IT - 28.02.2020

Surfing the web incognito at work?

Depending on how your IT system is set up, others in your firm might be able to see which web pages you’ve visited. This could be awkward if, as the boss, you’ve been looking at sensitive employment issues. How can you surf incognito?

Web browsers

If others in your firm use or have access to your computer, you might want to use the privacy mode to hide the sites you’ve visited. All web browsers offer a mode which claims to protect your privacy. In Chrome it’s called Incognito Mode; in Edge, InPrivate Browsing; in Firefox and Opera, Private Browsing; and in Safari, Private Window. Other apps, such as Google Maps, also come with an incognito mode.

How do you use it?

Choose the appropriate menu option in your browser to open the incognito tab or window. You can now surf the web without leaving any trace on your device. To turn off incognito mode, tap the incognito symbol at the top right. You can also watch online videos in the YouTube app while incognito.

Local problems

Many people think that using the incognito mode hides everything they do in their browser but it merely erases the history of the sites you’ve visited, the cookies you’ve received and the temporary files that are downloaded. This means that only your local privacy is ensured, for instance an employee who subsequently uses your browser on the same device won’t be able to see your activity. It’s a sensible precaution to take when you’re browsing the web on a public computer, e.g. in a public library.

Tip. The files you’ve downloaded and the bookmarks you’ve created will still be saved, so after you’ve finished make sure that you manually delete them.

No total privacy

Even in incognito mode, third parties, such as Google and Facebook, can track you. Indeed, most sites contain hidden activity trackers, which signal every time you visit and incognito mode doesn’t prevent this.

Tip. You can install browsers add-ons if you want to block invisible trackers (see The next step ).

Hard to escape scrutiny

Your internet provider, your employees with system admin status and the government can also check which websites you visit because you have to pass through their systems to go online. This means that they can check your IP address and thus track your computer. If you want to avoid this, you can use pay-to-use services to create your own virtual private network (VPN) (see The next step ). You firm’s network might block access to these but you can tell your network administrator to allow you access. These services encrypt all your internet traffic, so that others will no longer be able to see what you are doing. In addition, they redirect it via the VPN server, therefore hiding your location.

Finally, it goes without saying that you shouldn’t sign in to your Google or Facebook account if you want to surf anonymously. If you sign in these services will automatically know who you are and will be able to track your visits and everything you do there.

For links to blocker add-ons and VPN services, visit http://tipsandadvice-business.co.uk/download (CD 21.11.05).

Use your browser’s incognito mode (or browser app) to prevent others who also use your device from finding out what you have been doing online. You can download special apps to prevent third parties like Facebook and Google tracking your activity. Use your own virtual private network to block others in your organisation.

© Indicator - FL Memo Ltd

Tel.: (01233) 653500 • Fax: (01233) 647100

subscriptions@indicator-flm.co.ukwww.indicator-flm.co.uk

Calgarth House, 39-41 Bank Street, Ashford, Kent TN23 1DQ

VAT GB 726 598 394 • Registered in England • Company Registration No. 3599719