How to open an incognito tab and browse privately? Opening an incognito tab to browse the internet in private mode is a particularly versatile option. When browsing incognito we do not leave data in the browsing history, so we can search for a gift for the couple or enter a social network without the boss finds out.
In addition, it allows opening new sessions within social networks or services without closing the previous one, something very convenient in guest sessions. But how to open incognito tab? Is our data protected? How do we close it again?
How to open an incognito tab and browse privately?
Almost all browsers, whether mobile or computer, allow hidden or incognito browsing. To access it, in general, just go to options and choose “New incognito window.” Let’s look at the five main browsers:
How to browse privately using incognito mode in Chrome?
To open an incognito tab in Chrome we have two different ways. The first is to enter the program:
- We open Chrome.
- We look for the three vertical points (⋮).
- When pressing them, we choose “New incognito window”.
The second can be done without entering the program.
- On the computer we right-click on the icon, while on the mobile we hold down the application.
- In the drop-down menu, we choose “New incognito window”.
How to browse privately in Safari with incognito mode?
To open a private tab in Safari follow the instructions:
- We open the Safari application.
- We select “File”.
- We choose “New private window”.
How to browse in incognito mode with Edge?
To open a private tab in Edge (called InPrivate mode) we have two different ways. The first is to enter the program:
- We open Edge.
- We select the three points (···).
- We choose “New InPrivate Window”.
The second can be done without going inside:
- On the icon, we right click.
- We choose “New InPrivate Window”.
How to browse privately in Firefox using incognito mode?
To open a private tab in Firefox we have two other different ways. The first from within the program:
- We open Firefox.
- We click on the three horizontal bars (≡).
- We choose “New private window”.
The second option can be done from outside:
- On the Firefox icon we right click or hold down the finger.
- We choose “New private window”.
How to browse privately in Opera with incognito mode?
To open a private tab in Opera we have two different ways. The first is to do it from the program or app :
From program (computer):
- We open Opera.
- We click on the red “O”.
- We choose “New private tab”.
From application (mobile):
- We open Opera.
- We click on the symbol that contains a “1”.
- We push the screen to the left.
- Click on the “+” sign.
In a second method, valid for both the program and the application:
- On the computer we right-click on the icon, while on the mobile we hold down the app.
- In the drop-down, we choose “New private tab”.
How to get out of incognito mode?
To exit incognito mode, just close the private windows. Some browsers do it automatically when you exit them. In others we will have to click on the corresponding X. In the case of Chrome, for example, Android allows you to close all incognito windows with a single click, from the notifications menu.
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Can you use incognito mode on a smart TV?
Most smart TV operating systems, such as webOS (LG), Android TV (Sony), Firefox OS (Panasonic), Tizen (Samsung), etc., do allow hidden browsing. And it is also accessed in a very similar way to the previous options. Either the television in question allows access through the options or facilitates a quick click to open tabs incognito.
What do incognito tabs and private browsing mean?
When opening an incognito tab activating private browsing, what we do is not record the session. This is why some systems call it phantom navigation. It does not leave traces in the browsing history, but it can leave cookies on the device. Private browsing should not be confused with encrypted browsing or browsing via VPN.
Nor should it be confused with TOR. While this is practically anonymous and VPNs provide moderately discreet access, private browsing does not have to be encrypted, redirected, or masked in any way. They are complementary actions.
Advantages of incognito mode
As we anticipated when opening the article, not saving the history facilitates a more discreet browsing. It is an ideal way to find gifts for a relative with whom we share a device; or the way to avoid being told off by bosses for looking at a web page outside the workflow.
If we are on a computer where there is already a Google session open, for example, we can use incognito mode to access a second session. And the same will happen with any social network, such as Twitter or Facebook. It is a very interesting option if we want to open several profiles.
Disadvantages of incognito mode
By contrast, when opening an incognito tab we will not save our history. This can play tricks on us if we close the application and fail to save that page we were reading. We will lose it, we will have to search again and we may not find it again.
The hidden navigation when opening an incognito tab has many uses, unlawful activities or the viewing of pornography among them, of course. However, it is a double-edged sword: it does not mask our identity on the internet, nor does it avoid catching viruses or save the browser.
