Tips to avoid tracking when browsing in private mode
Why do they track us when browsing
What is the reason that they track us when we browse? It must be borne in mind that the reasons are very diverse and it must not only be interpreted as something negative where our privacy can be exposed and the data may be in danger.
One reason is to offer better service . Let's say, for example, that we enter a web page to check the weather. They will receive personal data from us, such as the IP address, where we are, etc. This will allow them to offer closer information, so that we can see what the weather is going to be in our city or surroundings.
They can also collect data to create a user profile and later offer targeted advertising. For example, if we visit many mobile pages and look at online stores to buy a phone, we will see advertising related to it.
But yes, they could also track us for profit and it can really compromise our privacy. We can even enter websites where they could filter all that information either voluntarily or through a security breach in the future.
What to do to avoid tracking in incognito mode
So can we avoid being tracked and exposing our data? The truth is that we do have different methods for this. Many users enter incognito mode in Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox in order to avoid sending information and to make sure that the data is not leaked. However, this does not really protect us, nor will it prevent a site that we enter from being able to track us.
The incognito mode or private mode, wellbwhat it really does is not cache information in the browser. For example, it will not save the history of the sites visited or the searches carried out on Google. But websites will collect information from visitors , even if it is only basic data such as location or IP address.
If, for example, we enter from a network of a university or a place where they control what we visit, they will also collect that. Like an operator can know which pages we visit or what services we use despite being in incognito mode. It also won't prevent a network administrator from accessing the data. Therefore we can take into account some tips.
Beware of public networks
The first thing is to be careful when using public Wi-Fi networks . It is a fact that they can be a danger to security and privacy. Intruders may be on a free Wi-Fi and aim to collect visitor information and even launch attacks.
The problem is that there are users who believe that when browsing in incognito mode this risk can vanish, but nothing could be further from the truth. Although we are in private mode in the browser, through an insecure Wi-Fi network we may be filtering personal data , for example if we make a payment or log into a site.
For this reason, it is important that we always be careful with the Wi-Fi networks we access and thus avoid the tracking and leakage of personal data.
Use VPN
One of the best options we have to avoid being tracked on the Internet, whether we surf in incognito mode or not, is to use a VPN . What this type of program does is encrypt the connection. Everything we send or receive goes through a kind of tunnel. We can name as an example NordVPN or ExpressVPN, which are some of the most popular.
This is very useful especially if we are going to connect through public Wi-Fi networks, since in the event that there are intruders waiting to steal data and information, the VPN protects us and helps us navigate with greater security.
It will also prevent the websites that we visit in private mode from receiving personal data such as the IP address, location, the operator that we have contracted ... It is, therefore, a very useful tool to maintain privacy at all times.
Do not expose personal data when browsing
In this case, we are dealing with common sense advice . If we browse in incognito mode we can make the same mistakes as we do by normal browsing. For example, we must avoid putting our data in open forums, putting the e-mail address or telephone number when writing a comment on an article on a website, etc.
In addition to this, we can also be tracked as soon as we log in. By default, when we browse in incognito mode and open Facebook, Gmail or any online service, we will not be logged in. It will not save cookies with the username and password. Now, if we enter those pages and log in, they will automatically track us the same as if we open it in normal mode.
Disable extensions in incognito mode
We must also be careful with the extensions that we have installed in the browser. There are some that are automatically disabled in incognito mode, but not all. In addition, it is something that we can configure so that they are not active.
A plug-in for the browser is a kind of program that we can install to have some improvements. For example to read PDF, to group page tabs, etc. On many occasions they will collect personal data. If we enter the browser in private mode and we have not correctly configured the extensions so that they do not receive data, they will still be able to spy on us.
Use a truly private browser
Do we want maximum privacy when browsing? We can always use browsers that are really focused on protecting data. Although Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox, to name some of the most used, are safe and have interesting privacy functions, the truth is that there are others that are specially designed to prevent data leakage.
One of them is Tor Browser , which allows you to navigate through multiple nodes as if they were layers of an onion. In this way, the information does not pass directly from the computer to the destination server, but rather passes through many nodes before it reaches it.
Therefore, these are some important questions that we can take into account when we want to browse in incognito mode and we want to prevent personal data and information from being leaked. It is something that can happen, but we can easily avoid it.