网络浏览器中的隐私浏览(Private browsing in web browsers)可帮助用户保持其浏览历史的私密性。您可以通过向 Web 浏览器发出特定命令来进入隐私浏览或隐身模式，例如Mozilla Firefox 中的Ctrl+Shift+PGoogle Chrome和Microsoft Edge中的Ctrl+Shift+N。发出这些命令后，网络浏览器会启动一个单独的窗口，您可以在其中不留任何痕迹地私下上网。您可能在这里有一个问题，“隐身模式真的私密吗？” 如果是，“它有多(How)安全？”
私人浏览如何运作？
在开始之前，让我们看看隐私浏览(Private browsing)或隐身模式(Incognito mode)是如何工作的？当您上网时，网络浏览器会保存您的浏览数据，如历史记录、登录用户名等，为您提供流畅、快捷的浏览体验。
让我们通过一个例子来理解这一点。在普通模式下首次登录Gmail帐户时，您必须输入用户名和密码。(Gmail)当您在正常模式下再次访问Gmail时，您无需输入您的用户名，因为浏览器已经有了它。您只需单击它并输入您的密码。它是如何发生的？每个(Every)网站都使用跟踪用户行为的Cookie 。Cookies 保存用户的一般信息。即使您退出普通模式浏览，您的数据也不会被清除。这就是为什么当您在电子商务平台上搜索特定产品时，每次您登陆他们的网站时，他们都会开始向您展示类似的产品。
阅读(Read)：什么是SuperCookies或 独立于浏览器的 Cookies？
隐私网页浏览会在退出时清除您的所有数据，包括您的浏览历史记录、cookie 等。您以私密或隐身模式访问的每个(Every)网站都将您视为新访问者，即使您之前曾以隐身模式访问过它。
私密(Private) 浏览(Browsing)真的私密(Private)或安全(Safe)吗？
私人模式在某些情况下是安全的。让我们看看什么时候应该使用隐私浏览模式。
1]在另一台计算机(Computer)上登录您的帐户
当您使用他人的 PC 或网吧登录您的帐户时，必须使用私人或隐身模式。由于隐私浏览中的每个会话都是一个新会话，因此如果您忘记注销您的帐户，您无需费心，因为当您关闭隐私窗口时，会话将自动注销。因此(Hence)，私人模式可以保护您的帐户信息不被泄露。
2]研究微妙的话题
在研究敏感或敏感话题时，隐身(Incognito)模式也很有帮助。如果您使用的是普通模式，则必须在每次会话后清除所有浏览历史记录，这可能会令人沮丧。但是，如果您使用私人窗口，则无需执行此类任务，因为它会自动清除历史记录。通过这种方式，隐身模式有助于保护机密信息。没有人可以查看您在互联网上搜索的内容。
3] 礼品购物
当您拥有共享计算机时，购买礼物的最佳方式是私人模式。通过清除所有浏览历史记录，隐身模式可以保护您的惊喜不被宠坏。此外，您可以确保获得不受之前浏览影响的最优惠价格。
4]登录不同的帐户
在某些情况下可能不允许登录个人帐户。但是，您可以在不让当局知道的情况下以私密模式登录您的个人帐户。
对无痕浏览(Private Browsing)的误解
许多人认为隐身模式是完全私密的，它完全保护了他们的隐私。这只是一种误解。在这里，我们列出了许多人拥有的关于私有浏览器的一些常见神话。
- 政府无法(Government)追踪用户。
- 用户的 PC 免受病毒和恶意软件的侵害。
- IP 地址在不同的网站上仍然隐藏。
- 私人浏览会阻止广告跟踪。
- 即使在登录社交媒体帐户后，用户仍处于离线状态。
1] 政府无法追踪我
许多人认为，当他们私下冲浪时，政府(Government)无法追踪他们的身份。这只是一个神话。如果您做了违法的事情，政府(Government)可以通过多种方式联系您。当您上网时，您会连接到您所在地区的ISP，这有助于官员跟踪您的位置。
阅读(Read)：如何避免被自己的电脑监视(How to avoid being watched through your own Computer)？
2]没有病毒可以攻击我的电脑
许多人认为私有模式可以保护他们免受病毒和恶意软件的攻击。这是不正确的，因为恶意软件和病毒可以通过软件下载、网络钓鱼电子邮件等方式进入您的 PC。为了保护您的 PC 免受病毒和恶意软件攻击，您应该拥有一个好的安全软件(good security software)。
3] 网站无法在隐身模式下查看我的(Incognito)IP 地址(IP Address)
这不是 100% 正确的。如果您在隐身模式和标准模式下搜索“我的 IP 是什么”，您将得到相同的结果。这意味着网站也可以在私有模式下查看您的 IP 地址。如果您想隐藏您的 IP，使用VPN将是一个不错的选择。(VPN)
阅读(Read)： 什么是 VPN，我们为什么要使用 VPN(What is a VPN, and Why should we use a VPN)？
4]广告(Ads)无法在私密模式下跟踪我(Private Mode)
由于 cookie 在退出隐私浏览后被删除，因此许多人认为广告无法跟踪它们。当您在隐身模式下冲浪时，浏览器会以临时模式保存 cookie，从而允许广告在您的整个隐私浏览会话期间跟踪您。
阅读(Read)：什么是网络跟踪？什么是浏览器中的跟踪器？(What is Web Tracking? What are Trackers in browsers?)
5]隐身(Incognito Does)登录不显示在线(Me Online)
您可能会认为，如果您以私密模式登录Gmail或其他社交媒体帐户，就不会有人在网上看到您。这不是真的。无论您是以普通模式还是隐身模式登录您的帐户；其他人总能在网上发现你。
隐私(Private)模式和退出时清除浏览数据的区别
在您的常规浏览模式下，您可能安装了一些插件、扩展、主题等，您可以使用它们。他们可能会跟踪您的活动。当您退出浏览器时，数据将被删除。
当您使用隐私浏览模式时，浏览器会以其原始形式加载，通常没有安装的插件、扩展、主题等。退出浏览器时数据会被删除。此模式不会将数据保存到磁盘，但会在当前会话期间将其保存在内存中。
结论
隐私浏览在某些情况下可以安全使用，但无法为您提供完整的隐私保护。如果您担心隐私问题，您可以尝试使用Tor等其他网络浏览器或使用VPN网络。Tor浏览器或VPN网络可帮助您隐藏 IP 地址。此功能在私人或隐身模式下不可用。
阅读下一篇(Read next)：如何确定是否有人在您的计算机上窥探(How to find out if someone was snooping around on your computer)？
Is Private Browsing safe? When should I use Incognito Mode?
Private browsing in web browsers helps users to keep their browsing history private. You can enter into private browsing or incognito mode by giving a specific command to your web browsers, like Ctrl+Shift+P in Mozilla Firefox and Ctrl+Shift+N in Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge. On giving these commands, the web browser launches a separate window where you can surf the internet privately without leaving any traces. You may have a question here, “Is incognito mode really private?” If yes, “How safe is it?”
How does Private Browsing work?
Before we begin, let’s see how Private browsing or Incognito mode works? When you surf on the internet, web browsers save your browsing data like history, login usernames, etc., to provide you with a smooth and faster browsing experience.
Let’s understand this with an example. When you log into your Gmail account for the first time in normal mode, you have to enter your username and password. When you visit Gmail again in normal mode, you need not enter your username because the browser already has it. You just have to click it and enter your password. How does it happen? Every website uses Cookies that track the users’ behavior. Cookies save the general information of the users. Your data will not be cleared even when you exit browsing in normal mode. That’s why when you search for a particular product on eCommerce platforms, they start showing you similar products every time you land on their website.
Read: What are SuperCookies or Browser Independent Cookies?
Private web browsing clears all your data, including your browsing history, cookies, etc., on exiting. Every website you visit in private or incognito mode treats you as a new visitor, even if you have visited it before in incognito mode.
Is Private Browsing really Private or Safe?
Private mode is safe in some cases. Let’s see when you should use the private browsing mode.
1] Logging into your Account on another Computer
Private or incognito mode is a must when you use another person’s PC or a cybercafe to log into your accounts. Since every session in private browsing is a new session, you need not bother if you forget to log off your account because when you close the private window, the session will automatically be logged off. Hence, private mode protects your account information from getting leaked.
2] Researching delicate topics
Incognito mode is also helpful when it comes to researching delicate or sensitive topics. If you are using normal mode, you have to clear all the browsing history after each session which can be frustrating. However, if you use a private window, you need not perform such tasks as it will clear the history automatically. In this way, incognito mode helps protect confidential information. No one can view what you have searched on the internet.
3] Gift Shopping
When you have a shared computer, the best way to shop for gifts is the private mode. By clearing all your browsing history, the incognito mode protects your surprise from getting spoiled. Moreover, you can be sure that you get the best rates which are not influenced by your previous browsing..
4] Logging In Different Accounts
Logging into a personal account may not be allowed in some scenarios. But, you can log in to your personal account in private mode without letting the authorities know about it.
Misconceptions about Private Browsing
Many people think that incognito mode is completely private and it protects their privacy entirely. It is only a misconception. Here, we are listing some common myths about private browsers that many people have.
- The Government cannot track the user.
- User’s PC stay protected from viruses and malware.
- IP address remains hidden on different websites.
- Private browsing blocks ad tracking.
- The user remains offline even after logging into social media accounts.
1] The Government cannot Track me
Many people think that the Government cannot trace their identity when they surf privately. This is only a myth. There are many ways by which the Government can reach you if you do something illegal. When you surf online, you are connected with an ISP of your area, which helps the officials track your location.
Read: How to avoid being watched through your own Computer?
2] No virus can attack my PC
Many people think that private mode protects them from virus and malware attacks. It is not true because malware and viruses can enter your PC through a software download, phishing email, etc. To protect your PC from virus and malware attacks, you should have a good security software.
3] Websites cannot view my IP Address in Incognito
This is not 100% true. If you search “What is my IP” in incognito and standard mode, you will get the same results. This means that websites can view your IP address in private mode also. Using a VPN would be a good option if you want to hide your IP.
Read: What is a VPN, and Why should we use a VPN?
4] Ads cannot Track me in Private Mode
Since cookies are deleted after exiting private browsing, many people think that ads cannot track them. When you surf in incognito mode, the browser saves cookies in a temporary mode, allowing ads to track you during your entire private browsing session.
Read: What is Web Tracking? What are Trackers in browsers?
5] Signing in Incognito Does Not Show Me Online
You may think if you sign in to your Gmail or other social media accounts in private mode, no one will see you online. This is not true. It does not matter whether you have signed into your account in normal mode or incognito mode; others can always spot you online.
Difference between Private mode and Clear browsing data on exit
In your regular browsing mode, you may have some addons, extensions, themes, etc installed and you can use them. They may track your activities. The data is deleted when you exit the browser.
When you use the private browsing mode, the browser is loaded in its original form, typically without the installed addons, extension, themes, etc. The data gets deleted when you exit the browser. This mode doesn’t save data to disk but keeps it in memory during the current session.
Conclusion
Private browsing is safe to use in some circumstances, but it cannot provide you with complete privacy protection. If privacy is your concern, you can try other web browsers like Tor or use a VPN network instead. The Tor browser or a VPN network helps you hide your IP address. This facility is not available in private or incognito mode.
Read next: How to find out if someone was snooping around on your computer?
