How to Use Private Browsing

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Private browsing lets you keep your Web-surfing history private on a shared computer.

Every time you browse the Web, information about the websites you visit is saved on your computer. Your browser history displays a list of pages visited within a certain time frame, and many sites store a cookie on your computer that tracks how often you visit the site and sometimes tracks other sites you visit as well. Private browsing is a feature found in most major browsers that allows you to enter a Web-surfing session "off the record," without saving history, cookies or any other information that identifies what sites you visit.

Instructions

    • 1

      Launch Firefox. Press "Alt" to display the menu bar at the top of the browser window. Click "Tools" and select "Private Browsing." Click "Start Private Browsing" when prompted to start the private browsing session. You can also access "Private Browsing" by clicking the orange "Firefox" button.

    • 2

      Open Internet Explorer. Press "Alt" to open the menu bar and click "Tools." Select "InPrivate Browsing" from the menu. A new Internet Explorer will open, displaying "InPrivate" on the address bar to indicate that you are engaged in a private browsing session. Another option is to click the "Tools" icon, select "Safety" and click "InPrivate Browsing."

    • 3

      Launch Google Chrome. Click the wrench icon next to the address bar and select "New Incognito Window." A new Chrome window will launch, with the "Incognito" icon displayed next to the tab bar.

Tips & Warnings

  • You can also enter private browsing mode in Firefox and Internet Explorer by pressing "CTRL," "Shift" and "P" on your keyboard. The keyboard shortcut for Chrome is "CTRL," "Shift" and "N."

  • Private browsing prevents other users of your computer from viewing the websites you visit, but it doesn't hide your history from your ISP.

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References

  • Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Comstock/Getty Images

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