Activating Incognito Browsing Mode in Your Browser

The term incognito browsing encompasses a wide array of precautions that Web surfers can take to ensure that their activity on the Web cannot be traced. Motives for incognito browsing are plenty, with both privacy and safety at the forefront of many Internet users' minds. Whatever the inspiration for browsing privately may be, the bottom line is that many people want to avoid leaving tracks behind.

Proxy Servers for Incognito Browsing

Incognito browsing can involve utilizing firewalls and proxy servers to prevent those in the outside world from viewing Web surfing activity, including rogue individuals as well as Internet Service Providers and even the government. These types of incognito browsing measures are commonly used in countries where access is limited as well as at the workplace or on campus.

Incognito Browsing via Specialized Applications

Some browsers are designed to achieve this type of anonymity without a great deal of user intervention. Tor Browser is a perfect example of this, distributing your incoming and outgoing traffic through a series of virtual tunnels. WhiteHat Aviator, meanwhile, takes a more security-centric approach. For those concerned with censorship, PirateBrowser may offer a solution.

Incognito Browsing Within the Web Browser

For many Web surfers, however, incognito browsing involves clearing their tracks from others who may have access to the same computer or mobile device that they're currently using. Most popular Web browsers offer ways to browse privately, with no history or other private data such as cache or cookies left behind at the end of your browsing session.

How to Activate Incognito Browsing

The methods for activating this type of incognito browsing differ across browsers, operating systems, and device types. The following step-by-step tutorials teach you how to browse privately in the browser of your choice.

Incognito Browsing in Internet Explorer 11

IE11 offers incognito browsing in the form of its InPrivate Browsing mode, easily activated via the browser's Safety menu or through a simple keyboard shortcut. With InPrivate Browsing active, IE11 does not save any private data files such as cache and cookies. Browsing and search history are also wiped out while using incognito browsing within Internet Explorer. This incognito browsing tutorial steps you through the process.

Incognito Browsing in Other Versions of IE

Incognito Browsing in IE10

Incognito Browsing in IE9

Incognito Browsing in IE8 More »

Incognito Browsing in Google Chrome

incognito browsing in Chrome — (Photo © Google)

Desktop/Laptop Users

In Google Chrome, incognito browsing can be achieved through the magic of Incognito Mode. While surfing the Web incognito, your history and other private data are not saved on your hard drive. Entering incognito browsing mode in Chrome is easy to do, and our step-by-step tutorial shows you how it's done.

Mobile Users

How to Activate Incognito Mode in Chrome for iOS Devices More »

Incognito Browsing in Mozilla Firefox

Desktop/Laptop Users

Incognito browsing in Firefox involves utilizing Private Browsing mode, where sensitive items such as cookies and download history are never recorded locally. Activating Private Browsing is a simple process, and this incognito browsing tutorial makes it even simpler for Linux, Mac, and Windows users.

Mobile Users

How to Use the Firefox Focus Browser for iOS

How to Activate Private Browsing Mode in Firefox for iOS Devices More »

Incognito Browsing in Apple Safari

incognito browsing in Safari — (Photo © Apple Inc.)

Mac OS X Users

Incognito browsing in Apple's Safari browser can be accomplished by entering Private Browsing mode via the Action menu. While in Private Browsing mode all private data including browsing history and AutoFill information is not kept, ensuring an incognito browsing experience. This graphical tutorial explains how to use Private Browsing mode in Safari for OS X.

Windows Users

Incognito Browsing in Safari for Windows

iPhone and iPod touch Users

Incognito Browsing in Safari for iOS More »

Incognito Browsing in Microsoft Edge

The Microsoft Edge browser in Windows 10 allows incognito browsing via its InPrivate Browsing mode, accessible through the More actions menu. Our step-by-step tutorial explains how to activate and utilize incognito browsing within Edge. More »

Incognito Browsing in Opera

Desktop/Laptop Users

Opera allows you to enable incognito browsing in your choice of a new tab or new window. Depending on your preference, the private tab or window can be accessed via the browser's Tabs and Windows menu or through a keyboard shortcut. Our incognito browsing tutorial details privacy in Opera for Linux, Mac OS X, and Windows operating systems.

Mobile Users

Incognito Browsing in Opera Mini for iOS Devices More »

Incognito Browsing in Dolphin Browser

Dolphin Browser for iOS devices offers a diverse feature set for iPad, iPhone and iPod touch users which include incognito browsing. Activated through its main menu button, Dolphin's Private Mode ensures that browsing history and other personal data generated during your browsing session are not saved on your device once the application is closed. More »