Private browsing—often referred to as Incognito Mode—is a feature in all major web browsers designed to prevent your browsing activity from being saved. But is it truly private? How do you enable or disable it? And what are the pros and cons?
What Is Private Browsing?
Private browsing creates a temporary session that doesn’t save:
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Browsing history
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Cookies & site data
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Form inputs (like passwords or searches)
However, it does not make you anonymous. Your:
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ISP
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Employer (on corporate networks)
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Websites you visit
can still track or identify your activity.
Common Names:
| Browser | Name of Feature |
|---|---|
| Google Chrome | Incognito Mode |
| Mozilla Firefox | Private Browsing |
| Safari | Private Browsing |
| Microsoft Edge | InPrivate Mode |
| Opera | Private Mode |
How to Activate Private Browsing (Desktop)
| Browser | Shortcut | How to Activate |
|---|---|---|
| Chrome | Ctrl + Shift + N | Menu (⋮) → New Incognito Window |
| Firefox | Ctrl + Shift + P | Menu (☰) → New Private Window |
| Edge | Ctrl + Shift + N | Menu (⋯) → New InPrivate Window |
| Safari (Mac) | ⌘ + Shift + N | File → New Private Window |
| Opera | Ctrl + Shift + N | Menu (O icon) → New Private Window |
How to Activate Private Browsing (Mobile)
| Browser | Steps (iOS & Android) |
|---|---|
| Chrome | Tap Menu (⋮ or …) → New Incognito Tab |
| Firefox | Tap Menu (☰) → New Private Tab |
| Safari | Tap Tabs → Private → + to open a new private tab |
| Edge | Tap Tabs icon → InPrivate → + |
| Opera | Tap Tabs → Private → + |
How to Switch Between Private and Normal Mode
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Desktop: Simply open a new private or normal window. Each runs in its own session.
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Mobile: Use the tabs view to switch between private and normal tabs.
🔁 Note: Closing a private window or tab ends that session completely.
Pros of Private Browsing
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Keeps browsing history clean (great for shared computers)
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Prevents cookie tracking during the session
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Avoids auto-filled forms (e.g., for sensitive info)
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Useful for multiple logins (e.g., signing into 2 Gmail accounts)
Limitations / Cons
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Does not hide activity from:
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Employers
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ISPs
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Websites (still see IP)
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Downloads and bookmarks are saved normally
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Autofill and extensions may still function depending on browser settings
Best Use Cases for Private Browsing
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Booking travel or gifts without leaving history
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Using public or shared devices
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Testing websites without login/cache interference
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Signing into secondary accounts without logging out
How to Deactivate Private Browsing
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Simply close the tab or window.
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No toggle is needed—closing ends the session.
Quick Reference Table: Private Mode at a Glance
| Browser | Private Name | Shortcut (Desktop) | Available on Mobile | Automatically Deletes History |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chrome | Incognito | Ctrl + Shift + N | ✅ | ✅ |
| Firefox | Private Browsing | Ctrl + Shift + P | ✅ | ✅ |
| Safari (Mac) | Private Browsing | ⌘ + Shift + N | ✅ | ✅ |
| Edge | InPrivate | Ctrl + Shift + N | ✅ | ✅ |
| Opera | Private Mode | Ctrl + Shift + N | ✅ | ✅ |
Private browsing is a great tool when used appropriately—but it’s not a substitute for true anonymity or cybersecurity. Use it to minimise local traces, not to hide from the internet entirely.
For businesses and individuals who handle sensitive data, consider combining private browsing with:
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A reputable VPN
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Secure password managers
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Antivirus tools
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Regular software updates