Private Browsing

 

Private browsing is a feature built into many modern-day web browsers. Many of the major web browsers have private browsing modes, and they are usually easy to access through the File menu. 

For instance:

Google Chrome has Incognito mode
Microsoft Edge has InPrivate Browsing
Safari has Private Browsing
Firefox has Private Browsing
Opera has private tabs built-in

Simply put, private browsing is a method of browsing where the browser will not save browser history, search history or local data such as cookies.

While private browsing will prevent your browser from storing information on your local device or computer, it won’t necessarily stop information being shared between your computer and your internet service provider (ISP). Many people believe that private browsing will keep them safe from viruses, malware and hacking attempts, and that because local data will not be stored it will protect them from fraud and theft when they enter, for example, financial details or passwords. But this is unfortunately not true.

Because private browsing relies on an internet protocol (IP) address supplied by your internet service provider (ISP), it is still possible for third parties to detect your browsing session and exploit flaws. Furthermore, software bugs, HTML5 APIs and even browser extensions have, in the past, been the source of accidental leaks and have allowed third parties to access search and internet history through private browsing.

Do we still recommend private browsing? Yes! Absolutely, but it is important to understand what it does and what it does not do. Private browsing is useful for covering your tracks (or rather, preventing any tracks from being made in the first place). It isn’t infallible, however, and while it will prevent information from being stored on your computer, it won’t prevent your employer, Internet service provider (ISP), websites you visit, or the NSA for that matter, from collecting any information you transmit beyond your computer.