Have you ever clicked on your browser's incognito mode, thinking you'd become invisible online? Well, prepare to be surprised! While it may seem like you're leaving zero traces, the reality may be a little different than you imagine. In this article, we reveal what is really hidden behind the so-called “anonymous” browsing.
When you open a new window in incognito mode, your browser promises private browsing, where your history, cookies and data entered into forms are not saved on the device. Sounds good, right? But there's more beneath the surface. Even though this information isn't stored locally, it doesn't mean your online activities are completely hidden.
The promises of incognito mode
There incognito mode it makes you believe you are a ghost in the digital world. You expect that no one, neither the websites you visit nor your internet service provider, can track what you do online. But get ready: we're about to find out that the reality may not be so simple.
Even though incognito browsing seems to offer you an invisibility cloak, it actually leaves more traces than you think. Your activities are not visible to those who use your device, but it's not the same for the rest of the network. Web sitesinternet service providers and even some malware can still follow in your digital footsteps.
What is tracked in the incognito mode
Do you think going incognito makes you anonymous? Think again. Your IP address remains visiblewhich means that your location and your identity they can still be tracked. Websites may not know who you are from your device, but they know where you come from. And this is only the beginning.
Here's the good part: when you close the incognito window, your browser forgets everything. There is no browsing history, persistent cookies or saved form data. This offers some protection from others' curiosity about your device, but not much more.
Recently, Google came under the spotlight for failing to deliver on the privacy promises of incognito mode. A class action lawsuit revealed that the company was tracking user activity even in this mode, leading to a historic decision: deleting billions of inappropriately collected data. A real alarm bell privacy that these tools offer.
He's not alone Google Chrome to offer a modality incognito. Browser like Safari, Edge And Firefox they promise all private browsing, but the differences are minimal. They all protect the data on your device, but none can completely hide your online identity. The key? Understand the limits of what online “privacy” really means.
The illusion of privacy
Incognito mode is shrouded in an aura of mystery, but once the veil is removed, it turns out that it is more of a trick for the local privacy than a true online anonymity tool. It is important to understand these limits to navigate consciously and protect your privacy in more effective ways.
If incognito mode isn't the panacea for online privacy, what can we do to really protect ourselves? Using a VPN (Virtual Private Network) can be a great start. By hiding your IP address, a VPN makes it much more difficult for websites and your ISP to track your online activity. Also, consider using search engines that don't track your searches, such as DuckDuckGofor greater privacy.
The digital footprint: what it is and how it makes us recognisable
Even without cookies or chronology Of navigationwebsites can still recognize you through the “digital fingerprinting”. This technique combines the unique characteristics of your device and browser, such as installed fonts and window size, to create a nearly unique profile. Even incognito, you're not as invisible as you might think.
THE cookies are the little secrets that websites they leave on your device to remember you. In incognito mode, these are blocked or deleted when the session ends. But be careful: some sites use more sophisticated techniques to “imprint” your visit. Even if cookies they are not a problem in disguise, the tracking can however occur in less obvious ways.
A common misconception is that incognito mode offers protection from threats such as malware, viruses, or phishing. In reality, this mode has nothing to do with cybersecurity. Incognito browsing does not filter dangerous content or malicious sites; therefore, it is essential to have a good antivirus and practice safe browsing, regardless of the mode used.
What is anonymous browsing really for??
Despite his limitationsthe Anonymous browsing has its advantages. It is useful for preventing websites from saving unwanted information on your device or for accessing your personal account on a shared computer without leaving traces. It can also be useful for comparing flight and hotel prices, as some websites increase prices based on your search history.
Incognito browsing is not the online privacy superpower that many believe it to be. It offers some protection on your machine, but little beyond that. Awareness and the use of additional tools such as VPN, browser oriented towards privacy and a solid cybersecurity practice are essential to keeping your business online as private as possible. Remember: in the vastness of the Internet, it is always better to navigate informed.
Do you want to delve even deeper into the topic of online privacy? What tools do you use to keep your internet activities private? Share your thoughts and experiences!
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