Private Browsing: What InPrivate, Incognito and Private Windows Really Do

Private browsing mainly protects privacy on the device you are using

Modern browsers provide a separate browsing mode that limits the local traces left after the private session ends. Microsoft calls it InPrivate, Chrome calls it Incognito, Firefox calls it Private Browsing, and Safari uses Private Browsing.

This can be useful on a shared computer, when testing a site without normal-session cookies, or when you do not want the browser to retain the session's history and site data in the usual way.

What normally disappears after the private session ends?

Exact behavior varies by browser, but the common purpose is to avoid keeping normal local browsing history and temporary session data after all private windows or tabs are closed.

• Visited pages are generally not added to the normal browsing history.
• Private-session cookies and site data are normally discarded when the private session ends.
• Form and search entries are not retained in the same way as a normal browsing session.
• The private session is separated from the normal browser session, which can be useful for signing into a site separately.

Private browsing is not anonymous browsing

A private window does not hide your activity from every party involved in the connection. The websites you visit can still receive information about your visit, and a workplace, school or internet provider may still be able to observe network activity.

• It does not automatically hide your IP address.
• It does not prevent websites from identifying you when you sign in.
• It does not make a malicious website safe.
• It does not automatically block every tracker.
• It does not erase files you deliberately download.
• Bookmarks or favorites you intentionally save can remain after the session.

The feature has different names, but a similar core purpose

Browser features change over time, so use the browser's own Help documentation when you need the exact current privacy behavior or menu location.

Downloads and saved bookmarks can remain

Closing a private session does not normally delete a file you downloaded to the computer. Microsoft Edge and Firefox both explicitly document that downloaded files remain, and bookmarks/favorites that you choose to save can also remain.

If you are using a shared device, check the Downloads folder and any file you intentionally saved before leaving the computer.

Private mode helps, but an untrusted computer is still an untrusted computer

1. Open a private browsing window before signing into a temporary session.
2. Do not choose “Remember me” or intentionally save a password on a shared machine.
3. Avoid highly sensitive banking or account-recovery work on a public computer when possible.
4. Close all private windows when you finish so the private session actually ends.
5. Check for files you downloaded or documents you saved locally.
6. Sign out of important accounts before closing the session when the site provides a sign-out option.

Use private browsing for local session privacy, not as a promise of anonymity

Private browsing is useful when you want a temporary browser session that leaves fewer traces in normal browser history. It is especially helpful on shared devices and for cookie/session testing, but websites, networks and downloaded files can still reveal activity.