How private mode works in browsers and why it does not guarantee complete anonymity. Private Browsing in Firefox How to Switch to Secret Mode

When viewing pages on the Internet, each user usually leaves behind “traces”. You may have noticed that filling out forms on websites can already be filled out automatically (login, nickname, e-mail, name, password, etc.), and when you enter an address in the address bar, frequently typed addresses are already inserted, and frequently visited pages (sites) open faster than the first time, etc.
The point is that you usually save all this information, and it is also transmitted and remains on websites and on your computer in the form.
On the one hand, this is convenient, because you don’t need to enter all this data every time and everything happens quite quickly, but on the other hand, attackers can gain access to this data and use it to hack you. And another person who uses your computer can see your browsing or download history, and in general all your activity on the Internet.
In this article I will show how you can use the browser in private browsing mode (incognito), as a result of which your data will not be saved anywhere and no one will know where you were and what you did.

What is private mode in the browser?
This is a mode of viewing web pages in which the browser leaves no traces of its presence either for the pages themselves or for other users. It is also called incognito mode.

As a result of such viewing, the following information will not be saved:
- web form and search data you fill out;
- entered passwords;
- all visited web pages;
- cookies of visited sites;
- download list in the Download Window;
- cached and offline content;
- user data.

By the way, you can create bookmarks in this mode and they will be displayed in normal mode. This is convenient when you “wandered” the Internet, found an interesting site and decided to save it so you can look at it later.

I would also like to note that when you turn on this mode, a new window (not a tab) opens in which you can visit pages, and a recent page will also be opened. Those. As a result, it turns out that you can sit in both normal mode and private mode at the same time, which allows you to sit in one window, for example, and surf the Internet in another without fear that your data and information may be found out.

Private Browsing in Internet Explorer

Method 1: keyboard shortcut Ctrl+Shift+P.

Method 2: menu Service - Browsing InPrivate

In both methods, a new private mode window will open:

Private browsing in Firefox

Method 1: keyboard shortcut Ctrl+Shift+P .

Method 2: menu File - New private window

Method 3: right-click on any link on the site, and then, in the context menu that appears, select Open link in new private window

In any of these methods (except the last) the result will be a new private window:

By the way, if you click on the menu Tools - Settings in Mazil Firefox:

then the settings window will open, and there will be a tab Safety, in which you can make the browser always be in private access mode:

Private browsing in Opera

Method 1: keyboard shortcut Ctrl+Shift+N

Method 2: Opera top menu - Tabs and windows - Create a private tab or Create a private window:

As you can see, Opera has also created a private tab, maybe this will be just as convenient for someone.

By the way, Opera also has settings

that can help with privacy:

The private mode window in Opera is as follows.

When viewing web pages, browsers (Yandex, Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox) save a lot of information. For example, browsing history, passwords for social network accounts and email. But sometimes there is a need to hide traces of your time on the Internet, for example, if you decide to secretly give a gift to a loved one or access your email while visiting. Incognito mode allows you to enable private browsing mode, when entered passwords, as well as addresses of sites and pages that you visited, are not saved.

What is private mode (aka “Incognito” and InPrivate)

This function is available in the most popular browsers, sometimes there are different names for it. In Incognito mode, the browser does not save entered passwords, search queries, and addresses of visited pages. At the same time, changes in settings, downloaded files and added bookmarks are saved.

Remember: private tabs do not make you invisible to sites. If you log in to a social network, your appearance will be noticed. Incognito mode is designed to hide your online history from other users of your computer. By opening a private tab, you instruct the browser not to use old cookies, cache, or local memory.

In incognito, only the browser does not store your Internet activity. Other sources may see what websites you visit, including:

• your employer (if you use an office computer);
• internet service provider;
• directly the websites you visit.

How to enable the mode in different browsers

In order to log in in private mode, you need to know what browser you are using. As a rule, the transition is indicated visually by an icon depicting a mask or glasses. How to open a private tab in Yandex Browser, Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, read on.

Google Chrome

Yandex browser

Opera

Mozilla Firefox

Microsoft Edge (Internet Explorer)

How to quickly open a private window using hotkeys

To quickly launch incognito mode, you can use hotkeys: in Google Chrome, Opera and Yandex Browser, the combination Ctrl + Shift + N is used. In Mozilla Firefox and Microsoft Edge, the combination Ctrl + Shift + P is used.

How to close or disable Incognito mode and exit private browsing

To return to normal browsing and disable the use of private mode, just close the window. After this, the browser will delete all cookies created while working in it. This method to remove Incognito mode is suitable for any browser, including the most popular: Yandex, Mozilla Firefox, Opera and Google Chrome.

Video instructions: how to log into Incognito

To make it easier for you to understand how to open private browsing in any browser, we have selected video instructions that clearly show several ways to switch to private mode.

If you need a computer while visiting, the best way to avoid leaving traces or passwords from your accounts is to browse in private mode, because this feature is implemented in every browser. When you use tabs or windows in private mode, data (such as history, temporary internet files, and cookies) is deleted from your computer as soon as you finish browsing.

Incognito mode is a private operating mode of the browser; when working in the browser, data about visited sites, search queries, and other information about the user’s activities is not saved. The browser, when visiting certain resources on the Internet, collects a certain amount of information about the user’s actions.

Basically, this is necessary in order to quickly open the desired site, automatically enter previously entered data in the site login form, etc.

In some cases, the user needs to use the browser privately, without saving browsing and search history, and without leaving other traces of his activities. This may be necessary, for example, if you need to hide something from relatives or work colleagues if they have access to your computer.

To do this, you need to enable incognito mode in your browser. All major browsers support a private mode, which is called differently in browsers: “incognito mode”, “private browsing”, “InPrivate mode”.

After enabling incognito mode, the following data is not saved in the browser:

• history of visited web pages;
• search query history;
• data entered into login forms on web pages;
• cookies (cookies);
• download list;
• the browser does not remember passwords;
• After exiting private mode, the cache and offline data are deleted.

Bookmarks created in private browsing mode will be saved in the regular browser. Files downloaded in incognito mode are not deleted from the computer. Keep in mind that incognito mode does not provide anonymity.

Incognito mode works in a separate window that opens parallel to the regular browser window. While working in private mode, the user can simultaneously use a regular browser and a browser opened in incognito mode. History and other private data will not be saved only in the browser opened in private mode.

To enter incognito mode, use hotkeys. For more information about hotkey combinations, see the browser-specific sections of this article, as well as the summary table at the end of the article.

How to enter incognito mode in Google Chrome

Incognito mode in Chrome leaves no traces on your computer (cookies, search and browsing history, etc.) after closing incognito tabs. Bookmarks added to the browser and downloaded files will be saved on your computer.

The Internet provider and system administrator in the organization will be able to see your actions. Websites you visit will also know about your visit.

Incognito mode in Google Chrome is launched in several ways:

1. Go to “Settings and control Google Chrome” and click on “New window in incognito mode”.
2. Press the “Ctrl” + “Shift” + “N” keys on your keyboard.
3. Right-click on the Google Chrome browser icon on the taskbar and select “New window in incognito mode.”
4. Right-click on the link and select “Open link in a window in incognito mode” from the context menu.

In order to disable incognito mode, just close the Chrome browser window running in private mode.

How to enable incognito mode in Yandex Browser

Incognito mode in Yandex Browser will allow you not to save your requests and visits, cookies, etc.

There are several ways to open incognito mode in Yandex Browser:

1. Enter “Yandex Browser Settings”, click on “Incognito Mode”.
2. Press the keyboard keys “Ctrl” + “Shift” + “N” at the same time.
3. Right-click on the browser icon on the taskbar and select “New window in Incognito mode.”
4. After right-clicking on the link, select “Open link in Incognito mode.”

Close the Yandex Browser window running in private mode in order to exit incognito mode.

How to enable private browsing in Mozilla Firefox

The incognito mode in Mozilla is called “Private Browsing”. You can enter incognito mode in Firefox in the following ways:

1. Press the “Ctrl” + “Shift” + “P” keys on your keyboard.
2. Click on the “Open Menu” button and then on “Private Window”.
3. After clicking on the Mozilla Firefox browser icon on the taskbar, select “New private window”.
4. Right-click on the link, select "Open link in a new private window."

In Mozilla Firefox, Tracking Protection is enabled in Private Browsing mode to prevent some sites from using trackers that collect information about user behavior.

Close tabs running in incognito mode to exit private mode in the Mozilla Firefox browser.

In the Mozilla Firefox settings, in the “Privacy” tab, in the “History” item, you can select a different browser operating mode, for example, “Firefox will not remember history.”

How to switch to incognito mode in Opera

Opera's incognito mode is called "Private Browsing". There are several options to enter private browsing in the Opera browser:

1. Click on the “Menu” button, select “Create a private window”.
2. Press "Ctrl" + "Shift" + "N" on your keyboard.
3. Right-click on the Opera browser icon in the taskbar, and then select “Create a private window.”
4. Right-click on the link and click “Open in private window.”

After closing the browser window in incognito mode, all data will be deleted. To ensure greater privacy, use a VPN, which is built into the Opera browser.

Private browsing in Microsoft Edge

In the Microsoft Edge browser, incognito mode is called "InPrivate Browsing." There are several ways to enable private mode in the Microsoft Edge browser:

1. Go to “Settings and more”, click on “New InPrivate window”.
2. On the Taskbar, right-click on the Edge browser icon and select the “New InPrivate Window” context menu item.
3. To enable private browsing mode, press the keyboard shortcut “Ctrl” + “Shift” + “P”.

After this, a window will open in the Microsoft Edge browser in incognito mode.

After closing all InPrivate tabs, temporary data used in private mode will be deleted in the Microsoft Edge browser.

How to enable incognito mode in Internet Explorer

The incognito mode in the Internet Explorer browser is called “private browsing” - InPrivate. You can enter incognito mode in Internet Explorer in the following ways:

1. Enter private browsing by simultaneously pressing the keyboard keys “Ctrl” + “Shift” + “P”.
2. Right-click on the Internet Explorer browser icon on the Taskbar and select “Start InPrivate Browsing.”
3. Go to the Tools menu, select Security, and then click on InPrivate Browsing.

After this, the Internet Explorer browser window will open with a message stating that “InPrivate browsing is enabled.” By default, InPrivate Browsing mode disables toolbars and extensions in the browser (this setting can be changed).

InPrivate mode will be disabled in the browser after closing this window.

Hotkeys to enter incognito mode: table

The table contains hotkeys used in the most popular browsers running on Windows, Linux, and Chrome OS operating systems.

Conclusions of the article

In order not to save data about work in the browser, the user can use incognito mode, launched in a separate window. In private mode, browsing history, search history, cookies, and other data are not saved.

Private browsing, InPrivate, incognito mode - this function under different names is available in all modern browsers. Private mode provides a certain confidentiality, but still does not guarantee complete anonymity on the Internet.

Private mode changes the behavior of the browser, be it Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, Internet Explorer, Apple Safari, Opera or any other option. However, nothing else changes.

How the browser usually works

In normal mode, the browser stores information about your web surfing history. When you visit a site, the browser records its address in a log, saves cookies and form data for later auto-filling. The browser also stores a history of downloads and search queries entered in the address bar, remembers user-selected passwords, and saves fragments of web pages so that they can be opened faster in the future (this is called caching).

If someone else is on your computer, they can easily access this information - for example, they will start typing something in the address bar, and the browser will suggest one of the sites you have previously visited. And in general, nothing prevents a stranger from opening your browser history and seeing what web pages you go to.

Saving some types of data can be disabled manually, but this is how all browsers work by default.

How the browser works in private mode

When you enable private mode (aka incognito mode in Google Chrome and InPrivate browsing in Internet Explorer), the browser does not save any of the above. When visiting sites in private mode, addresses, cookies, form data, etc. are not remembered. Some data - cookies, for example - are saved for the duration of browsing, but are destroyed when the browser is closed.

When private mode first appeared, some sites tried to outsmart it by storing cookies using the Adobe Flash plugin, but now it also supports private mode and does not remember any data.

Private mode starts a separate browsing session: for example, if you're signed in to Facebook normally and then open a private window in the same browser, you'll have to sign in to Facebook again in that window. This allows you to use private mode to log into several accounts on one site at the same time - for example, in normal mode you can log into your main Google account, and in a private window - into a second Google account.

With private mode, others won't be able to access your web browsing history because it simply isn't saved. In addition, in private mode, sites cannot track you using cookies. However, the private mode does not guarantee complete anonymity.

Threats on the computer itself

Private mode prevents the browser from storing information about web surfing, but does not in any way prevent other applications on the computer from spying on the user. If a keylogger or other spyware application has leaked into the system, it may well be observing what is being done in the browser. And on some computers, special software may be installed to monitor browser activity - private mode does not protect, for example, from parental control programs that take screenshots or record the history of visited sites.

In other words, private mode prevents strangers from knowing what sites you've been on after you've been there, but it doesn't stop them from spying on you while you surf the web if they have access to your computer. If your computer is securely protected, there is no need to worry about this.

Network activity monitoring

Private mode in browsers only works on your own computer. The browser may not remember the history of web surfing, but is not able to destroy this history on other computers, servers and routers. Let's say that when you visit a website, traffic from your computer passes through several other servers before reaching that site's server. And in a corporate or university network, traffic also passes through a router, which may well store the browsing history if required by the employer or educational institution. And even if you are on your home network, requests to sites go through your Internet provider, which can also record traffic. And after that, the request goes to the server of the site itself, which can record information about visitors.

Private mode does not protect against all of the above. It simply allows you to avoid storing your web surfing history on your local computer where others can see it. However, other systems continue to record your movements across the network space.

If several users use the Mozilla Firefox browser, then in this situation it may be necessary to hide their browsing history. Fortunately, you don't have to clear your history and other files accumulated by your browser after every web surfing session when the Mozilla Firefox browser has an effective incognito mode.

Incognito mode (or private mode) is a special mode of operation of the web browser in which the browser does not record your browsing history, cookies, download history and other information that will tell other Firefox users about your online activities.

Please note that many users mistakenly think that incognito mode also applies to the provider (the system administrator at work). Private mode applies exclusively to your browser, preventing other users from knowing what and when you visited.

Method 1: Launch a private window

This mode is especially convenient to use, because it can be launched at any time. It implies that a separate window will be created in your browser in which you can surf the web anonymously.

To use this method, follow these steps:

In order to end your anonymous web surfing session, you just need to close the private window.

Method 2: Start permanent private mode

This method will be useful for users who want to completely limit the recording of information in the browser, i.e. private mode will work in Mozilla Firefox by default. Here we will need to go to the Firefox settings.

Private mode is a useful tool that comes with the Mozilla Firefox browser. With its help, you can always be sure that other browser users will not be aware of your Internet activity.