A Guide to Private Browsing for Parents

If you are a parent who wants to protect your children from the dangers of the internet, you might have heard of private browsing. But what is it exactly, and how does it work? In this blog post, we will explain what private browsing is and what it is not and how you can use it to enhance your online safety and privacy.

What is private browsing?

Private browsing is a feature that most web browsers offer to let you surf the web without leaving any traces of your activity on your device. When you use private browsing, your browser does not save your browsing history, cookies, passwords, autofill data, or other information that could reveal what sites you visited or did online. This means that anyone who uses your device after you cannot see what you did in private browsing mode.

What is private browsing not?

Private browsing is not a magic bullet that can protect you from all online threats. It does not prevent websites from tracking your online behavior, collecting your personal data, or showing you targeted ads. It does not hide your IP address or location from the websites you visit or the network you use. It does not encrypt your data or make you anonymous online. It does not protect you from malware, phishing, or other cyberattacks.

How can you use private browsing?

Private browsing can be helpful for various reasons. For example, you can use it to:

• Shop online without getting bombarded with ads for similar products later
• Research sensitive topics without worrying about your search history being exposed
• Access websites that are blocked or censored in your region
• Log into multiple accounts on the same website without logging out of the others
• Avoid personalized recommendations or suggestions based on your previous activity

How do I turn on private browsing in my browser?

To use private browsing, you need to follow these steps:

1. Open your web browser and click the menu button (usually three dots or lines) in the top right corner.
2. Select the option for private browsing. The name and icon of this option may vary depending on the browser you use. For example, in Chrome it is called Incognito mode and has an icon of a hat and glasses. In Firefox it is called Private Browsing and has an icon of a mask. In Safari it is called Private Browsing and has an icon of an eye with a slash.
3. A new window or tab will open in private mode. Your browser will indicate that you are in private mode by changing the colour or appearance of the window or tab.
4. You can now browse the web privately. You can switch between private and normal windows or tabs as you wish, but remember that anything you do in normal mode will be saved on your device.
5. To exit private browsing, you need to close all the private windows or tabs that you have opened. Your browser will not remember anything that you did in private mode.

What are some other ways to stay safe online?

Private browsing is not the only way to protect online privacy and security. Here are some other tips that can help you stay safe online:

• Use a strong and unique password for each account and change it regularly.
• Use a password manager to store and generate passwords securely.
• Use two-factor authentication whenever possible to add an extra layer of security to your accounts.
• Use a VPN (virtual private network) to encrypt your data and hide your IP address and location from prying eyes.
• Use antivirus software and keep it updated to protect your device from malware and other threats.
• Use a firewall to block unauthorized access to your device or network.
• Be careful about what information you share online and who you share it with. Do not reveal personal or financial details to strangers or untrusted websites.
• Be wary of phishing emails or messages that trick you into clicking on malicious links or attachments or giving away your passwords or other sensitive information.
• Check the URL and the security certificate of the websites you visit before entering any information. Look for the padlock icon and the https prefix in the address bar.
• Review the privacy settings and policies of your websites and apps and adjust them according to your preferences.

Related Questions

What is a VPN?

A VPN (virtual private network) is a service that creates a secure connection between your device and a server on the internet. When you use a VPN, all your data is encrypted and routed through the server, making it harder for anyone to intercept or spy on your online activity. A VPN also masks your IP address and location, making it seem like you are accessing the internet from a different country or region. This can help you bypass geo-restrictions and censorship on certain websites or content.

A VPN can offer many benefits for online privacy and security, such as:

• Protecting your data from hackers, ISPs, governments, or other third parties who might want to monitor or steal your information
• Accessing websites or services that are not available in your region, such as Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, etc.
• Avoiding bandwidth throttling or speed reduction by your ISP or network provider
• Saving money on online shopping, flights, hotels, etc., by changing your location and currency
• Enhancing your online gaming experience by reducing lag and latency

To use a VPN, you need to sign up for a VPN service and download and install a VPN app on your device. Many VPN services and apps are available, but not all are reliable or trustworthy. Before choosing one, you should research and compare the features, prices, reviews, and reputation of different VPN providers. You should also check the privacy policy and terms of service of the VPN service and make sure they do not log or sell your data.

Once you have a VPN app, you can connect to a VPN server and browse the web privately and securely. You can switch between different servers and locations, but remember that some servers may be faster or slower than others. You can also disconnect from the VPN when you don’t need it or when it affects your internet speed or performance.

What is a firewall?

A firewall is a software or hardware device that monitors and controls the incoming and outgoing network traffic on your device or network. A firewall acts as a barrier between your device or network and the internet, allowing only authorized traffic to pass through and blocking unwanted or malicious traffic.

A firewall can offer many benefits for online privacy and security, such as:

• Preventing hackers, viruses, worms, trojans, spyware, ransomware, or other threats from accessing your device or network
• Blocking unwanted pop-ups, ads, notifications, or requests from websites or apps
• Filtering out spam, phishing, scam, or fraudulent emails or messages
• Restricting access to certain websites or content based on rules or criteria
• Protecting your personal or financial data from being stolen or leaked
• Enhancing your online gaming experience by reducing lag and latency

You must install and configure firewall software or hardware on your device or network to use a firewall. Many firewall software and hardware are available, but not all are reliable or trustworthy. Before choosing one, you should research and compare the features, prices, reviews, and reputation of different firewall providers. You should also check the firewall software or hardware’s privacy policy and terms of service and ensure they do not log or sell your data.

Once you have firewall software or hardware on your device or network, you can set up the rules and preferences for the firewall to control the network traffic. You can choose which programs, ports, protocols, or IP addresses to allow or block and customize the level of security and protection you want. You can also monitor and manage the firewall activity and performance and adjust the settings as needed.

What is two-factor authentication?

Two-factor authentication (also known as 2FA, multi-factor authentication, or verification) is a security feature that requires you to provide two pieces of evidence to prove your identity when logging into an account or service.

The two pieces of evidence are usually something you know (such as a password) and something you have (such as a phone, a code, a token, a fingerprint, etc.). This way, even if someone steals or guesses your password, they cannot access your account without the second factor.

Two-factor authentication can offer many benefits for online privacy and security, such as:

• Protecting your account from unauthorized access by hackers, scammers, or imposters
• Preventing identity theft, fraud, or data breach by adding an extra layer of protection to your personal or financial information
• Alerting you to any suspicious or unusual activity on your account by sending you a notification or a code
• Enhancing your online experience by reducing the need to remember or enter complex passwords

To use two-factor authentication, you need to enable it on the account or service that you want to protect. Many accounts and services offer two-factor authentication, such as email, social media, banking, shopping, gaming, etc. You should check the security settings and options of the account or service and follow the instructions to set up two-factor authentication. You may need to provide your phone number, email address, or other information to receive the second factor.

Once you have enabled two-factor authentication, you must enter both your password and the second factor every time you log into your account or service. The second factor may be a code sent to your phone or email, a code generated by an app or a device, a link you need to click on, a fingerprint scan, a facial recognition, etc. You may also have the option to remember your device or browser so that you do not need to enter the second factor again on the same device or browser.

Conclusion

Private browsing is a handy feature that can help you protect your privacy and security online. However, it is not a foolproof solution and has limitations. You still need to be careful about what websites you visit, what information you share, and what networks you use. You must also educate yourself and your children about the risks and benefits of using the internet and how to stay safe online.