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Private/Incognito Mode

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Whenever you visit a website, all data such as text, media (images, videos etc.), and cookies are loaded, then stored on your computer for faster viewing. Private/Incognito Mode is a setting that prevents the browser from storing any date. This mode may take the page slightly longer to load. However; this avoids corrupt cookie problems or presentation of old website code. 

To access Private/Incognito Mode:

Google Chrome: Open Incognito Mode

  1. Click the kebab icon in the top-right corner of the browser window, then select New Incognito Window.  (You can also access this option from the File menu on a Mac.)

    Cognito.png

    OR

  2. Alternatively, press the keyboard shortcut Control+Shift+N on Windows or Command+Shift+N on a Mac.

How do I know if I'm in Incognito Mode?

Look for the man-in-a-hat icon On Windows, this will be in the upper left-hand corner. On a Mac, this will be in the upper-right corner. (On some systems running the newest version of Chrome, the window will also be dark grey.)

Incognito.png


Mozilla Firefox: Open a Private Browsing Window

  1. Click the menu in the upper-right corner and select New Private Window. (You can also access this option from the File menu on a Mac.)

    OR

  2. Alternatively, press the keyboard shortcut Control+Shift+N on Windows or Command+Shift+N on a Mac.

How do I know if I'm in Private Browsing Mode?

Your window will have a purple bar across the top of the window and an icon in the upper-right corner.


  1. Click the gear icon in the upper-right corner, then select Safety and click "InPrivate Browsing".

    OR

  2.  Alternatively, press the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+Shift+P.

How do I know if I'm in InPrivate Browsing Mode?

There will be a blue box next to the location bar, which also bears the label “InPrivate”.


Microsoft Edge: Open an InPrivate Browsing Window

  1. Click the menu icon in the upper-right corner (it will be three dots), then select New InPrivate Browsing Window.

    OR

  2.  Alternatively, press the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+Shift+P.

How do I know if I'm in InPrivate Browsing Mode?

The entire browser window will be grey and each tab will say “InPrivate”.


Safari: Open a Private Browsing Window

  1. Click File on the top menu, then select New Private Window.

    OR

  2.  Alternatively, press the keyboard shortcut Shift+Command+N.

How do I know if I'm in Private Browsing Mode?

The URL bar will be greyed out and a band along the top of the new tab window indicates that you are in private browsing mode.

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