enabled. Do not forget to activate VPN for secure and privacy online activity.
If you’re trying to decide which browser offers better privacy, Safari or Chrome, here’s a useful comparison to help you choose.
TurisVPN: The Best VPN for Private Incognito Browsing
TurisVPN is a top choice for those seeking secure and private browsing, especially when using Incognito Mode. By combining the privacy features of Incognito Mode with TurisVPN, users can significantly enhance their online anonymity and security.
TurisVPN’s no-logs policy ensures that your internet traffic is not recorded, providing an additional layer of privacy. One of the standout features of TurisVPN is its use of cutting-edge technologies like the WireGuard Protocol and IP-2HOP (available in the premium version). This ensures that your data is encrypted twice, safeguarding it from hackers, ISPs, and any other prying eyes.
If you are a heavy browser or stream frequently, TurisVPN offers unlimited data for premium subscribers. Free users can enjoy up to 1GB of data per day, which is sufficient for light browsing. With a simple and intuitive design, TurisVPN is easy to install and use, making it accessible for beginners.
Bottom Line
Browsing in Incognito Mode may give you a sense of privacy, but it doesn’t hide you from ISPs, hackers, or prying websites. If online security matters to you, using both tools together will give you greater control over your digital footprint, help bypass geo-restrictions, and minimize the chances of being tracked or hacked.
FAQs
Q1. Does VPN work on incognito?
Yes, a VPN works with Incognito Mode. When you use a VPN on Incognito Mode, you gain enhanced privacy. While Incognito Mode alone doesn’t provide complete anonymity, using a VPN ensures your data is encrypted and your real IP remains hidden, offering a more secure browsing experience.
Q2. Why is incognito mode not showing up?
If Incognito Mode is not visible in your browser, several factors could be responsible:
- Browser Settings: Sometimes, Incognito Mode can be disabled through browser settings. Check if you need to enable it manually.
- Admin Restrictions: If you’re using a computer managed by a workplace or school, network administrators might have disabled Incognito Mode to monitor user activity.
Q3. Does Incognito Mode Prevent Ads?
Incognito Mode can help minimize targeted ads since cookies aren’t stored, but it doesn’t eliminate ads altogether. If you’re logged into an account or visiting a site that can identify you, you may still see ads.