What incognito mode does and does not do
Incognito mode (called Private Browsing in Safari, InPrivate in Edge) stops your browser from saving your search history, cookies, and temporary files on your device. When you close an incognito window, that session disappears — your browser forgets what sites you visited and what you typed into forms.
What it does not do: incognito mode does not hide your activity from your internet service provider, your employer's network, or the websites you visit. Those sites still see you arrive, still collect data about what you do there, and still place tracking cookies on you. If you are trying to keep data brokers from collecting information about you in the first place, incognito mode alone will not stop that. It only stops your own device from remembering.
For the purpose of researching data brokers or removing yourself from their sites, incognito mode is useful because it prevents your browser from auto-filling forms with saved information, and it keeps your search history separate from your normal browsing. It is a small privacy layer, not a complete shield.
Key Takeaways
- Incognito mode prevents your browser from saving your search history and cookies, but does not hide your activity from websites or your internet provider.
- Each browser has its own incognito feature: Chrome and Edge call it Incognito, Safari calls it Private Browsing, and Firefox calls it Private Window.
- When researching data brokers, incognito mode stops your browser from auto-filling personal information into forms and keeps that research separate from your normal history.
- Closing an incognito window deletes the session, but websites you visited still have records of your visit on their own servers.
How to open incognito mode in Chrome
Open Chrome and use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+Shift+N (Windows) or Command+Shift+N (Mac). A new window will open with a dark theme and an incognito icon in the top left corner. You can also right-click the Chrome icon on your taskbar or dock, then select "New incognito window" from the menu.
Once you are in an incognito window, browse normally. When you close that window, Chrome will not save the sites you visited, the searches you performed, or the passwords you entered. If you need to open multiple incognito windows at once, you can — each one is a separate session.
How to open private browsing in Safari
Open Safari and click File in the menu bar, then select New Private Window. On an iPhone or iPad, tap the tabs icon (two overlapping squares) in the bottom right, then tap Private and + to open a new private tab. The address bar will appear darker than in normal mode.
Safari will not save your history, search history, or autofill information while you are in a private window. When you close the window or tab, that session is gone. You can switch between private and normal tabs in the same Safari window — they do not interfere with each other.
How to open incognito mode in Edge
Open Microsoft Edge and use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+Shift+P (Windows) or Command+Shift+N (Mac). A new window labeled "InPrivate" will open. You can also click the three-dot menu icon in the top right, select New InPrivate window, or right-click the Edge icon on your taskbar.
Edge will not save your browsing history, search history, cookies, or site data while you are in an InPrivate window. Like Chrome, you can open multiple InPrivate windows at the same time, and each one is independent.
How to open a private window in Firefox
Open Firefox and use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+Shift+P (Windows) or Command+Shift+P (Mac). A new window will open with a purple mask icon, indicating private browsing mode. You can also click the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the top right, then select New Private Window.
Firefox will not save your history, cookies, or search terms in a private window. When you close the window, that session is deleted. Firefox also offers a setting to block many tracking scripts by default in private windows — you can adjust this in Settings > Privacy & Security > Enhanced Tracking Protection.
What to do before you start researching data brokers
Open an incognito or private window before you visit any data broker websites or search for information about removing yourself from them. This prevents your browser from storing the URLs of those sites or auto-filling your personal information if a form appears.
Do not assume that incognito mode will prevent the data broker itself from collecting information about you. The site will still see your visit, your IP address, and any information you enter into its forms. Incognito mode only affects what your own device remembers. If you are concerned about the data broker tracking you further, consider using a VPN (virtual private network) as well, though that is a separate tool with its own trade-offs.
What happens after you close an incognito window
When you close an incognito window, your browser deletes the history, cookies, and cached files from that session. Your device will have no record that you visited those sites. However, the websites themselves still have records — they logged your visit on their servers, and they may have collected data about you while you were there.
If you entered personal information into a form on a data broker site, that information is now in the data broker's database, not just in your browser history. Closing the incognito window does not erase what you submitted to the site. You will need to follow the data broker's own removal process to request that your information be deleted from their records.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does incognito mode hide me from my internet service provider?
No. Your internet service provider can still see which websites you visit and when, even in incognito mode. Incognito mode only hides your activity from your own device and browser. If you want to hide your activity from your ISP, you would need a VPN, which is a different tool.
Can websites tell I am using incognito mode?
Most websites cannot reliably detect incognito mode, but some can. What matters more is that websites can still see your IP address, track your behavior on their site, and place cookies on you — incognito mode does not stop any of that. The site will have a record of your visit regardless.
If I use incognito mode, will data brokers not collect my information?
Incognito mode will not prevent a data broker from collecting information about you if you visit their site or enter your details into a form. It only stops your browser from remembering that you were there. To prevent data brokers from holding your information, you need to request removal directly from each broker.
What is the difference between incognito mode and a VPN?
Incognito mode hides your browsing history from your device. A VPN hides your IP address and encrypts your traffic from your internet provider and the websites you visit. They serve different purposes — you can use both at the same time, but neither one alone will stop data brokers from collecting your information.
Do I need to clear my cache if I use incognito mode?
No. Incognito mode automatically clears the cache, cookies, and history from that session when you close the window. You do not need to manually clear anything. Your normal browsing history and cache remain separate and untouched.