How Incognito Mode Works, Privacy Protection When Browsing the Internet

Incognito mode in Google Chrome is a feature designed to provide additional privacy and help you keep your browsing activities more private. When you enable Incognito mode, some key functions of the browser change to reduce your digital footprint, at least on the device you are using. While this mode does not provide full anonymity on the internet, it does provide some important privacy and security benefits. Here's how Incognito mode works and what its key features are:

Browsing History Removal
In Incognito mode, Chrome does not save your browsing history. This means that the websites you visit won't appear in your history list, and the URL addresses you type in won't be saved. Once you close the Incognito window, the browsing history associated with that session is automatically deleted.
 

Cookies and Session Data Management
Cookies are small files stored by websites to keep track of your information and preferences. In Incognito mode, cookies used during a browsing session are only valid for that session and will be deleted once you close the Incognito window. This helps prevent tracking and collecting data about your activities during that Incognito session.
 

Extensions and Add-ons
By default, extensions and add-ons that you have in Chrome are inactive in Incognito mode. This is a security measure to ensure that extensions that might collect data don't do so during Incognito sessions. However, you can choose to enable certain extensions to be used in Incognito mode by manually changing the extension's settings.
 

Parallels with Regular Browsing Sessions
Incognito mode works independently of regular browsing sessions. For example, if you log in to your Google account or other accounts in your regular browsing window, your login status will have no effect on your Incognito session. Vice versa, login and activity in Incognito will not change or affect your regular browsing session.
 

Monitoring and Activity Tracks
While Incognito mode prevents local data storage on your device, it does not make you completely anonymous on the internet. Your activity can still be seen by your internet service provider (ISP), network administrators at work or school, and the websites you visit. They can track and monitor your online activities even if you are in Incognito mode.
 

Autofill and Password Manager Features
Features such as Autofill, which automatically fills in forms with your personal information, and password manager, which stores passwords, may not function in the same way in Incognito mode. These features rely on data stored by the browser, which is not retained during Incognito sessions.
 

Overall, Incognito mode offers an additional layer of privacy by limiting the data stored and reducing the likelihood of cookie-based tracking during your browsing session. However, it is important to remember that this mode does not protect you completely from all forms of online tracking or surveillance.