Don't be fooled, the browser's incognito or private mode cannot protect against all threats

 Don't be fooled, the browser's incognito or private mode cannot protect against all threats

As many people think, the incognito mode in web browsers is not completely safe. It only prevents your browser history and cookies from being saved.

There are several privacy and security risks associated with the perception that users are making about incognito mode, which you must know. So today we are telling you about the 6 main dangers that incognito mode cannot protect you from.

1. Your internet activity is not completely hidden from your ISP:

Even if you use private browsing, your Internet Service Provider (ISP) can monitor which websites you visit, when you do it, and how long you stay there. Because all your online activity passes through the ISP's server. Therefore, if the ISP wants to, they can easily know your browsing activity.

To avoid this, using a VPN (Virtual Private Network) is a simple and effective option. It encrypts your internet traffic and routes it through a secure server. This makes it difficult for your ISP to monitor your activity. However, you should also be aware that VPNs have their own limitations and risks.

2. Others can see your downloaded data:

When you download a file from a private browsing session, it is saved on your mobile, tablet or computer like any other normal download. This means that those files can remain accessible to everyone on the computer even after you close the incognito window. Unless you delete them yourself, anyone using that device can view, open or copy those files, which could put your sensitive data at risk.

The good thing is that the browser does not keep a history of these downloads. However, if you are using a public or shared device, do not forget to delete those files yourself when you are done. If you need to download a large file and store it on such a device, you can encrypt it or protect it with a password to prevent unauthorized access.

3. Browsing may be monitored by the network administrator

If you think that your activity is hidden when browsing privately on the office, school, or public Wi-Fi, it may be unfortunate for you. Network administrators (which include the IT team) can monitor what you are doing online using private mode browsing.

Using a VPN is an easy way to avoid this. A VPN creates an encrypted tunnel between your device and the internet, which masks your activity. However, VPNs are often blocked on such networks. In such cases, you can use the Tor browser, which routes your traffic through multiple encrypted nodes to maintain privacy. Alternatively, you can use the Brave browser's private mode with Tor.

4. Browser extensions can collect your data

By default, browser extensions are turned off in private browsing sessions. But you can enable them. If you allow certain extensions to run in private mode, they can collect data about the sites you visit and your activities. So, even if you think your activity is private, these extensions may be tracking you in the background.

In Chrome, you can see which extensions are active in private mode by clicking the extensions icon next to the main menu. To prevent an extension from running in private mode, go to the extensions page. Click "Details" for the extension you want to block, and turn off the setting that allows it to work in incognito mode. You can easily manage this type of permission in other browsers as well.

5. Incognito mode doesn’t protect you from malware

Many people think that using incognito mode makes them completely safe from online threats. But this is a big misconception. Incognito mode doesn’t protect you from malicious websites, risky downloads, or harmful scripts. If you encounter dangerous content, your device is just as vulnerable as it is during a normal browsing session.

Therefore, you should take all security precautions even when browsing privately. You can use tools like VirusTotal to scan suspicious files and links. Keep your anti-malware security enabled, and don’t turn off your browser’s built-in security and privacy features. Always exercise the same precautions as you would during regular browsing.

6. Websites can track and identify you

When you browse in private mode, websites can collect device-specific information to determine your IP address and build a detailed profile of you. This means you can still be targeted with ads. If you log in to an account like Google or Facebook while in incognito, your activity will still be tracked to your account or profile. This type of tracking can be linked to the law.

While it's difficult to completely eliminate this type of tracking, it can be reduced by using privacy-focused browsers like Brave. Also, don't log in to your important accounts while browsing privately. For example, if you want to watch a YouTube video or view a Facebook or Instagram profile, doing so without signing in will not affect your main account.

Therefore, it's important to understand that incognito mode won't protect you from many types of threats. Take the steps suggested above to protect your data, privacy, and security. While these precautions won't eliminate all risks completely, they can greatly help reduce them.