What Does Private Browsing Do?

Private browsing—sometimes called incognito mode—keeps your browsing history, cookies, and cached data from sticking around after you close the private window.

• Open a new private window: In Edge, click the three‑dot menu → New InPrivate window.
• Open a new private window: In Chrome, click the three‑dot menu → New Incognito window.
• Open a new private window: In Safari, click File → New Private Window.
• Close the window: All local data is cleared automatically.

Limitations

• Your IP address stays visible to your ISP and network administrators.
• Downloads and bookmarks are still saved.
• Private mode does not guard against malicious sites.

Boost Your Privacy with Forest VPN

Forest VPN adds an extra layer of protection by encrypting your traffic and hiding your IP. With its affordable plans, blazing speeds, and user‑friendly interface, Forest VPN is a great companion for private browsing.

“Using Forest VPN with Safari’s private mode has made my client work feel safer and faster.” – Sarah, freelance graphic designer

Ready to get started? Try Forest VPN today and keep your digital footprints light. Visit the official support pages for each browser to enable private mode:

• Edge: <https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-edge/privacysandbox/privacysandbox?hl=en>
• Chrome: <https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/95464?hl=en>
• Safari: <https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201236>

Enjoy a cleaner, safer browsing experience!

What Does Private Browsing Do? A Quick Guide

Private browsing keeps your local history, cookies, and cache from being written to disk. It doesn’t hide your activity from the outside world. This guide walks you through how it works, how to turn it on and off in Edge, Chrome, and Safari, and why you might still want to add a VPN like Forest VPN for extra protection.

How Private Browsing Works

• No local history – Browsers refuse to write history to disk during a private session.
• Cookies and cache cleared – All temporary data is deleted when the session ends.
• Session isolation – You stay signed out of sites after closing the window.

Enabling and Disabling Private Browsing in Major Browsers

Microsoft Edge (InPrivate)

1. Open Edge.
2. Click the three‑dot menu ► New InPrivate window.
3. Close it with the X or Ctrl+Shift+W. Screenshot: InPrivate window in Edge. Official guide: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-edge/browse-inprivate-in-microsoft-edge-cd2c9a48-0bc4-b98e-5e46-ac40c84e27e2

Google Chrome (Incognito)

1. Open Chrome.
2. Click the three‑dot menu ► New Incognito window.
3. Close it with Ctrl+Shift+W. Screenshot: Incognito window in Chrome. Official guide: https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/95414

Safari (Private)

1. Open Safari.
2. Click File ► New Private Window.
3. Close it by clicking the X or ⌘+W. Screenshot: Private window in Safari. Official guide: https://support.apple.com/en-us/100759

Comparison Table

Benefits and Limitations

Benefits

• No local history or cookies remain after the session.
• Session isolation keeps you signed out of sites.
• Reduces third‑party cookie tracking.

Limitations

• No built‑in VPN; your ISP and network still see traffic.
• Not anonymous; websites can still log your IP.
• Malware protection and ad blocking are not included.
• Downloads persist after closing the session.

Common Misconceptions

• Misconception: Private mode hides you from all observers. Reality: It only hides local data; external observers still see your traffic.
• Misconception: It stops all tracking. Reality: It reduces third‑party cookie persistence but does not block all tracking methods.

Private Mode vs Normal Browsing

• Normal browsing stores history, cookies, and cache, and keeps you signed in across sessions.
• Private mode discards all of that data after each session, acting like a disposable notebook.

Enhance Your Privacy with Forest VPN

Even with private browsing, your traffic is still visible to ISPs, employers, and websites. Forest VPN adds an extra layer of protection by encrypting all your internet traffic, hiding your IP address, and providing a choice of servers worldwide.

"Forest VPN gave me peace of mind while I was traveling. I could browse securely without worrying about local network snooping." – Jane Doe

Practical usage tip

• Turn off private browsing when you need to stay signed into accounts or save passwords.
• Use Forest VPN whenever you connect to public Wi‑Fi or want end‑to‑end encryption.

Call to action Try Forest VPN today and experience secure, private browsing with the convenience of a free tier and affordable plans. Visit https://forestvpn.com/en/ to get started.

Mastering Edge: Enabling & Disabling Private Browsing on Desktop & Mobile

Private browsing—known in Edge as InPrivate mode—lets you surf the web without leaving a trail of history, cookies, or temporary files on your device. It won’t hide your activity from the sites you visit, your ISP, or network administrators.

Turning InPrivate mode on Windows

1. Open Edge and tap the three‑dot menu in the upper‑right corner.
2. Choose “New InPrivate window.” A blue icon shows up, signalling a private session.
3. Close the session with Ctrl + W (Windows) or ⌘ + W (macOS). When the window closes, all history, cookies, and cache are wiped.

Turning InPrivate mode off

Just close the window or tab using the same shortcuts or click the X in the tab bar.

On macOS

1. Launch Edge, click the three‑dot menu, and pick New InPrivate window.
2. Shut it down with ⌘ + W.

On Android or iOS

1. Open Edge and tap the three‑dot menu at the bottom.
2. Select New InPrivate tab; a purple lock icon appears.
3. Swipe left or right to close the tab, or tap the X at the top.

Extensions in InPrivate mode

Edge turns off extensions by default while InPrivate is active. If you need an extension, enable it first in Settings → Extensions before launching an InPrivate window.

Troubleshooting

• If the InPrivate icon is missing, make sure Edge is updated to the latest version. Restart the browser or reboot your device.
• Clear Edge’s cache from Settings → Privacy → Clear browsing data if you notice stale cookies.
• Remember, InPrivate only stops local storage; your ISP still sees your traffic.
• For deeper help, head to Microsoft’s official support page on private browsing: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-edge.

Forest VPN

Want to hide your IP and add an extra layer of privacy? Try Forest VPN. It’s affordable, reliable, and offers a variety of plans to suit your needs. Learn more at https://forestvpn.com/en/.

Try Edge’s InPrivate mode for a clean slate on each session and protect your privacy with Forest VPN today.

Chrome’s Incognito Mode Demystified: Step‑by‑Step on All Platforms

Private browsing stops local data from sticking around, yet your IP remains visible on the web. Below you’ll find quick, step‑by‑step guides for Chrome, Edge, and Safari on both desktop and mobile, a handy comparison table, and a brief rundown on how Forest VPN can give you full privacy.

Desktop (Windows, macOS, Linux)

Chrome

• Open Chrome → Click the three‑dot menu → New Incognito window.
• Dark theme and mask icon appear.
• All cookies, cache, and history are cleared when the window is closed.
• Exit: Ctrl + W (Windows/Linux) or ⌘ + W (macOS).

Microsoft Edge

• Open Edge → Click the three‑dot menu → New InPrivate window.
• InPrivate mode uses a dark theme and mask icon.
• Cookies, cache, and history are cleared on exit.
• Exit: Ctrl + W (Windows/Linux) or ⌘ + W (macOS).

Safari

• Open Safari → Click File → New Private Window.
• Private window uses a dark theme and mask icon.
• Cookies, cache, and history are cleared on exit.
• Exit: ⌘ + W.

Mobile (Android, iOS)

Chrome

• Android: Tap the bottom‑right three‑dot icon → New incognito tab.
• iOS: Tap the two‑square icon → Incognito toggle.
• Dark bar and mask icon appear; swipe or tap X to close.

Microsoft Edge

• Android: Tap the three‑dot icon → New InPrivate tab.
• iOS: Tap the three‑dot icon → New InPrivate tab.
• InPrivate mode uses a dark theme; close by swiping or tapping X.

Safari

• Android: Safari for Android is no longer supported; use Chrome or Edge.
• iOS: Tap the two‑square icon → Private toggle.
• Private mode uses a dark theme; close by swiping or tapping X.

Disable Extensions in Incognito

Chrome only

• Go to chrome://extensions/.
• Click Details for each extension → toggle Allow in Incognito off.
• Alternatively, click the Extensions menu → toggle Disable in Incognito.

Comparison Table

Forest VPN: Why It Complements Incognito

• Convenience: One‑click connection from any device.
• Affordability: Unlimited data plans starting at $2.99/month.
• Variety: Multiple server locations across 30+ countries.
• Privacy: No‑logs policy and strong encryption protect your IP from being exposed even in Incognito mode.

Quick Links to Official Support

• Chrome: https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/95464
• Edge: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-edge
• Safari: https://support.apple.com/safari

What Does Private Browsing Do? Safari’s Private Window Explained: How to Toggle It on Mac & iPhone

What does private browsing do? Safari’s private mode gives you a clean browsing experience that does not store cookies, cache, or history after you close the window. It also blocks third‑party trackers more aggressively than normal browsing, giving you a deeper sense of privacy.

macOS: What Does Private Browsing Do?

1. Open Safari.
2. Click File → New Private Window.
3. The window turns black, and the menu bar shows Private in italics.
4. Browse as usual.
5. Close with ⌘ + W or the red close button.
6. All session data clears automatically.

iPhone: What Does Private Browsing Do?

1. Launch Safari.
2. Tap the two‑square icon at the bottom.
3. Hit Private.
4. The tab bar shifts to black.
5. Explore.
6. Exit by tapping Private again. Your iPhone remembers the tab layout, but it wipes cookies once you leave.

How to turn off private browsing

Simply close all private windows or tap the Private button again to exit the mode.

Private mode vs normal browsing

In private mode, Safari does not retain cookies, cache, or history after you close the window, whereas normal browsing stores these items locally.

Intelligent Tracking Prevention (ITP)

Safari’s ITP is a built‑in shield that blocks third‑party trackers in both normal and private modes. It works like a security guard that checks every request and only lets trusted cookies through. In private mode, ITP is even stricter, limiting persistent storage to a single session.

Managing Bookmarks & Downloads

• Bookmarks stay intact. If you create a bookmark while private, it appears in your regular library afterward. That’s handy for quick notes.
• Downloads are saved to your default folder. Safari does not delete them, so you can access files later.
• To avoid clutter, clear the Downloads folder after finishing a session.
• If you’re cautious, consider using a dedicated folder for private‑mode downloads.

For full step‑by‑step screenshots, see Apple’s official guides:

• macOS: https://support.apple.com/guide/safari/use-private-browsing-sfri1145/mac
• iOS: https://support.apple.com/guide/safari/use-private-browsing-sfri1145/ios

Ready to surf without leaving a digital footprint? Try Safari’s private window and feel the difference.

What Does Private Browsing Do? Side‑by‑Side Showdown: Privacy Features, Data Retention, & Best Practices

Private browsing—also called incognito mode—keeps your browser from storing a record of what you do. Once you close the private window, no history, cookies, or cached files are left behind.

Side‑by‑Side Showdown

• Use a VPN to hide your IP from ISP and public Wi‑Fi.
• Clear cookies manually after a session on shared devices.
• Disable extensions in private mode to stop data leaks.
• Keep browsers updated to benefit from latest security patches.

Forest VPN

If you need an extra layer of privacy, consider using Forest VPN. Its affordable plans, easy‑to‑use interface, and strong encryption make it a great choice for everyday users. Try Forest VPN today and take control of your online privacy.

For more detailed instructions, visit the official support pages:

• Edge: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-edge/privacy/privacy-privacy
• Chrome: https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/95647?hl=en
• Safari: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT202059

Amplify Your Privacy: Pairing Private Browsing with Forest VPN

Private browsing wipes cookies and keeps your local data tidy, but your ISP can still see what you’re doing. What if you could make that invisible too? Forest VPN is the answer, giving you a second layer of protection.

When you open a private window, the browser stops recording history, but your packets still travel across the network. Forest VPN encrypts those packets, turning them into unreadable noise. Think of it like a secret tunnel beneath a busy highway.

Convenience matters. Forest VPN offers a single‑click toggle that works everywhere—Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, and even Chrome extensions. One tap and every private session is automatically shielded.

Affordability is a game changer. Our basic plan starts at $2.99 /month, undercutting most competitors while still delivering high‑speed servers and unlimited bandwidth. No hidden fees, no surprise charges.

Maya, a freelance designer in Seattle, says, “I open a private window to sketch ideas, then Forest VPN kicks in automatically. My clients never see my IP, and my data stays private.”

Raj, a student in Mumbai, adds, “While studying on campus Wi‑Fi, the auto‑kill switch saved me from a phishing attack that slipped through the campus firewall.”

Tip: Pick the server nearest your physical location to keep latency low. Forest’s dashboard shows real‑time latency bars for each country.

Another trick is the auto‑kill switch. If your device loses connection, the tunnel drops instantly, preventing data leakage. Think of it as a safety valve on a pressure cooker.

Forest VPN runs on a no‑log policy, meaning we never store your browsing history. The encryption protocol, WireGuard, is the same tech used by leading security firms. This guarantees that even if a request is intercepted, it looks like gibberish.

With over 70 locations in 30 countries, you can choose a node that’s close to your ISP or a strategic point to bypass geo‑blocks. Users report download speeds of up to 250 Mbps on the fastest routes.

On a public Wi‑Fi hotspot, enable auto‑kill and set a rule to disconnect when the signal drops below 3 Mbps. That keeps you safe when the network weakens.

Try our free trial. Download the app, start a private session, and watch your traffic vanish behind an encrypted tunnel.

Ready to double‑layer your privacy? Sign up now to experience the seamless blend of private browsing and encrypted traffic. Sign up for Forest VPN. Your data, your rules.