Most web browsers have a private browsing mode, which is a great way to browse the web without leaving a trail of cookies, history, and other data. Sometimes, this mode is also called “incognito mode.”
That browser mode can be helpful in a number of situations. Maybe you’re planning a trip as a surprise for your partner and don’t want them to see the travel site tabs in your history. Or maybe you want to check your personal email while at work without your boss knowing you were on Gmail. (check also How to keep your email inbox private?)
No matter what your reason is, private browsing is a useful tool.
Keep in mind that your employer or school can still track your IP address and see that you visited certain sites.
Here’s how to use it in some of the most common web browsers:
Google Chrome
Incognito mode is what Google Chrome calls the mode that lets you browse privately.
To use Incognito mode, open Chrome and click the three dots in the top right corner of the window.
Choose New Incognito Window from the drop-down menu.
There will be a dark grey “incognito” icon in the top right corner of the new window.
This means you’re in “Incognito” mode, and when you close the window, any cookies or site data will be erased.
Mozilla Firefox
To use Private Browsing, open Firefox and click the three lines in the top right corner of the window.
Choose New Private Window from the drop-down menu.
There will be a purple mask icon in the top right corner of the new window. This means you’re in Private Browsing mode, and when you close the window, any cookies or site data will be erased.
Microsoft Edge
InPrivate Browsing is the name of the private browsing mode in Microsoft Edge.
To use InPrivate Browsing, open Edge and click the three dots in the top-right corner of the window.
Choose New InPrivate Window from the drop-down menu.
The top corner of the new window will have a dark blue icon. This means you’re in InPrivate Browsing mode, and when you close the window, any cookies or site data will be deleted.
Apple Safari
Open Safari and click the Safari menu at the top of the screen to get to Private Browsing. Choose Private Browsing from the drop-down menu.
The background of the new window will be dark grey. This means you’re in Private Browsing mode, and when you close the window, any cookies or site data will be erased.
Opera
Open Opera and click the Opera menu at the top of the screen to get to Private Browsing. Choose New Private Window from the drop-down menu.
The background of the new window will be dark grey. This means you’re in Private Browsing mode, and when you close the window, any cookies or site data will be erased.