Open an incognito tab to browse without saving your history
An incognito tab (also called private browsing) is a browser window that does not save your search history, cookies, or the websites you visit. When you close the tab, your browser forgets you were there. This is useful when you are researching data brokers or entering personal information on unfamiliar websites — your browser will not store a record of what you looked at or what you typed.
The steps differ slightly depending on which browser you use, but the process takes about five seconds. You do not need to install anything or change any settings.
Key Takeaways
- Incognito tabs prevent your browser from saving your search history, cookies, and visited websites once you close the tab.
- Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge all have incognito or private browsing modes built in — you access them through a keyboard shortcut or the menu.
- Incognito mode does not hide your activity from your internet service provider, employer, or the websites you visit; it only hides it from your own browser history.
- You can open multiple incognito tabs at once, and closing one does not affect the others.
How to open incognito in Google Chrome
Press Ctrl + Shift + N on Windows or Command + Shift + N on Mac. A new window will open with a dark theme and a small incognito icon (a spy hat) in the top left corner. You are now browsing in incognito mode.
If you prefer using the menu instead, click the three vertical dots in the top right corner of Chrome, then select "New incognito window" from the dropdown. The keyboard shortcut is faster once you memorize it.
How to open private browsing in Firefox
Press Ctrl + Shift + P on Windows or Command + Shift + P on Mac. A new window will open with a dark purple theme and a mask icon in the top left. This is Firefox's private browsing mode.
You can also click the menu button (three horizontal lines) in the top right, then select "New Private Window." Firefox will remember you chose private mode and can open new private windows faster the next time if you use the keyboard shortcut.
How to open private browsing in Safari
Click the "File" menu at the top of your screen, then select "New Private Window." Safari will open a new window with a dark theme. You will see "Private" written in the address bar area to confirm you are in private mode.
Safari does not have a keyboard shortcut for private browsing built in by default, so the menu method is the standard way to open it. Each new private window is separate, so you can have both regular and private windows open at the same time.
How to open InPrivate in Microsoft Edge
Press Ctrl + Shift + P on Windows or Command + Shift + P on Mac. A new window will open with a dark theme and an "InPrivate" label in the top left corner. Edge calls its private mode "InPrivate browsing."
You can also click the three-dot menu in the top right and select "New InPrivate window." The keyboard shortcut works the same way as Firefox, so if you switch between the two browsers, the shortcut will feel familiar.
What incognito mode does and does not do
Incognito mode stops your browser from storing your search history, cookies, temporary files, and the list of websites you visited. When you close the incognito window, that record is deleted. This means if someone else uses your computer, they will not see where you went or what you searched for.
Incognito mode does not hide your activity from your internet service provider, your employer's network, or the websites themselves. If you log into a data broker website in incognito mode, that website still knows who you are and what you did there. Your internet service provider can still see which websites you visited. If you are on a work network, your employer can still see your traffic. Incognito is about keeping your browser history private from other people who use your computer, not about hiding from the internet itself.
Tips for using incognito safely when researching data brokers
Open an incognito tab before you search for data broker removal pages or enter your personal information. This prevents your browser from storing cookies that track your activity across websites. Close the incognito window when you are finished — do not leave it open in the background.
If you are on a shared computer, incognito mode is especially useful because it leaves no trace in the browser history. However, if you are concerned about your internet service provider or network administrator seeing your activity, incognito mode will not protect you. In that case, you would need a different tool, but for the purpose of removing yourself from data broker sites, incognito browsing is sufficient to keep your local browser history clean.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can websites tell I am using incognito mode?
Most websites cannot tell whether you are in incognito mode or regular browsing. Some websites may detect it using technical methods, but they cannot see your identity or your browser history. They can only see what you do on their site in that moment.
Does incognito mode protect me from viruses or malware?
No. Incognito mode only affects your browser history and cookies. It does not protect you from downloading infected files or visiting dangerous websites. Use the same caution in incognito mode as you would in regular browsing.
Can I save bookmarks in incognito mode?
Yes. Bookmarks you create in incognito mode are saved to your regular browser bookmarks and will appear after you close the incognito window. Only your history and cookies are deleted when you close the tab.
What happens if I close an incognito window by accident?
The browsing history from that window is deleted when ready. You cannot recover it. If you were in the middle of filling out a form, you will need to start over in a new incognito window.
Can I have both regular and incognito tabs open at the same time?
Yes. Incognito windows are separate from your regular browser windows. You can have multiple regular windows and multiple incognito windows open at once, and they do not affect each other.