Want to browse without being tracked? Try these 5 browsers instead of Google Chrome's Incognito Mode

Ever opened an incognito window and thought, 'Now I'm invisible online'? The reality is, incognito mode is just a thin veil. It keeps your browsing history off your device, but your internet provider, employer, and most websites can still track you. If you want real privacy, better security, or even true anonymity, it's time to look beyond Chrome's incognito and try browsers built for more than just hiding your tracks.
Incognito mode only stops your browser from saving your history and cookies locally. It doesn't block trackers, hide your IP address, or prevent websites from profiling you. Advertisers, your network admin, and even Google itself can still see what you're doing. For anyone serious about privacy or security, incognito is just a starting point, not a solution.
Firefox is a favourite among privacy advocates. It's open-source, so anyone can inspect the code, and it blocks trackers and fingerprinting by default. You can also customise privacy settings to suit your needs, making it a flexible choice for most users.
Use this browser if you value: Privacy, Security
Available on: Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS
Brave blocks ads and trackers out of the box and upgrades your connections to HTTPS whenever possible. It also gives you the option to block scripts that might be following your activity. Brave feels familiar if you're used to Chrome but strips out a lot of the data collection.
Use this browser if you value: Privacy, Security
Available on: Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS
Tor is the go-to for anyone who wants to be truly anonymous online. It routes your traffic through several encrypted nodes, making it very difficult for anyone to trace your activity back to you. It's slower than most browsers, but if you need to keep your identity hidden, nothing beats it.
Use this browser if you value: Anonymity, Privacy
Available on: Windows, macOS, Linux, Android
Epic is designed from the ground up for privacy. It blocks ads, trackers, and fingerprinting technologies, and even disables features like spell-check and auto-fill to keep your data safe. Epic doesn't require much setup and is straightforward to use.
Use this browser if you value: Privacy, Security
Available on: Windows, macOS, Android
Vivaldi gives you a ton of control over your browsing experience. You can tweak privacy settings, block ads and trackers, and customise just about everything. While it's not focused on anonymity, it does a solid job of protecting your privacy and security.
Use this browser if you value: Privacy, Security
Available on: Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS
Incognito mode is fine for hiding your browsing from others who use your device, but it won't protect you from trackers, advertisers, or anyone else watching your activity online. If you care about privacy, security, or anonymity, these browsers give you real options. Take a few minutes to try one out and see how much more private your browsing can feel. Your data is worth protecting, and switching browsers is one of the easiest ways to start.

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

Deccan Herald

36 minutes ago

• Deccan Herald

Samsung to launch Galaxy M36 5G next week in India

Thanks to deeper collaboration with Google and Samsung, the Galaxy M36 will support advanced versions of Gemini AI features. It will be priced under Rs 20,000 in India.

First Post

an hour ago

• First Post

16 billion passwords compromised, says report; have you changed yours?

A massive breach has exposed over 16 billion usernames and passwords from platforms like Google, Apple, Facebook, and more. The leak raises serious cybersecurity concerns, prompting urgent calls for stronger passwords, two-factor authentication, and regular dark web exposure checks. read more A staggering 16 billion usernames and passwords have been exposed in what experts are calling the largest-ever database of stolen credentials. The trove of compromised data includes login details from major platforms such as Apple, Google, Facebook, Telegram, GitHub and even government services, raising alarms over the global state of digital security. Cybersecurity researchers say the breach stems from a collection of 30 massive datasets, each holding tens of millions to over 3.5 billion records. The information, mostly acquired through infostealing malware, appears to be freshly leaked, with nearly all of the datasets previously unreported except for one earlier disclosure of 184 million passwords by researcher Jeremiah Fowler, according to a new investigation by Cybernews. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'Most of these credentials are structured as URLs followed by usernames and passwords, and they cover virtually every type of online service imaginable,' said Vilius Petkauskas, a Cybernews analyst who has been investigating the leak since the beginning of the year. The scale of this breach surpasses previous incidents, including last year's so-called 'Mother of All Breaches' which exposed 26 billion records. While it's unclear whether some of the leaked data might have been repackaged from earlier incidents, researchers insist that this leak is largely new. Lawrence Pingree, vice president at cybersecurity firm Dispersive, explained that such datasets are often circulated and resold on the dark web—sometimes bundled with other leaks, sometimes offered piecemeal. 'Whether it's a repackaged leak or not, 16 billion records is a huge number,' Pingree said. 'This kind of data is valuable precisely because it is so often misused.' The breach underscores how widespread the threat of credential theft has become, with attackers targeting social media platforms, corporate portals, developer tools, and VPN services alike. In response, experts urge users to adopt better security hygiene. Basic protections include running antivirus scans to detect infostealers, checking dark web exposure via tools like Google One's 'Dark Web Report,' and crucially, using strong and unique passwords for every service.

Mint

an hour ago

• Mint

Alphabet's Google tries to appease EU with changes to search result rankings: Report

Alphabet's Google has reportedly put forward additional concessions to address concerns raised by European Union regulators, aiming to avoid a significant antitrust fine under the bloc's new digital competition rules. According to documents reviewed byReuters, the U.S. tech giant is attempting to appease the European Commission by adjusting how rival services are displayed in its search results. The move comes in response to formal charges filed three months ago, accusing Google of favouring its own platforms, such as Google Shopping, Hotels, and Flights at the expense of competitors, in violation of the Digital Markets Act (DMA). You may be interested in The DMA, which came into force earlier this year, outlines strict obligations for so-called 'gatekeeper' platforms to curb anti-competitive behaviour and offer consumers broader choices. Under Google's revised proposal, a selected vertical search service (VSS), chosen based on objective and non-discriminatory criteria would be prominently featured in its own dedicated box at the top of the results page. This box would mirror the design and features of Google's own modules and contain three direct links to offerings in categories like hotels, restaurants, transport, and airlines. Other VSS providers would still be listed further down in the search results, but would not benefit from a similarly prominent display unless users click to access them. Despite the proposal, the company has maintained that it disagrees with the Commission's preliminary conclusions. 'We do not agree with the (Commission's) preliminary findings' position but, on a without prejudice basis, we want to find a workable solution to resolve the present proceedings,' the documents noted. The European Commission has scheduled a meeting on 8 July to gather feedback from competing firms. Several of Google's rivals, who declined to be named ahead of the discussion, expressed scepticism over the effectiveness of the proposed changes. They argue that the measures still fall short of delivering a genuinely level playing field. The outcome of these negotiations could set a crucial precedent for how Big Tech operates under the EU's ambitious digital regulatory framework. (With inputs from Reuters)