Is Incognito Mode Really Private? Spoiler: It Isn’t. (2024)

1. Incognito mode is more like “no history” mode

As its disclaimer warns, incognito mode (also known as private browsing/InPrivate mode in some browsers), only hides your browsing history/cache on your device. If you’re looking to be truly anonymous online, incognito mode falls short: your IP address and location are still visible to your ISP, the websites you visit and perhaps even your network administrator!

The “eavesdropping” from third parties isn’t even the end of it. Extensions enabled in incognito can also track your internet activity in incognito.

2. Incognito mode doesn’t wipe your local footprint

Even while incognito, traces of your browsing session can remain on your computer. Even though shutting an incognito browser removes all files created during the browsing session, some artifacts might still be recoverable using forensics techniques.

The privacy risk is compounded with human error: you may end up saving confidential documents without realizing it, or accidentally creating bookmarks with the stroke of a hotkey. This can be especially tricky if you’re using a computer that others also use, like at a library or cafe.

3. Incognito mode doesn’t encrypt your data

Incognito mode lacks the shield of encryption for your data. This means that while your browsing history and activity might not be saved on your own device, it can still be seen by anyone monitoring your internet connection. The upshot? Your online actions could potentially be intercepted via MITM (man-in-the-middle) attacks and accessed by third parties, nullifying the notion of true privacy that many associate with incognito mode.

Here’s an example: imagine using Incognito Mode to research a sensitive medical condition. If your device is compromised (an increasingly likely possibility in today’s threatscape), you run the risk of having your searches fall into malicious hands, exposing yourself to blackmail.

4. Incognito mode does nothing to protect your safety

Anyone who uses incognito mode would expect a measure of safety; it’s common for people to “test” suspicious links using it. But private browsing modes do not confer additional protection — your passwords and other sensitive information can still be compromised. You could still be a victim to browser exploits.

Moreover, the potential risks extend beyond interactions with unfamiliar links. It is entirely possible for trusted websites to be hacked and deliver malware to your device. Browser-based exploits and elusive zero-day attacks can also occur, exposing you to unforeseen dangers.

Overall, incognito mode doesn’t keep you truly private: websites can still track you on your device.

That’s where our solution helps: SquareX is a Chrome extension that offers true anonymity in online browsing. Our extension contains 3 core features that not only ensure privacy, but also enhance safety and productivity:

Is Incognito Mode Really Private? Spoiler: It Isn’t. (5)

🌍 Disposable Browser: All it takes is a single click to spin up a disposable browser session. Our unique technology projects” compressed web content to the user, resulting in a 100% safe and fast browsing experience.

👀 Disposable File Viewer: Effortlessly view and edit suspicious files without worrying about malware infections. All threats are contained in the Disposable File Viewer and all files are deleted forever as soon as you end your session.

📬 Disposable Email: This temporary, secure, and anonymous burner email address protects your identity and secures you from data breaches. Keep spam away from your personal email address, ensuring a clean and clutter-free inbox.

With these features, you can begin to see how SquareX trumps incognito mode: it goes beyond providing privacy and comes with additional safety features. Let’s see how SquareX addresses the shortcomings of incognito mode.

1. SquareX’s Disposable Browsers are, by their nature, fully anonymous

When it comes to privacy protection, SquareX and Incognito mode are miles apart. Its disposable browser offers complete privacy protection: all browsing sessions are fully private and encrypted, which leaves no room for anyone to access your browsing history, credentials or any other sensitive information. Even better, you can “burn” the browser after each session, ensuring all traces of your online activities are thoroughly erased.

The isolation that SquareX provides eliminates the risk of any residual traces or cross-session tracking, resulting in a truly anonymous experience for users.

2. SquareX keeps the user safe

As mentioned, incognito mode offers zero protection against browser exploits or malware. This is where the SquareX disposable browser shines: since the disposable browser “projects” web content to you, any threats are contained within its isolated environment.

The technology used goes beyond the scope of this article, but essentially, your own device cannot be affected by any threats — as if you never visited the site! The included disposable file viewer and email also work together to keep you safe from malicious files and attachments.

We’ll put it this way: incognito mode can give a false sense of privacy and security, potentially leading to risky online behaviour. With SquareX, you can take any risk without being in actual danger.

3. SquareX keeps you anonymous beyond the browser

Our extension protects your privacy in a multifaceted way. The included disposable file viewer and email let you stay invisible when you need to provide an email address or deal with secret documents. Similar to the disposable browser, they can also be permanently “burnt”.

In short: SquareX confers anonymity in a holistic way, whereas private browsing modes have a far narrower scope.

4. BONUS: Access geo-restricted content with SquareX

Although not exactly privacy-related, being able to access geo-restricted content is one of the reasons why users want to be anonymous. Unfortunately, incognito mode doesn’t help you bypass such restrictions. After all, you’re still on the same browser which supports only content tied to where you are physically, unless you use a VPN (virtual private network).

In contrast, the SquareX Disposable Browser gives you access to content across geographies without the hassle of paying for and configuring a VPN service — which also comes with a host of security and privacy issues!

In summary, both SquareX and Incognito mode provide privacy protection, but to varying degrees. Incognito mode only prevents your browsing history from being recorded, but SquareX has a comprehensive set of features that offers true privacy.

We would say that when it comes to privacy, incognito mode and the SquareX Chrome extension are valid options — depending on your use case, and as long as you understand the limitations of incognito mode. But given these shortcomings, we posit that SquareX emerges as a solid answer — a reliable defence against the vulnerabilities we’ve just explored. And given that it’s free to download, even we have to admit it’s a pretty compelling proposition.

Is Incognito Mode Really Private? Spoiler: It Isn’t. (6)

SquareX is the brainchild of renowned hacker Vivek Ramachandran, and is backed by prominent VC firm Sequoia Capital. As of writing, we have thousands of users from over 130 countries and a 5-star rating on the Chrome Store.

Download the SquareX extension now and experience a safer and more private browsing experience. Available for Chrome, Brave and Edge, SquareX lets you enjoy secure, ad-free multi-geography browsing, open malicious files safely and keep your personal inbox secure. What more could you ask for? 😉