Where is Incognito history stored?

Answered by Frank Schwing

When it comes to browsing in Incognito mode, the main purpose is to ensure privacy and avoid leaving any traces of your browsing activity. This means that the browser does not store any history of the websites you visit, the searches you make, or any data you enter on web forms. However, it’s important to note that while Incognito mode doesn’t store this information locally on your device, it doesn’t mean that your online activities are completely hidden or anonymous.

So, where is the Incognito history stored? The answer is that it is not stored on your computer or device. When you browse in Incognito mode, the browser creates a temporary session that is isolated from your regular browsing session. This means that the browsing data, such as cookies, cache, and history, is stored in a separate temporary location.

In Google Chrome, for example, the Incognito mode is called “Incognito Browsing.” In this mode, Chrome does not save your browsing history, download history, cookies, or any other data that may be stored on your computer. When you close the Incognito window, all the browsing data associated with that session is deleted, including cookies and temporary files.

Similarly, Mozilla Firefox refers to this mode as “Private Browsing.” When you enable Private Browsing, Firefox does not save your browsing history, search history, or cookies. It also disables extensions and plugins that may track your online activity. Once you close the Private Browsing window, all the data from that session is discarded.

In Internet Explorer, the Incognito mode is called “InPrivate Browsing.” When you enable InPrivate Browsing, IE does not save browsing history, temporary internet files, form data, or cookies. Once you close the InPrivate Browsing window, all the browsing data from that session is deleted.

It’s worth mentioning that while the browsing data is not stored locally on your device in Incognito mode, it is still possible for your internet service provider (ISP), websites you visit, or other network entities to track your online activities. Incognito mode only provides privacy on your local device by not storing the browsing history, cookies, and other data locally.

To summarize, the Incognito mode or private browsing feature in various browsers does not store browsing history locally on your device. The browsing data is stored temporarily during the session and is deleted when you close the Incognito window. However, it’s crucial to understand that this mode does not make you completely anonymous or hide your online activities from other entities that may be monitoring your internet connection.