Incognito mode, sometimes called private browsing or privacy mode, is a great choice for anyone concerned about their online anonymity. On the other hand, there may be instances when you’d like to revisit the websites you visited while remaining anonymous. Using incognito mode does hide your browsing history from prying eyes, but even on iOS and Android, certain traces of your online activities may remain. Find out how to see your incognito history and how to delete it on Chrome and on your phone devices.
How to See Incognito History
You can prevent your device from preserving your browser history by switching to incognito mode, private browsing, or in-private mode. Another way incognito mode helps keep your activities concealed from anyone who uses your device later is that it doesn’t preserve temporary data, such as cookies or login information for websites.
But is there any way to discover what you did when you were using incognito mode after you closed the browser window? Although it may be difficult, you can view your incognito history again; just read on to find out how.
We will provide you with two options: either see your incognito history to locate that one particular present you were looking for last night or permanently delete it. Knowing what gets saved and what doesn’t will be helpful the next time you use the incognito tab. In order to gain greater privacy, read on to learn how to delete your history in incognito mode.
How to See Incognito History
Looking into the DNS cache on a Windows or Mac computer can reveal your private browsing history. Browser add-ons also allow you to record your incognito history. This is how these techniques function.
On Windows PC
Your incognito history remains visible in your DNS cache when you close your web browser on a Windows system. The Domain Name System (DNS) matches a website’s IP address to its URL. To access a website, all you have to do is type its URL into your browser; a DNS server will then look up the IP address. Even when you’re using incognito mode, this data is stored in the DNS cache. By storing domain information locally, the DNS cache prevents your browser from repeatedly querying the DNS server, therefore speeding up your browsing experience.
On a Windows device, you can access the DNS cache to restore or erase your incognito history, or even erase your whole browsing history.
Using the DNS cache, you can view your past web searches in the following ways:
- Press the Start button
- By entering cmd into the search box, one can access Command Prompt.
- Select “Run as administrator.”
- Type ipconfig/displaydns into the command prompt.
- Tap the Enter key. A record of your DNS cache will be displayed.
For macOS
The DNS cache on an Apple device also stores incognito history. Your Mac will look for the domain name system (DNS) when you go online, and it will convert the domain name to an IP address. The purpose of caching is to save you the trouble of constantly refreshing the directory by storing the details of websites you visit. You can view that cache; however, it’s not straightforward. The Terminal and Console apps are also necessary. I’ll show you how that works.
- Launch Console by navigating to Applications > Utilities.
- On the left side, under “Devices,” you should see your Mac.
- Fill up the search box with any responder for mdns
- Select “Start” from the menu that appears.
- Reopen the terminal by navigating to Applications > Utilities.
Type the following into Terminal:
- sudo killall -INFO mDNSResponder
- Type “Enter”
- Punch in the administrative password.
- Return to the Console app to view the DNS records that have been cached.
With Browser Extensions
Even while you’re incognito, there are Chrome extensions that claim to save your whole browsing history. Because of the strange and unethical vibes they give off, we do not support their use. One option to consider, though, is off-the-record history. With this feature, you may customize your incognito browsing experience by saving your history for a few days and then deleting it manually before that time expires. After installing the extension, go to Chrome’s settings and look for an option to “Allow incognito.”
On Android and Ios Devices
You can’t use a DNS cache to get a private browsing history. But with the help of third-party monitoring apps, you can configure your phone to record even when you’re not using it to access the internet. If a parent installs a parental control app on their child’s phone, it will show all of their online activities, even when they’re not using incognito mode. Again, we do not support the usage of stalkerware apps, yet they can also perform this function.
How to Delete Incognito History
In most cases, clearing your incognito history is automatic, as your browser does not save it. Using the aforementioned approaches, only an incredibly determined snoop will be able to locate it. Here are the steps to clear your DNS cache on different devices so you can erase all traces of your private surfing history.
When using Windows
Following these steps will delete your DNS cache:
- Press the Start button
- By entering cmd into the search box, one can access Command Prompt.
- Select “Run as administrator.”
- Type ipconfig/flushdns into the command prompt.
- Press the Enter key.
To clear your macOS DNS cache, follow these steps:
- Reopen the terminal by navigating to Applications > Utilities.
- Press enter on the terminal.
- “sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder”
- Type “Enter”
- Punch in the administrative password.
How to Hide Your Incognito Browsing History
Curiosity abounds among the inhabitants of our planet. They might look through your incognito history and do whatever else they want on your phone. The reasons, of course, differ from one viewer to the next.
We already established that Internet service providers (ISPs) aren’t the only ones capable of monitoring your private web surfing history. Listed below are some of the entities who could possibly be interested in viewing your incognito browsing history along with the reasons behind their potential monitoring of your browser’s DNS requests.
#1. Central Governments
If you use incognito browsing, the government can still see what sites you’ve visited for censorship or to make sure you’re following the law. This occurs more frequently in nations undergoing continuous conflict and, on occasion, in countries governed by autocrats as well.
#2. ISPs
When you shop online, corporations track your every move. A major source of revenue for ISPs comes from the sale of user data to third parties, such as marketers. That is why they would see what you were up to when you were incognito. Regardless of how immoral it is, internet service providers will nonetheless examine your private browsing history in order to limit your data transfer speeds.
#3. Websites
In order for websites to keep tabs on your private browsing history, you need to visit them multiple times from the same IP address.
#4. Businesses and Universities
Everyone who has ever worked in an office or used a school computer knows that some sites are off-limits. In most cases, these include pornographic websites and social networking platforms. Thus, whether you’re in incognito mode or not, schools and companies will still be able to see what websites you visit.
Take your time erasing your incognito mode history if you value its privacy. After each session of browsing, follow the steps we outlined above to remove it. An additional layer of protection is to employ a VPN. But you can’t get away with using any old VPN; you need a reliable one.
Even when using incognito mode, you may still surf the web anonymously with Clario’s VPN, a trustworthy and secure VPN service.
Why? Because it hides your IP address so well that no one can tell what website you’re visiting. Your data and privacy should be your top priority when using the internet, and this ensures that they are protected.
Use Clario’s VPN to hide your online footprint and protect your personal information right now.
- To play Clario, get the app on your computer or mobile device.
- Click on Browsing, and then turn on Browsing Security.
- By selecting Allow, Clario will now select a server location based on its speed. Just touch the country and select it from the drop-down menu if you want another.
How to See Incognito History on Chrome
Would you like me to remember which websites you visited after opening an anonymous tab? Regrettably, you are limited to using one of the aforementioned techniques unless you have taken extra precautions, such as installing an extension that records your incognito history for later review, to avoid detection.
It may be beneficial to clear your browser’s cache and history periodically because it creates and keeps a lot of data. Is it necessary that you have an extension that keeps track of your private browsing history? Nonetheless, it could serve a purpose, such as keeping tabs on your child’s online activities.
Here’s how to use an add-on for Google Chrome to see incognito browsing history:
- Turn off the option to save history, and then add it to Chrome.
- In the pop-up, click “Add extension” to confirm the installation.
- After that, you need to turn on the extension. In the address bar, type chrome://extensions/. Then, find the Off-Record History extension and click on Details.
- Toggle the option to enable incognito mode by scrolling down. Even when you’re not logged in, you’ll be able to see your incognito history on Chrome.
After seven days, this plugin will automatically remove your incognito history on Chrome. Manually erasing incognito history in Chrome is also possible via the extension’s settings.
Did you know that Chrome has a built-in feature to block websites? We’re exploring ways to modify it. Additionally, if you frequently use Chrome, you should make it your default browser.
Downloading Chrome for Mac can allow Mac users to make use of extensions like Off the Record History, while Windows users also have the option to change their default browser.
Does Incognito Mode Leave Any Trace?
A data trail is left even when incognito mode is used. Neither your internet service provider nor your company will be able to see what websites you visit using this. Your location, history of websites visited, and any other personally identifiable information you may be supplying are all visible to them. With incognito mode enabled, only other device-sharing users will be able to see what you’re up to.
Furthermore, once a keylogger has infiltrated your computer, the individual responsible for installing it will have access to all of your online activities. An anti-malware check is essential while trying to erase any evidence of your actions.
Although incognito mode does not save any cookies or history, even a strong browser cleaning tool might not be able to remove DNS records that contain evidence of your incognito activities. You may clear your incognito history with the DNS cache, which is a relief. So that no trace of the websites you visited remains in your device’s cache, this disables incognito browsing.
Are Incognito Searches Saved?
Even though most browsers disable incognito mode, if you sign in to a service like Google or Bing while using incognito mode, the search engine might log your queries. Someone with more technical know-how can access your device’s DNS cache, which also stores your activity.
How Can You Track Incognito History?
Installing programs that can monitor a device’s browsing history even incognito history is something we don’t think is ethical. This is installed on people’s devices without their knowledge and is called stalkerware (or spyware if it’s employed by corporations or governments). Parents may keep tabs on their children’s online activities, including their incognito history, with the help of parental control programs, which are more reputable.
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