How to Enable Incognito Mode

Incognito mode allows private browsing without saving browser history or cookies. But how do you enable it, what are its benefits, and what should you keep in mind? Here are the key facts.

How to Enable Incognito Mode

Google Chrome:

• Desktop:
  • Click the three vertical dots in the top right corner of the browser.
  • Select "New Incognito Window".
  • Keyboard shortcut:
    • Windows/Linux: Ctrl + Shift + N.
    • Mac: Cmd + Shift + N.
  • The browser opens a new window with a notice that incognito mode is active.
• Mobile:
  • Tap the three dots in the top right corner.
  • Select "New Incognito Tab".

Mozilla Firefox:

• Desktop:
  • Click the three horizontal lines in the top right corner.
  • Select "New Private Window".
  • Keyboard shortcut:
    • Windows/Linux: Ctrl + Shift + P.
    • Mac: Cmd + Shift + P.
• Mobile:
  • Tap the three lines in the bottom right corner.
  • Select "New Private Tab".

Safari:

• Mac:
  • In the menu bar, select "File" and then "New Private Window".
  • Keyboard shortcut: Cmd + Shift + N.
• iOS:
  • Tap the tabs icon (two overlapping squares).
  • Select "Private" and then the plus icon to open a private tab.

Microsoft Edge:

• Desktop:
  • Click the three dots in the top right corner.
  • Select "New InPrivate Window".
  • Keyboard shortcut:
    • Windows/Linux: Ctrl + Shift + N.
    • Mac: Cmd + Shift + N.
• Mobile:
  • Tap the three dots in the bottom right corner.
  • Select "New InPrivate Tab".

Benefits of Incognito Mode

• Private browsing: The browser does not save history, cookies, or form data. Ideal when sharing a device or researching without leaving traces.
• Price comparisons: Many websites adjust prices based on your previous searches. In incognito mode, you can often see "fresh" prices.
• Secure login on shared devices: When you log in on a public or shared device, your credentials are not saved after closing the window.
• More control: You can visit websites without being automatically logged in (e.g., Google, Facebook).

Example:

A traveler searches for flight prices in a normal window and notices that prices increase with each search. By using incognito mode, the cache is bypassed, and they see the original prices.

Additional Tips

• Use incognito mode wisely:
  • Perfect for A/B testing (e.g., comparing ads or landing pages).
  • Great for guest sessions when friends or family use your device.
• Combine with a VPN:
  Incognito mode protects your privacy locally, but your internet provider or employer can still see your activity. A VPN additionally encrypts your data.
• Understand the limitations:
  • Websites can still track you through other techniques (e.g., browser fingerprinting).
  • Incognito mode does not protect against malware, phishing, or data breaches.
• Regular data maintenance:
  Even though incognito mode does not save data, cookies and cache should still be manually cleared occasionally, especially during normal browsing sessions.
• Use alternative browsers:
  Browsers like Brave or Tor offer additional privacy measures and may make incognito mode unnecessary in some cases.