VPNs and Incognito Mode are two of the most popular online privacy tools. They both hide your browsing history, but that's all they have in common. The incognito mode protects your privacy from other people who use your device, while a VPN keeps you anonymous and safe from everybody on the internet.
Read more to make the best choice for your privacy.
Curious to find out what the Internet already knows about you? Check it now!
Browsing in incognito mode. How anonymous are you?
When you are in your browser's incognito/ private mode option, it will not store the data of the sites you visited: no addresses, no cookies, none of the data or credentials you entered to log in. Your browser will not "remember" the web pages you visited, so they won’t appear in your history or "recent visited" tab, because it deletes them.
If anyone else uses your computer/ laptop, they won’t see what websites you visited in incognito mode.
But your IP and online activities remain visible to others: your wi-fi network administrators, people sharing a wi-fi network with you (for example, in a coffee shop), corporations, governments, hackers and your Internet service provider.
In incognito/private mode, you’re not browsing anonymously. You're just hiding from anoyone who has physical access to your computer/ laptop: partners, children, parents.
Browsing with a VPN. The real private browsing experience.
The best way to be online without being seen is to use a VPN. It encrypts all your data and gives you an IP address that can't be traced back to you.
You may find this useful in many situations besides browsing anonymously. For example, when shopping online (to keep your credit card info safe), when using public wi-fi (to prevent others from snooping on your device or stealing your personal information), when trying to access geo-restricted restricted content or get better deals for some products or services (airplane tickets, hotel bookings and more).
Bitdefender Premium VPN is made by security experts and it’s easy to set up and use. It gives you the security and privacy features you need to stay anonymous and safe on the internet.
When you subscribe to our premium VPN service, you get military-grade encryption for your data. Neither the government, nor your internet service provider, nor any third party can track, monitor or hack your activity.
Conclusion: Incognito mode is a useful yet thin layer of protection for your privacy. However, it works well in tandem with Bitdefender Premium VPN. Thus, you can protect your privacy from anybody you share your computer with and from third parties at the same time.
FAQs
They both hide your browsing history, but that's all they have in common. The incognito mode protects your privacy from other people who use your device, while a VPN keeps you anonymous and safe from everybody on the internet.
Is VPN safer than Incognito? ›
Incognito mode is great for privacy from the other users of your devices, while VPNs provide more comprehensive protection. But which VPN is right for you? Read our guide to the best VPN services to learn more.
Does Incognito really protect your privacy? ›
The terms “private search” and “incognito mode” sound great. But while your history is erased on your device, it's still visible to the outside world. Even when you're in incognito mode, websites, your ISP, and your network can still see your IP address and browsing history.
Does a VPN really hide your identity? ›
No, a VPN cannot make you anonymous. They help secure what you're doing, but your ISP still knows when you're using the internet.
How does VPN protect your privacy? ›
A VPN creates a secure tunnel between a user's computer and the VPN server, which hides their online activity and location. VPN security enables users to protect their online privacy and prevent their internet service provider (ISP) from tracking their browsing activity.
What VPN does not protect you from? ›
However, they can't protect against cookies, website-level tracking, malware or the information you voluntarily share online. Despite their limitations, VPNs remain an essential tool for enhancing online privacy.
Can the FBI see my search history incognito? ›
If you are already charged with a crime, your browser data (including your search history) can be subpoenaed by the prosecution. For instance, your internet history can be used against you to establish a motive for a crime or that you had the knowledge to commit a crime – even if you were browsing in “private” mode.
What are the disadvantages of incognito mode? ›
Some limitations of incognito mode are:
- It cannot hide your IP address from the websites you visit.
- Your activities are still be visible to your Internet Service Provider [ISP].
- If you're using someone else's hotspot, they can see your online activity, even if you're using incognito mode."
A lot of people think that using “private” mode or (or “incognito” mode, depending on your browser) hides their internet activity and will keep the police from finding out where they've been and what they've been doing – but this simply isn't true.
Can I be tracked if I use incognito mode? ›
Incognito mode doesn't prevent web tracking
Personal information like your device's IP address and what you're doing on a website (especially while logged in) is visible to others around the web who might be tracking you online.
You can't be tracked using a VPN because it encrypts your data. As a result, your ISP or bad actors can't get any information out of your traffic. They only see the VPN server's IP address (e.g. if you're connected to a US server, the US IP address is visible), while your real IP and online activities stay hidden.
Can police track VPN? ›
The good news is that there is almost no way to track live, encrypted VPN traffic. Law enforcement can only obtain data, if available, about websites visited and so on. Otherwise, hackers and snooping government agencies are generally blocked by the fact that the data is encrypted.
What does VPN hide me from? ›
A VPN encrypts your traffic and hides your IP address. As a result, it also hides your location, browsing history, searches, downloads, and any other activities, such as gaming or streaming. A VPN hides this information from bad actors, ISPs, websites, and even oppressive governments.
Are you really protected with a VPN? ›
While they will protect your IP and encrypt your internet history, but that is as much as they can do. They won't keep you safe, for instance, if you visit phishing websites or download compromised files. When you use a VPN, you are still at risk of: Trojans.
What is the most secure VPN? ›
The best secure VPN services in 2024
- ExpressVPN. An audited no-logs policy and sleek apps. ...
- NordVPN. The best all-in-one security suite. ...
- Private Internet Access (PIA) My top pick for Linux with a full stack of security tools. ...
- Proton VPN. A privacy-focused provider that you can try for free. ...
- Surfshark.
Are VPNs legal to use? In most countries VPNs are completely legal, including in the US, Canada, the UK, and most European and Latin American countries. However, VPNs are illegal in countries such as Belarus, Iran, Iraq, and Turkmenistan.
Does a VPN give you private browsing? ›
VPN protects your devices by wrapping your internet connection in a secure tunnel that only you can access. This stops people —like those nosey advertisers—from seeing what sites you visit. With a secure connection to the Internet, every search request, every website you browse, is hidden from sight.
Am I safe from hackers on VPN? ›
Yes, VPNs protect users from hackers. They hide users' real IP addresses, making it challenging for hackers to target them, and they can prevent various types of cyber attacks, including DDoS attacks, Man-in-the-Middle attacks, malware infections, session hijacking, and phishing attempts.
Can you be tracked in incognito mode? ›
Incognito mode only deletes your local search and browsing history — just the content on your computer. Websites, search engines, Internet service providers, and governments can still easily track you across the web.
Can anyone see my incognito history? ›
Incognito mode does not make you completely anonymous online. While it prevents your local device from storing browsing history, websites you visit, your internet service provider (ISP), and network administrators can still track your activities. It doesn't hide your IP address or encrypt your internet connection.
