Key Takeaways
- Incognito keeps your activity secret from other people using your PC.
- It does NOT hide your activity from your ISP, School, or Employer.
- Your IP address is still fully visible.
- It is useful for logging into multiple accounts at once.
Many people think "Incognito" or "Private" mode makes them invisible online. That is a dangerous myth that could get you in trouble.
What it DOES do
Incognito mode prevents your browser from saving local data. Once you close the window, it deletes:
- Your browsing history.
- Cookies and site data.
- Information entered in forms (passwords, addresses).
This is great for buying surprise gifts on a shared computer or checking your email on a hotel lobby PC.
What it DOES NOT do
Incognito mode does not hide your activity from the network. The following entities can still see every site you visit:
- Your ISP: They log your DNS requests.
- Your Employer/School: If you are on their Wi-Fi, they can see your traffic.
- The Websites: Amazon still knows it's you if you log in, even in Incognito.
- Hackers: A man-in-the-middle attack works just fine on Incognito users.
Reality Check
Your IP address is still fully visible to the internet in Incognito mode. To actually hide your activity from networks, you need encryption (like a VPN or Tor), not just a cleared history folder.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can the police recover Incognito history?
From the computer itself? Likely no, if the window was closed. From your ISP? Yes, absolutely. Your ISP keeps logs of your activity regardless of what browser mode you used.
Does Chrome track me in Incognito?
This is a subject of lawsuits. While Chrome doesn't save history to your local device, if you visit a site with Google Analytics or Google Ads, Google's servers still receive data about your visit.
Is your IP hidden?
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