{"id":8649,"date":"2026-05-28T23:56:56","date_gmt":"2026-05-28T21:56:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mybox.com\/help\/?post_type=manual_kb&#038;p=8649"},"modified":"2026-06-15T01:17:38","modified_gmt":"2026-06-14T23:17:38","slug":"how-incognito-mode-works-and-whether-it-provides-true-online-anonymity","status":"publish","type":"manual_kb","link":"https:\/\/mybox.com\/help\/en\/knowledgebase\/how-incognito-mode-works-and-whether-it-provides-true-online-anonymity\/","title":{"rendered":"How Does Private Browsing Mode Work?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"translation-block translation-block-merged\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Most modern web browsers offer a private browsing mode, often called <strong>Incognito Mode<\/strong> or <strong>Private Mode<\/strong>. This feature helps protect your privacy on the device you&#8217;re using, but it does not make you anonymous online.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_86 ez-toc-wrap-left counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/mybox.com\/help\/en\/knowledgebase\/how-incognito-mode-works-and-whether-it-provides-true-online-anonymity\/#What_Is_Private_Browsing_Mode\" >What Is Private Browsing Mode?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/mybox.com\/help\/en\/knowledgebase\/how-incognito-mode-works-and-whether-it-provides-true-online-anonymity\/#What_Private_Mode_Protects_Against\" >What Private Mode Protects Against<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/mybox.com\/help\/en\/knowledgebase\/how-incognito-mode-works-and-whether-it-provides-true-online-anonymity\/#What_Private_Mode_Does_Not_Protect_Against\" >What Private Mode Does Not Protect Against<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/mybox.com\/help\/en\/knowledgebase\/how-incognito-mode-works-and-whether-it-provides-true-online-anonymity\/#Can_Websites_Still_Track_You\" >Can Websites Still Track You?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/mybox.com\/help\/en\/knowledgebase\/how-incognito-mode-works-and-whether-it-provides-true-online-anonymity\/#Is_Private_Mode_Safe\" >Is Private Mode Safe?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/mybox.com\/help\/en\/knowledgebase\/how-incognito-mode-works-and-whether-it-provides-true-online-anonymity\/#Private_Mode_vs_VPN\" >Private Mode vs VPN<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/mybox.com\/help\/en\/knowledgebase\/how-incognito-mode-works-and-whether-it-provides-true-online-anonymity\/#Summary\" >Summary<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_Is_Private_Browsing_Mode\"><\/span>What Is Private Browsing Mode?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Private browsing is a special browser session that prevents certain data from being saved after the window is closed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n<div id=\"mybox-3743314450\" class=\"mybox-content mybox-entity-placement\"><div class=\"early-access-banner-inpost\">\r\n  <div class=\"banner-left-inpost\">\r\n    <div class=\"icon-box-inpost\">\r\n      <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/mybox.com\/help\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/square-info-icon.svg\" alt=\"Info\">\r\n    <\/div>\r\n    <div class=\"text-box-inpost\">\r\n      <span class=\"label-inpost\"><span class=\"translation-block translation-block-banner-text\">Early access<\/span><\/span>\r\n      <h4><span class=\"translation-block translation-block-banner-text\">Still need help?<\/span><\/h4>\r\n      <p><span class=\"translation-block translation-block-banner-text\">Contact our customer service team.<\/span><\/p>\r\n    <\/div>\r\n  <\/div>\r\n\r\n  <div class=\"banner-right-inpost\">\r\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/panel.mybox.com\/helpdesk2\/v\/list\/\" class=\"banner-button-inpost\"><span class=\"translation-block translation-block-banner-text\">Message us<\/span><\/a>\r\n  <\/div>\r\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"translation-block translation-block-merged\"><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When using private mode, the browser typically does not save:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Browsing history<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Cookies and site data after the session ends<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Search history<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Form entries<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Login sessions after the window is closed<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Once all private browsing windows are closed, this information is removed from the device.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_Private_Mode_Protects_Against\"><\/span>What Private Mode Protects Against<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Private mode is useful when:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Using a shared computer<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Logging into multiple accounts simultaneously<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Accessing personal accounts on a public device<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Preventing local browsing history from being saved<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For example, if you use private mode on a family computer, other users will not see the websites you visited after the session ends.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_Private_Mode_Does_Not_Protect_Against\"><\/span>What Private Mode Does Not Protect Against<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A common misconception is that private browsing provides complete anonymity. It does not.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Private mode does not hide your activity from:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Internet service providers (ISPs)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Employers or school networks<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Website operators<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Search engines<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Network administrators<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Websites can still see your IP address and collect information about your visit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Can_Websites_Still_Track_You\"><\/span>Can Websites Still Track You?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Yes. Although cookies are deleted after the session ends, websites can still use various techniques during your visit, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>IP address tracking<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Browser fingerprinting<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Account logins<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Analytics and monitoring tools<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Because of this, private browsing should not be considered an anonymity tool.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Is_Private_Mode_Safe\"><\/span>Is Private Mode Safe?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Private mode does not provide protection against:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Malware<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Viruses<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Phishing attacks<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Malicious downloads<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Fraudulent websites<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You should continue following standard security practices, including keeping your browser updated and avoiding suspicious websites.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Private_Mode_vs_VPN\"><\/span>Private Mode vs VPN<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Private browsing and VPNs serve different purposes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><th>Feature<\/th><th>Private Mode<\/th><th>VPN<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>Hides local browsing history<\/td><td>Yes<\/td><td>No<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Hides IP address from websites<\/td><td>No<\/td><td>Usually Yes<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Encrypts internet traffic<\/td><td>No<\/td><td>Yes<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Prevents ISP monitoring<\/td><td>No<\/td><td>Usually Yes<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Provides complete anonymity<\/td><td>No<\/td><td>No<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A VPN can improve privacy, but it also does not provide complete anonymity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Summary\"><\/span>Summary<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Private browsing mode helps protect your privacy on the device you are using by preventing browsing history, cookies, and other session data from being stored after the session ends. However, it does not make you anonymous online and does not hide your activity from websites, internet providers, employers, or network administrators.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Private mode should be viewed as a local privacy feature rather than a complete online privacy solution.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"template":"","format":"standard","manualknowledgebasecat":[28],"manual_kb_tag":[4522,5611,5612,6115,6997,6998,6999,7000,7001,7002],"class_list":["post-8649","manual_kb","type-manual_kb","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","manualknowledgebasecat-others","manual_kb_tag-cookies","manual_kb_tag-private-browsing","manual_kb_tag-incognito-mode","manual_kb_tag-search-history","manual_kb_tag-private-mode","manual_kb_tag-browser-privacy","manual_kb_tag-online-anonymity","manual_kb_tag-local-privacy","manual_kb_tag-browsing-history","manual_kb_tag-site-data"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/mybox.com\/help\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/manual_kb\/8649","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/mybox.com\/help\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/manual_kb"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/mybox.com\/help\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/manual_kb"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mybox.com\/help\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/mybox.com\/help\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/manual_kb\/8649\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":8650,"href":"https:\/\/mybox.com\/help\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/manual_kb\/8649\/revisions\/8650"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/mybox.com\/help\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8649"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"manualknowledgebasecat","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mybox.com\/help\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/manualknowledgebasecat?post=8649"},{"taxonomy":"manual_kb_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mybox.com\/help\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/manual_kb_tag?post=8649"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}