How safe is incognito or private mode for browsing? Here are the myths and realities

 How safe is incognito or private mode for browsing? Here are the myths and realities

Most internet users rely heavily on their browser's 'incognito' or 'private' mode to protect their privacy. But incognito mode cannot protect users from the most dangerous tracking system on the internet called 'browser fingerprinting'.

Browser fingerprinting is a technology that combines various technical features of your browser and device to create a unique identity for you. The JavaScript running in your browser collects details such as your screen resolution, graphics card (GPU) information, timezone, language settings, and operating system.

The information collected in this way is converted into a digital fingerprint through a 'hashing algorithm'. It can track your every activity and habits on the internet with high accuracy, without revealing your real name or address. This information can be sold to advertisers, so they can target you more effectively.

Why does incognito mode fail?

Many people think that incognito mode stops all tracking. But the reality is different. Incognito mode only prevents browsing history, cookies, and cache files from being saved locally on your device. When you close the incognito window, only this local data is deleted.

But fingerprinting collects data in 'real-time' as soon as a website loads. It has no control over the technical information that the browser sends out. Therefore, incognito mode and fingerprinting work with completely different types of data, making this mode inadequate for security.

What can you do to stay safe?

For those looking for an alternative to incognito mode, the Brave browser may be a good fit. Browsers like Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge do not have a robust anti-tracking system.

But Brave Browser's 'Brave Shields' automatically prevents fingerprinting. Similarly, Firefox also offers advanced tracking protection. However, for this, the user has to go into the settings and make some changes.

Complete protection impossible

Despite this, it is almost impossible to completely escape browser fingerprinting. If the user turns off features like JavaScript or WebGL to prevent tracking, most websites will not work.

Another interesting fact is that the more extensions or settings are changed for security, the more unique or different the user's browser looks. The more unique you look, the easier it is for tracking companies to recognize you.

Therefore, instead of making browsing too complicated, the best solution for now is to use modern browsers that have the ability to prevent fingerprinting.