Why You Should Never Use Incognito
Hiding your identity online is more important than breathing! All right, so maybe that’s a slight exaggeration, but you can’t deny that there are certain reasons why people prefer to stay anonymous while browsing the internet. Too many companies and websites collect our personal information, and who knows what they’re doing with it. That’s where Incognito mode comes in.
Google’s Incognito mode is a feature that’s been around for a while now, and it’s meant to give you more privacy when browsing the web. It promises that your activities won’t be saved to your browser or search history, and any cookies or website data will disappear once you’ve closed the tab.
Sounds like a dream come true, right? Well, not quite.
Although surfing the web under Incognito mode – without leaving any digital footprints – is helpful, it does have its drawbacks, and I’m here to tell you all about them.
8 reasons why you shouldn’t use Incognito mode
1. It doesn’t make you invisible
Firstly, let’s get one thing straight – using Incognito mode does not make you completely anonymous online. Sure, it might hide your browsing history from anyone who uses your computer after you’re done surfing the web, but it won’t protect you from prying eyes (like hackers or your ISP) while you’re online.
2. Your internet activity can still be tracked
Using anonymous web browsers isn’t a foolproof way to stay hidden on the internet; sites can still see what you’re doing and track your online activities. They use things like tracking cookies, web beacons, and other technologies to monitor your browsing habits.
3. It won’t protect you from malware or viruses
Incognito mode is not a substitute for antivirus software or secure browsing practices. If you’re using a public network or visiting unfamiliar sites, it’s still essential to take measures to keep yourself safe from potentially dangerous content.
4. It can give you a false sense of security
One big problem with Incognito mode is it can make users think they’re safer than they actually are. Just because you’re hiding your browsing activity from others who might use the same computer, it doesn’t, as previously stated, mean that your internet activities are completely anonymous.
This false sense of security could potentially lead you to take unnecessary risks online or engage in unsafe behaviors.
5. Your password managers and extensions won’t work
Another downside to Incognito mode is that it disables most extensions and password managers. If you’re used to using extensions like ad-blockers or grammar checkers, they won’t work in Incognito mode.
Similarly, if your browser usually saves your passwords for convenience’s sake, you’re out of luck here too. Password managers don’t work when browsing under the privacy cloak.
6. You constantly have to accept cookies
In Incognito mode, cookies are erased as soon as you close the window. Therefore, every time you open a new private browsing session, it will prompt you to accept cookies again. Now, I don’t know about you, but I find this process to be incredibly annoying.
7. Not all sites work in Incognito mode
Some websites won’t work properly while you’re using Incognito mode. Some sites require cookies to function correctly, and if you’ve turned them off in private browsing, it can cause issues on the site.
In addition, some organizations or businesses actively block users accessing their site while they’re browsing under a guise of anonymity.
8. It’s not a substitute for a good VPN
This is something that a lot of people don’t realize. Using Incognito mode is not a substitute for a good Virtual Private Network (VPN) service.
VPNs help encrypt your online traffic and mask your IP address from third parties on the internet. And unlike using Incognito mode, they do provide real privacy protection because they hide all of your online activities, including browsing history, search queries, and download activities.
Final thoughts
While Incognito mode might have some benefits, it’s not a foolproof way to protect your online privacy. Think of it as taking a baby step towards anonymizing yourself.
If you’re looking for an easy way to protect your online identity from prying eyes and stay safe on the internet, consider investing in a good VPN service. They’re very affordable these days, and there are plenty of options out there for you to choose from.
Nord VPN is a well-known VPN service provider that ensures you can securely browse the internet with anonymity, bypass geo-restrictions and access content from anywhere in the world. Plus, it has an easy-to-use interface, providing complete protection against online threats while maintaining speedy performance.
