Let’s Go Incognito

October 17, 2023

Ever wonder what the Incognito Window in your browser does?

In Chrome it’s called an Incognito Window.  In Safari it’s called a Private Window.  The names give you an idea, but it may also give you a false sense of security.

WHAT IT DOES
The private browsing window, no matter what the name, opens up a new private browser window.  The browsing you do in that window won’t be stored on your device.  It treats each page you go to as if you have never been there before.

WHAT IT DOESN’T DO

It doesn’t hide your browsing history from your employer or your internet provider. It also doesn’t hide you from trackers or viruses.

SO WHY USE AN INCOGNITO/PRIVATE WINDOW?

The Incognito Window treats your website browsing as a first time visit.  Which means the website won’t remember:

  • If you already looked at the price of that flight you want take (you might find a better price)

  • If you logged in previously (helpful when you have more than one login)

  • If you saved that one time offer for new visitors (great when you missed clicking the offer the first time)

  • It’s also helpful when a website just won’t clear something, even though you have clicked the refresh button.

For truly private browsing, you need a VPN in addition to the Incognito Window.  That’s a topic for another time.