Many people believe that using “incognito” mode” or “private browsing” in their web browsers offers complete privacy and protection from prying eyes.
Some even think it can shield them from authorities or prevent any record of their online activity from being traced. However, that’s a big mistake.
What’s incognito mode?
Most web browsers, whether you’re using Chrome, Firefox, Safari or Microsoft Edge, have a feature that allows you to browse the internet without saving your history, “cookies” from websites or form data once you close the window out.
A casual search through your phone won’t reveal what websites you’ve visited or the images you’ve viewed. It’s like the browsing never happened, which is great if you’re:
- Researching divorce and don’t want your spouse to know
- Looking for an anniversary or birthday present for a significant other
- Researching a sensitive health issue and don’t want your family to find out
However, incognito mode is still fairly limited. Despite its benefits, incognito mode does not offer complete anonymity or security. Your internet service provider (ISP) can still track your browsing activity, and so can your employer or network administrator if you happen to be on a work computer or using the office Wi-Fi.
So, too, can the police. If you become the target of a criminal investigation, incognito mode won’t prevent the police from accessing your browsing history through subpoenas and warrants to your ISP. The authorities can see which websites you’ve visited and still obtain logs of your movement on the web, searches and messages.
Your digital fingerprint is a lot more visible than you may realize. If you find yourself facing a criminal investigation and your web activity may become an issue, it’s important to discuss the situation with your defense.