What is secret mode? What is private mode in the browser
In private mode, the behavior of the browser changes, be it Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, Internet Explorer, Apple Safari, Opera or any other option. However, nothing else changes.
How the browser usually works
IN normal mode The browser stores information about your web surfing history. When you visit a site, the browser records its address in a log, saves cookies and form data for later auto-filling. The browser also stores a history of downloads and search queries entered in the address bar, remembers user-selected passwords, and saves fragments of web pages so that they can be opened faster in the future (this is called caching).
If someone else is on your computer, they can easily access this information - for example, they will start typing something in the address bar, and the browser will suggest one of the sites you have previously visited. And in general, nothing prevents a stranger from opening your browser history and seeing what web pages you go to.
Saving some types of data can be disabled manually, but this is how all browsers work by default.
How the browser works in private mode
When you enable private mode (aka incognito mode in Google Chrome and InPrivate browsing in Internet Explorer), the browser does not save any of the above. When visiting sites in private mode, addresses, cookies, form data, etc. are not remembered. Some data - cookies, for example - are saved for the duration of browsing, but are destroyed when the browser is closed.
When private mode just appeared, some sites tried to outwit it by saving cookies using a plugin Adobe Flash, but now it also supports private mode and does not remember any data.
Private mode starts a separate browsing session: for example, if you log into Facebook normally and then open it in the same browser private window, in this window you will have to log in to Facebook again. This allows you to use private mode to log into several accounts on one site at the same time - for example, in normal mode you can log into your main Google account, and in a private window - to a second Google account.
With private mode, others won't be able to access your web browsing history because it simply isn't saved. In addition, in private mode, sites cannot track you using cookies. However, the private mode does not guarantee complete anonymity.
Threats on the computer itself
Private mode prevents the browser from storing information about web surfing, but does not in any way prevent other applications on the computer from spying on the user. If a keylogger or other spyware application has leaked into the system, it may well be observing what is being done in the browser. And on some computers a special software to monitor browser activity - private mode does not protect, for example, from programs parental controls, which take screenshots or record the history of visited sites.
In other words, private mode prevents strangers from knowing what sites you've been on after you've been there, but it doesn't stop them from spying on you while you surf the web if they have access to your computer. If your computer is securely protected, there is no need to worry about this.
Network activity monitoring
Private mode in browsers only applies to your own computer. The browser may not remember the history of web surfing, but is not able to destroy this history on other computers, servers and routers. Let's say that when you visit a website, traffic from your computer passes through several other servers before reaching that site's server. And in a corporate or university network, traffic also passes through a router, which may well store the browsing history if required by the employer or educational institution. And even if you are in home network, requests to sites go through an Internet provider, which can also record traffic. And after that, the request goes to the server of the site itself, which can record information about visitors.
Private mode does not protect against all of the above. It simply allows you not to store your web surfing history on local computer where others can see her. However, other systems continue to record your movements across the network space.
When viewing web pages, browsers (Yandex, Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox) save a lot of information. For example, browsing history, passwords for social network accounts and Email. But sometimes there is a need to hide traces of being on the Internet, for example, if you decide to secretly give a gift to a loved one or log into your mail while away. Incognito mode allows you to enable private browsing mode, when entered passwords, as well as addresses of sites and pages that you visited, are not saved.
What is private mode (aka “Incognito” and InPrivate)
This function is available in most popular browsers, sometimes there are different names for it. In Incognito mode, the browser does not save entered passwords, search queries, and addresses of visited pages. At the same time, changes in settings, downloaded files and added bookmarks are saved.
Remember: private tabs do not make you invisible to sites. If you log in to social network, your appearance will be noticed. Incognito mode is designed to hide your online history from other users of your computer. By opening a private tab, you instruct the browser not to use old cookies, cache, or local memory.
In incognito, only the browser does not store your Internet activity. Other sources may see what websites you visit, including:
- your employer (if you use an office computer);
- internet service provider;
- directly the websites you visit.
How to enable the mode in different browsers
In order to log in in private mode, you need to know what browser you are using. As a rule, the transition is indicated visually by an icon depicting a mask or glasses. How to open a private tab in Yandex Browser, Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, read on.
Google Chrome
Yandex browser
Opera
Mozilla Firefox
Microsoft Edge (Internet Explorer)
How to quickly open a private window using hotkeys
For quick launch Incognito mode, you can use hotkeys: in Google Chrome, Opera and Yandex Browser it is used Ctrl combination+ Shift + N. In Mozilla Firefox and Microsoft Edge used combination Ctrl+ Shift + P.
How to close or disable Incognito mode and exit private browsing
To return to normal browsing and disable the use of private mode, just close the window. After this, the browser will delete all cookies created while working in it. This method to remove Incognito mode is suitable for any browser, including the most popular: Yandex, Mozilla Firefox, Opera and Google Chrome.
Video instruction: how to log into Incognito
To make it easier for you to understand how to open private browsing in any browser, we have selected video instructions that clearly show several ways to switch to private mode.
If you need a computer while visiting, then in the best possible way You will not leave traces or passwords from your accounts while browsing in private mode, because this feature is implemented in every browser. When you use tabs or windows in private mode, data (such as history, temporary internet files, and cookies) is deleted from your computer as soon as you finish browsing.
IN this mode the browser will not save information about the actions performed in it. It's about your browsing history. cookies files, saved passwords, download history, autofill data, hosted application data, content licenses and other data.
Your work in the browser becomes completely private. All information about your network activity will be deleted.
For those who care about the protection of their personal information, this regime will be especially relevant. After all, your actions online are constantly are watching and keep records of statistical data. For example, the provider takes into account incoming/outgoing traffic from the PC you are using, search engines, based on your requests, select what to show you contextual advertising. This is how the browser collects all kinds of data about you.
To make surfing the net more safe We recommend using this mode of operation. It will not protect you from data collection by the provider, search engines and visited sites, but it will allow you not to save data about user actions in the browsing log, media files will not be saved in the cache, cookies, passwords, history will be cleared immediately after the end of the session. However, when authorization on any site under your account, your actions will be noticeable; you won’t be able to become “invisible” this way.
This is a great way to hide your activities from other users of the computer you use. Each user decides when there is a need to use it.
How to enable incognito in Yandex and Chrome
In Google Chrome and a very similar browser from Yandex, the procedure for enabling incognito is identical.
In the settings, mark “ New window in incognito mode"(or the same combination of pressed " Ctrl+Shift+N»).
The following window will appear. 
Notice in the left top corner appeared hat icon with glasses (spy), which symbolizes incognito enabled.
You can also make a click right key on any link on the network and select “ Open link in incognito mode». 
It should be noted that although information about your visits will not be saved in the browser, your presence on the sites you visit can be registered one way or another. For example, in a Google account. To avoid saving history when privacy is enabled, come out temporarily also from your account. This can be done by clicking on the icon settings and selecting Web search history.
Click Suspend.
Private mode in Opera
As for Opera, this mode is called Private. You can create a private tab by clicking on the menu button - Tabs and windows – Create a private tab.
You'll see message about enabling privacy mode. 
Then, a privacy icon (black glasses) will be attached to all new tabs.
The combination “ Ctrl+Shift+N».
How to disable incognito mode
You can disable it simply closing current window. The next time you open the browser, it will no longer work privately.
Private browsing mode prevents websites from placing cookies on the user's computer. Follow the guide in this article to enable private browsing on different browsers.
Implementing Private Browsing
In October 2011, Apple introduced iOS5 with built-in support for private browsing via mobile browser Safari.
Gone are the days of having to clear your browser's cache, cookies, and session history after visiting certain sites. Typically, teenagers are very conscious of their privacy online. They take extra care not to let their parents find out what web pages they opened and what they downloaded while they were on the site. Sometimes, regular users, also feel the need for private browsing mode to save online activity anonymous.
That's all today modern browsers have some sort of built-in private browsing mode. Currently Google time Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Internet Explorer, and Opera are the most popular browsers that support private browsing mode. So let's take a look at how to enable private browsing on different browsers.
Steps to enable private browsing
There are two simple methods, enable the mode on these browsers. Method number 1 in this manual will be based on key combination. Method #2 will take you through the browser menu.
GoogleChrome
You can enable private browsing in Google Chrome by opening a window in incognito mode using these methods:
Method No. 1:
Open Google Chrome and press Ctrl+Shift+N.
Method number 2:
Click on the "three horizontal lines" symbol located in close proximity to address bar in the upper right corner. Now, click on the "New window in incognito mode" button.
MozillaFirefox
Private browsing can be done in Firefox by opening a "new private window". Follow these steps.
Method No. 1:
Open Firefox and press Ctrl+ Shift+ P.
Method number 2:
Click on the "three" symbol horizontal lines" in the top right corner of Firefox, as shown in the screenshot, and then click on "Private Window".
Internet Explorer
Microsoft calls private browsing mode in Internet Explorer (IE) In Private Browsing. The steps to enable private browsing in IE are:
Method No. 1:
Open Internet Explorer and press Ctrl + Shift + P.
Method number 2:
Click on the gear icon in the top right corner Internet windows Explorer. Next go to the Security tab and then select "InPrivate Browsing".
Opera
You can use Opera's new private window to browse privately. Here are the steps to take:
Method No. 1:
Open Opera and press Ctrl+ Shift+ N.
Method number 2:
Click the Opera icon in the upper left corner of the Opera browser window, and then select “Create a private window.”
You must follow a similar procedure to enable private browsing in all browsers. So, if you know how to enable private browsing in one browser, then you can easily enable it in any other.
Incognito mode is a private mode of operation of the browser; when working in the browser, data about visited sites is not saved, search queries, other information about the user's activities. The browser, when visiting certain resources on the Internet, collects a certain amount of information about user actions.
Basically, this is necessary in order to quickly open the desired site, automatically enter previously entered data in the site login form, etc.
In some cases, the user needs to use the browser privately, without saving browsing and search history, and without leaving other traces of his activities. This may be necessary, for example, if you need to hide something from relatives or work colleagues if they have access to your computer.
To do this, you need to enable incognito mode in your browser. All major browsers support a private mode, which is called differently in browsers: “incognito mode”, “private browsing”, “InPrivate mode”.
After enabling incognito mode, the following data is not saved in the browser:
- history of visited web pages;
- search query history;
- data entered into login forms on web pages;
- cookies (cookies);
- download list;
- the browser does not remember passwords;
- After exiting private mode, the cache and offline data are deleted.
Bookmarks created in private browsing mode will be saved in the regular browser. Files downloaded in incognito mode are not deleted from the computer. Keep in mind that incognito mode does not provide anonymity.
Incognito mode works in separate window, which opens parallel to a regular browser window. While working in private mode, the user can simultaneously use a regular browser and a browser opened in incognito mode. History and other private data will not be saved only in the browser opened in private mode.
To enter incognito mode, use hotkeys. For more information about hotkey combinations, see the browser-specific sections of this article, as well as the summary table at the end of the article.
How to enter incognito mode in Google Chrome
Incognito mode in Chrome leaves no traces on your computer (cookies, search and browsing history, etc.) after closing incognito tabs. Bookmarks added to the browser and downloaded files will be saved on your computer.
Internet provider and System Administrator the organization will be able to see your actions. Websites you visit will also know about your visit.
Incognito mode in Google Chrome is launched in several ways:
- Go to Settings and Google management Chrome" click on "New window in incognito mode".
- Press the “Ctrl” + “Shift” + “N” keys on your keyboard.
- Click right click mouse by icon Google browser Chrome on the taskbar, select "New window in incognito mode".
- Right-click on the link and select “Open link in a window in incognito mode” from the context menu.
To disable incognito mode, just close the window Chrome browser, running in private mode.
How to enable incognito mode in Yandex Browser
Incognito mode in Yandex Browser will allow you not to save your requests and visits, cookies, etc.
There are several ways to open incognito mode in Yandex Browser:
- Enter “Yandex Browser Settings”, click on “Incognito Mode”.
- Press the keyboard keys “Ctrl” + “Shift” + “N” at the same time.
- Right-click on the browser icon on the taskbar and select “New window in Incognito mode.”
- After right-clicking on the link, select “Open link in Incognito mode.”
Close the Yandex Browser window running in private mode in order to exit incognito mode.
How to enable private browsing in Mozilla Firefox
The incognito mode in Mozilla is called “Private Browsing”. You can enter incognito mode in Firefox in the following ways:
- Press the “Ctrl” + “Shift” + “P” keys on your keyboard.
- Click on the “Open Menu” button and then on “Private Window”.
- After clicking on the Mozilla Firefox browser icon on the taskbar, select “New private window”.
- Right-click on the link, select "Open link in a new private window."
IN Mozilla browser Firefox's "Private Browsing" mode enables tracking protection to prevent some sites from using trackers that collect information about user behavior.
Close tabs running in incognito mode to exit private mode in the Mozilla Firefox browser.
IN Mozilla settings Firefox, in the “Privacy” tab, in the “History” item, you can select a different browser operating mode, for example, “Firefox will not remember the history.”
How to switch to incognito mode in Opera
Opera's incognito mode is called "Private Browsing". There are several options to enter private browsing in the Opera browser:
- Click on the “Menu” button, select “Create a private window”.
- Press "Ctrl" + "Shift" + "N" on your keyboard.
- Right-click on the taskbar icon Opera browser, and then select “Create a private window.”
- Right-click on the link and click “Open in private window.”
After closing the browser window in incognito mode, all data will be deleted. To ensure greater privacy, use a VPN, which is built into the Opera browser.
Private browsing in Microsoft Edge
IN Microsoft browser Edge incognito mode is called "InPrivate Browsing". There are several ways to enable private mode in the Microsoft Edge browser:
- Go to “Settings and more”, click on “New InPrivate window”.
- On the taskbar, click on the icon Edge browser right click, select context menu"New InPrivate window."
- To enable private browsing mode, press the keyboard shortcut “Ctrl” + “Shift” + “P”.
After this, a window will open in the Microsoft Edge browser in incognito mode.
After closing all InPrivate tabs, temporary data used in private mode will be deleted in the Microsoft Edge browser.
How to enable incognito mode in Internet Explorer
The incognito mode in the Internet Explorer browser is called “private browsing” - InPrivate. You can enter incognito mode in Internet Explorer in the following ways:
- Login to private browsing using pressing simultaneously to the keyboard keys “Ctrl” + “Shift” + “P”.
- Right-click on the Internet Explorer browser icon on the Taskbar and select “Start InPrivate Browsing.”
- Go to the Tools menu, select Security, and then click on InPrivate Browsing.
After this, the Internet Explorer browser window will open with a message stating that “InPrivate browsing is enabled.” By default, InPrivate Browsing mode disables toolbars and extensions in the browser (this setting can be changed).
InPrivate mode will be disabled in the browser after closing this window.
Hotkeys to enter incognito mode: table
The table contains hotkeys used in the most popular browsers running in operating systems Windows, Linux, Chrome OS.
Conclusions of the article
In order not to save data about work in the browser, the user can use incognito mode, launched in a separate window. In private mode, browsing history, search history, cookies, and other data are not saved.