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Q: How do I enable a Private Browsing session?

Context

  • You do not want the browser to remember which sites you visited or to save anything in the browser's cache during a browsing session
  • You are using a shared or a public computer
  • You are concerned about privacy when accessing a website that contains private personal information (such as your online bank account, Atlas, web mail)

Answer

Use the steps below to enable a Private Browsing session. This allows you to browse the Internet without saving any history or data.

Note:
  • If you create new Bookmarks while using Private Browsing, they will not be removed when you stop Private Browsing.
  • If you save files to your computer while using Private Browsing, those files will not be deleted when you stop Private Browsing. However, any files you open in an external application will be cleared from the system's temporary folder, and none of the files you download will appear in the Downloads window list.
  • Using Private Browsing does not make you anonymous on the Internet.

Firefox - any version (Macintosh, Windows, Linux)

  • Follow the menu path Firefox >> Start Private Browsing (Windows) or Tools >> Start Private Browsing (Macintosh)
  • Or: PC – Ctrl+Shift+P / Mac – Cmd+Shift+P
  • You will be asked if you want to start the private browsing now, click on the Start private browsing button to confirm.

Internet Explorer 8 and later (Windows)

Microsoft officially ended support for Internet Explorer on June 15, 2022.
  • Follow the menu path Safety >> InPrivate Browsing (Control+Shift+P)
  • A new browser window will open a private browsing session, and you will see the InPrivate indicator:
    Close the window to end the private browsing session.

Safari - any version (Windows & Macintosh)

  • Follow the menu path Edit >> Private Browsing (Windows) or Safari >> Private Browsing (Macintosh)
  • When it asks if you want to turn on Private Browsing, click OK. You will see the indicator PRIVATE in the browser address bar:
    To turn off Private Browsing, click on the indicator.

Chrome - any version (Windows & Macintosh)

  • Follow the menu path File (top right corner) >> New Incognito Window

IS&T Contributions

Documentation and information provided by IS&T staff members


Last Modified:

June 27, 2022

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