Private Browsers aren't Private.

File> New Private Window

If you are a bit like me you might think that using a private window is the best choice to attempt to keep your identity cloaked from nasty advertisers and websites out to steal your data and to help revoke your strange search history. That Private Tab you thought you could trust, that private tab you thought was your friend, is more public than you think. Did you know your private browsing history can still be accessed in most browsers whilst in private mode.

From Incognito to UNCOGNITO.

So if you think searching "How to murder my boss with no evidence" in a private tab will save you.. it won't.

"Google’s Incognito mode wasn’t created to mask or hide your identity. It was primarily designed to make it easier to use shared computers without sharing your history with the next user"

I would like to think of Private Browsers like really shitty disguises, like a super obvious wig and glasses. Like it doesn't 100% look like you, but for those who know you they will recognise you.

The most recent version of Apple’s Safari browser, which began rolling out to users in late September, prevents sites from detecting when Safari visitors have the browser’s private browsing mode enabled. Private browsing, like incognito mode, temporarily prevents publishers from reading or writing cookies to a phone or computer, which makes it impossible for a paywall to detect how much content a reader has consumed, thereby rendering the meter useless. Also, apparently some site are blocking users from accessing their sites until they switch off incognito.

 Some data, like cookies, may be kept for the duration of the private browsing session and immediately discarded when you close your browser. Private Browsing prevents your web browser from storing data about you, but it doesn’t stop other applications on your computer from monitoring your browsing. If you have a key logger or spyware application running on your computer, that application could monitor your browsing activity. This doesnt mean that it is useless. Here’s how private browsing solved the problem. Multiple users meant many different cookies would be stored on a shared computer. That would create chaos when browsing, with information popping up that might be helpful to another user, but not to you.

This may be old news to my TechHeads who love to explore anything new in the IT world...but this article is for the everyday person, I am telling you the stats show over 50% really think it means totally PRIVATE.

Is it worth using then?

It helps a little...A private browser limits web tracking — meaning, websites have trouble keeping tabs on you. Some private browsers even help hide your location.

The issue remains: Your activity may still be visible to the Internet service provider, as well as to the organization that provides the Internet connection, such as a school, college, or company. Also, the websites you visit may be able to view your session.

The bottom line is that going private does not provide protection against cybercriminals gaining access to online tracks you may leave behind. Always be sure to install and use a robust security software on all of your devices before going online — private browsing or not."

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SOURCES:

https://us.norton.com/internetsecurity-privacy-your-private-browser-is-not-so-private-after-all.html

https://digiday.com/media/safaris-new-private-browsing-mode-provides-new-path-around-publisher-paywalls/