Random Incognito Browsers (15 items)

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  (#6) Do The Websites Still Know I'm Visiting Them?

  Yes, they do. Even in incognito mode, your IP address is still attached to your actions and browsing, so when you go to a website, it has a record of you having been there, even if your computer doesn't. The server for that website gets a request from your computer, specifically from your IP address, so it will have that logged and will be able to access your IP information if need be. They will see what parts of the websites you clicked on, how many times you clicked, and anything you decided to save or download. This happens when you stream content, too.

  So, what info are websites getting about you, besides your activity? Your IP address shares your location, your provider, your browser, and sometimes even your physical address. There are laws about how sites can use this information, but it's still all attached to that online address.
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  (#10) Will Adobe Flash Still Find A Way To Store Website Information?

  When private browsing was originally introduced, websites started using Adobe Flash as a means of getting around Internet privacy settings. The Adobe Flash plug-in could be used to put cookies on a computer in privacy mode, and Flash wasn't compatible enough with private modes at the time to stop the process.

  However, nowadays Flash supports private browsing, and won't store data when you're in incognito mode. There may be a lot of concerns about what incognito mode allows, but luckily, this is no longer one of them.
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  (#11) Can I Browse Incognito And Normally At The Same Time?

  Absolutely! Private browsing modes do not have you logged into any of your websites. They act as their own, separate browsing sessions, with no direct connection to any other windows you open. So, if you open a normal browser window as well as an incognito one, they won't actually communicate with each other.

  Because of this, if you have more than one Facebook or email account, you can open both of those accounts right there on your screen, without having to log in and out to switch between the two.
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  (#9) Will Incognito Mode Keep Me From Getting Hacked Or Getting Viruses?

  Only somewhat. What incognito mode can do is make it difficult for anyone who gets access to your computer to look back at your history in order to hack you. There won't be autofill records of your bank log-ins, passwords, or personal information, as long as you've avoided running programs that store that data.

  However, incognito mode does not make your computer itself any safer. If there's any spyware on your computer, hackers will still be able to see what you're doing while you're browsing. Additionally, private browsing modes can't stop you from downloading files that have viruses, or opening emails that can download viruses automatically.
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  (#14) What Happens If I Download Something?

  When you download something, that file goes to your computer. When your Internet session is done and you shut down your incognito browser, that file just stays there. Essentially, you now own it. Your hard drive functions just fine without an Internet connection, and that's where all downloaded files are stored, unless you put them on a separate device. Deleting your browser history or going incognito won't change that, and won't hide the fact that you downloaded them, either. 

  Additionally, any bookmarks you make while you're doing some private browsing will remain after your session is over, so those will still be visible if anyone curious uses your computer afterwards.
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  (#1) How Much Information Does My Browser Usually Store?

  When you visit sites and search for stuff, your browser stores certain data concerning your Internet history. For example, when you visit a specific site, your browser logs that visit into your browser history, and will also save cookies from the websites. It also saves form data, which helps you fill in passwords, addresses, and other information more quickly.

  Cookies are itty bitty files that are stored on your computer, designed to contain very specific data about you and your activities. Web servers can access this information later; it allows them to tailor ads and pages to your preferences, without you having to do a thing. In theory, cookies are pretty cool.

  However, cookies also temporarily save a history of files you've downloaded, passwords, searches, and parts of web pages. This means that if you start to type in a search, it may fill in the rest if you've made a lot of similar searches in the past. This can be problematic if a lot of other users look at your computer, and it means that a lot of sites are getting tiny pieces of information about you.

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