Forget using incognito mode, you should invest in a VPN instead

Google admits Chrome Incognito mode tracks users — what you need to know::Google is adding new disclaimers to Chrome after the search giant settled a class-action lawsuit regarding how incognito mode isn’t actually as private as it appears to be.

  • fubo@lemmy.worldEnglish
    644·
    10 months ago

    Even though going incognito prevents Chrome from saving cookies, site data and your browsing history, it doesn’t actually prevent websites or your internet service provider (ISP) from tracking you and knowing what you’re up to online. This news comes as a shock to many Chrome users but privacy experts have long warned that the browser’s incognito mode isn’t as private as you might think.

    Know where else you’ll find that same warning?

    On every new incognito window in Chrome.

    It’s been there for years —

    Your activity might still be visible to:

    • Websites you visit
    • Your employer or school
    • Your internet service provider
    • ALQ@lemmy.worldEnglish
      311·
      10 months ago

      Yeah…I feel like the only reason to use incognito has always been “I don’t want my porn to show up in my search history and this is easier than manual deletion.” It’d be nice if it meant privacy, but the world doesn’t run on nice. :(

      • fubo@lemmy.worldEnglish
        8·
        10 months ago

        Also, TCP/IP requires that the server receive your IP address (or that of a proxy, VPN endpoint, etc.) so that it can send the response back. Opening a new browser window doesn’t change that.

        • Toes♀@ani.socialEnglish
          3·
          10 months ago

          The computer has the ability to make accounts, so people have their own personal spaces.

          • Zagorath@aussie.zoneEnglish
            1·
            10 months ago

            I’ve never seen someone use this in the home (i.e., non-business/school) environment.

            Browsers have their own user profiles now, but that’s a much newer feature than Incognito mode.

    • demonsword@lemmy.worldEnglish
      4·
      10 months ago

      Incognito mode could be much better if it also scrambled your browser fingerprint. Then it would be much, much harder to be tracked by Google/Amazon/Meta/etc. But of course they’d never do that, it would cut on their bottom line…