Who among us has not used the anonymous browsing option, Incognito, in Google's Chrome browser?
This is a situation that supposedly protects our privacy in that our browsing history is not saved and searches we performed will not be saved in our Google search history. Why apparently? Because Google kept this information on its servers.
Whether to check the prices of deals abroad, or to watch reruns of Nice Butterfly without anyone knowing about it, the privacy mode is supposed to protect and hide our activities. Those in the know say that most users use the privacy mode to watch sex sites, but of course no one None of us do.
How do you activate privacy mode in Chrome?
The "privacy" mode in the Chrome browser is activated using Ctrl+Shift+N on Windows computers or by clicking with the mouse on the three vertical dots in the upper toolbar and selecting New Incognito Window.
As is our holy custom, here are some interesting facts about the Chrome browser:
- The most common browser in the world with a market share of 63%.
- Over 3 billion users.
- About 62% of the mobile phone market.
- About 50% of the American market.
In the "Privacy" window it is clearly stated that browsing history, cookies, information we entered in forms, websites we browsed and information about our Internet provider will not be saved. So it was written. The innocent surfer thought that he was indeed protected (regarding these details), but this is not the case.
In fact, the information was recorded and saved and that's why Google was sued in a lawsuit that dates back to 2020! The lawsuit proved that the "privacy" situation is not really private and within the framework settlement agreement, Google pledged to delete billions of records collected in the "Privacy" mode. Google has also committed to updating the opening screen in incognito mode so that it explicitly states that Google collects information through third-party websites.
From a non-representative sample of friends I spoke with, they were all surprised that the "privacy" mode wasn't really private. I was also surprised... by my friends!
Google's business model is based, among other things, on collecting information for the purpose of personalizing advertisements. It is therefore expected that a browser that gathers so much information from our online activity would be a great base for data collection. And what about the commitment that a business company gave to users regarding maintaining their privacy? Unfortunately, these commitments have already been proven more than once to support a broken barrel.
The truth about surfing in privacy mode:
- This mode helps us keep our online activity private from other people using the same computer.
- Browsing in private mode deletes records that indicate browsing activity on the computer: passwords, cookies and browsing history in the private window.
- Privacy mode does not make us invisible on the Internet. Websites and internet service providers can still collect information including our web address.
- On computers at the workplace or when your mobile phones are connected to the wireless network at work, the company has the option of monitoring the websites you visit.
- In home use the internet provider may have access to our browsing information.
- Private Browsing does not protect against malware that may be installed on your computer.
Improving private browsing mode
Greater privacy when browsing requires tools such as using a virtual private network (VPN - Virtual Private Network).
So what can be done to improve the private browsing situation?
You can update the Chrome browser to the latest version and hope for the best, but there is a better solution: switch to the Mozilla Firefox browser, an excellent browser that I have been working with for years.
Mozilla Firefox
This is a browser written in open source and developed by volunteers with the support of the Mozilla Foundation. This means that anyone can check the source code and see that unnecessary things have not been planted in it.
Firefox supports all the common options of Chrome and stands out for the better in maintaining privacy. Firefox even offers all the data security protections that Chrome offers, and beyond. Without going into technical information, Firefox Prevents, by default, data collection software From websites such as Facebook, Twitter and others. You can even define some of the information collection attempts to limit and refine your privacy settings. Also, its privacy window does not save your information and includes Link to explanation Why you can watch browsing in privacy mode and why not.
Bottom line, the Firefox browser is highly recommended as a reliable, safe (as much as possible), frequently updated, fast and efficient browser. It also has mobile optimized versions of course. The browser can be downloaded Link below.
Here are a number of recommended extensions for Firefox that will make your browsing fun:
In the main menu, click on Tools, then Add-on and Themes and enter the name of the add-on:
- uBlock Origin - blocking advertisements on websites.
- Notifier for Gmail - managing multiple Gmail accounts.
- AdBlocker for YouTube - blocking advertisements on YouTube.
- To Google Translate - translates words inside the browser
In conclusion, privacy mode in browsers does not provide absolute privacy as we would like but it can protect to some extent from prying eyes looking for information on our devices. It is recommended to update to the latest version of Chrome and it is even more recommended to switch to Firefox.
And peace be upon Israel
An advertising article and nothing else.