Private browsing in Safari, or Incognito Mode in Chrome, allows you to surf the web without saving your browsing history, cookies, or search data on your device.
You can enhance your privacy by using a private browser like Brave or a VPN (Virtual Private Network). A VPN blocks trackers, encrypts your internet traffic, and hides your IP address. This makes it difficult for trackers and third parties to monitor your activity. Think of it as changing your house number and apartment to a different location online, adding an extra layer of protection.”
For information on VPNs and How they Work Refer Back to our prior post: What is a VPN and How Does it Work?
What does Private Browsing do…and what it won’t do!
This feature is useful for:
- Shopping or researching gifts without leaving a trace.
- Logging into accounts on shared devices.
- Testing websites without saved cookies affects your results.
What It Does:
- Prevents your browser from saving history, cookies, or autofill data.
- Ensures you will be logged out of accounts once you close the private browsing tab.
What It Doesn’t Do:
- Hide your activity from your internet provider or your employer (if on a work network).
- Block trackers or ads from the websites you visit.
How to Use Private Browsing on Your iPhone (Safari)
Open Safari. You will either see a grid of several previous tabs, or you will be in the last page that you opened.
If you are in the multi-tab view, you will see the option to switch to Private in the bottom left hand side of your screen, as show in the image to the right.
If in a page, tap the Tabs button first (the icon of two overlapping squares in the bottom-right corner) to get back to the multi-tab screen. Then tap Private in the bottom-left corner, then tap Done.
You can also tap the three dots/lines at the bottom of the screen and select Private.
When in Private mode, the search bar is dark instead of white to indicate that you are browsing privately.
If you tap the + sign in the bottom of your screen, when you are in Private mode, then you will switch into the screen show on the right.
Private Browsing is indicated when swapping over from normal browsing with the two large black boxes. Here we can see iPhone’s caveats and explanation of private browsing.
iCloud Private Relay is a privacy feature that hides your IP address and browsing activity from websites, trackers, and even Apple. By routing your internet traffic through two separate servers (larger computers, essentially), it ensures that no single entity can track your online activity. This feature enhances privacy and security while browsing in Safari on your iPhone.
How to use Incognito Mode in Chrome
Open Chrome. Tap the three dots (in the top right hand corner on desktop, bottom right hand corner on your phone). Select “New Incognito window”.
To the right, we have the typical incognito landing page for Google Chrome. It will be optimized to your device, so if on a computer it may display like this, or if on a phone it will optimize to the phone’s display.
Brave (for more privacy)
Why is Brave more private? Brave is more private because it blocks trackers, ads, and third-party cookies by default, preventing websites from collecting your data. It also uses private browsing with Tor to mask your IP address and encrypt your browsing activity. Unlike traditional browsers, Brave doesn’t store or sell your data, prioritizing user privacy and security.
First, download and open the Brave browser (available for Desktop, iOS and Android)
Brave works in very much the same way as Google Chrome and is based on Chromium. To open a private tab on Brave Tap the three dots in the top right corner to “pop” out the context menu. Most settings and context menus remain the same. The major difference here is the degree to which a client may opt out of telemetry and fingerprinting. Telemetry in this instance is a just fancy term for “less privacy”.
Brave Private Browsing is always a dark blue color and shows the text, “Search the web Privately” with a basic caveat at the bottom of the window explaining what it can and can’t do as a private browser.
Tips for Safe Browsing
Clear Cookies: Even in private mode, trackers can operate on some websites. Clearing cookies after browsing can help. By clearing the “History” we can clear the rest of the cookies and cached temp files.
Use HTTPS whenever possible: Look for the small lock icon, hidden under the button next to the website’s URL, if there a lock the site is considered safe generally.
Caveat: There are plenty of instances where HTTP, an older type of Internet protocol is still used. Older sites, personal and hobby sites, or local area access. The best practice is to be cautious about entering personal information on an unsecured website.
Use Secure Networks: Public Wi-Fi networks are often not secure, which means others could potentially see the information you are transmitting. Even when using private browsing, it’s best to avoid entering sensitive details like passwords or credit card numbers unless you’re on a trusted, secure network. If you must use public Wi-Fi, consider using a Virtual Private Network (VPN) to encrypt your connection and keep your data safe, or wait till your back on a trusted network.
Consider Dedicated Private Browsers: For added protection, browsers like Brave, Mullvad, and Firefox, offer enhanced privacy features beyond standard Incognito Mode.
Final Thoughts
Private browsing is a quick and easy way to keep your activity off shared devices, but it’s not a complete privacy solution. If you’re concerned about online tracking, try privacy-focused browsers like Brave for even greater control. Start browsing smarter and safer today!
Helpful Links
iPhone Private Browsing-Apple Support Page
What is Private Browsing-Brave Support Center
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