How to Browse the Web Privately: 8 Smart Tips for Safe Surfing

Worried about who sees your web activities and browsing history? More than 80% of websites track visitors using tools like cookies and user agent strings. In this guide, you’ll learn exactly how to browse the web privately using VPNs, incognito mode, private search engines like DuckDuckGo, and more.

Keep reading for 8 smart tips that protect your digital privacy today.

Enable Private Browsing Mode

Private browsing mode stops websites from tracking your online moves. Chrome, Safari, Firefox, and Edge all offer this feature with just a few clicks.

How to enable it on Google Chrome

Google Chrome makes private browsing easy—just a couple clicks or taps, and you’re set. Here’s how you open Incognito Mode fast:

1. Click the three-dot menu at the top-right corner in Chrome.
2. Select “New Incognito Tab” from the menu.
3. Use the shortcut Ctrl + Shift + N for Windows or Command + Shift + N for Mac.
4. Check for the spy icon at the top of your screen to be sure you’re now in Incognito Mode.
5. On mobile, tap the three-dot icon.
6. Choose “New Incognito Tab” from the list that appears.
7. To exit, just close all incognito tabs or windows.
8. Keep in mind though—your ISP can still see what sites you visit. Incognito works best with a good VPN. My favorite one is vpnly.com.

How to enable it on Safari

Safari makes private browsing easy on your Apple devices—no history, cookies, or search records kept.

• On Mac, open a private window fast: press Command + Shift + N.
• Or click “File” in the menu bar, then choose “New Private Window“.
• You’ll see a darkened address bar as a quick visual clue you’re in private mode.
• For iPhone, tap the tabs icon at Safari’s bottom corner, then select “Private” to switch over.
• Private browsing affects just the tabs opened while you’re in that mode—your existing regular tabs won’t change.
• If “Private Browsing” is grayed out, check your Screen Time settings to enable it.
• Safari’s private mode stops websites from tracking you online with cookies.
• If you subscribe to iCloud+, the “iCloud Private Relay” feature gives extra protection.
• For more security, Apple lets you lock private Safari sessions with Touch ID or Face ID.

Using a VPN adds another privacy layer that Safari alone doesn’t offer.

How to enable it on Firefox

Firefox makes private browsing quick and easy—your history and cookies won’t stick around.

1. Click the menu icon (three lines) at the upper right corner.
2. Choose “New Private Window” from the drop-down list.
3. Spot the purple mask icon—this means you’re browsing privately.
4. For quick access, hit Ctrl+Shift+P (Windows) or Command+Shift+P (Mac).
5. Or type “about:privatebrowsing” right into the address bar to open directly.
6. When you’re finished, close every private window to erase your activity completely.
7. Firefox removes your browsing history and cookies the moment the final private window closes.
8. Use private windows on public computers to protect your accounts.
9. Firefox no longer supports Windows 8.1 or earlier—so upgrade if you’re on an older PC.
10. For Mac users, Firefox fully supports macOS versions newer than 10.14.

How to enable it on Edge

Microsoft Edge has a simple, private browsing option called InPrivate. It’s handy—lets you surf without keeping history, cookies, passwords, or site data. To quickly get started:

1. Right-click the Edge icon on your taskbar, choose “New InPrivate window“.
2. Press Ctrl + Shift + N (Windows) or Command + Shift + N (Mac) as a shortcut.
3. Right-click any link you’re reading and pick “Open link in InPrivate window” to jump straight in.
4. Spot the blue “InPrivate” tag in the top corner—this confirms you’re browsing privately.
5. Searches and passwords won’t be saved after you close an InPrivate window.
6. Websites and your internet company can still see your IP address even during private browsing.
7. Edge automatically blocks third-party cookies in InPrivate to give you an extra layer of protection.
8. Ending your private session is easy—just close all open InPrivate windows.

Use a Virtual Private Network (VPN)

A VPN hides your IP address, making your browsing safer and more private. It does this by sending your internet traffic through a safe server, hiding your actual location from apps and websites.

Popular options like NordVPN and Private Internet Access use strong AES 256-bit encryption—making sure your data stays completely protected. This level of security keeps anyone from seeing your online activities.

Even your internet service provider can’t spy on your browsing with a VPN in place.

ExpressVPN stands apart for having a solid no-logs policy. That means it never keeps records of your online habits. It also helps unlock content that might be restricted where you live.

Think of a VPN as a shield, protecting your privacy from anyone trying to peek at what you’re doing online. For example, if you’re looking to post anonymously or safely log into banking sites, a reliable VPN can provide that added comfort.

Use a Private Search Engine

VPNs hide your online activity—but search engines still track your searches. For real privacy, DuckDuckGo is the way to go. Unlike Google, Bing, or Yahoo, DuckDuckGo never saves your search history, clicks, or browsing habits.

So… no creepy ads following you everywhere based on stuff you’ve looked at. Nobody builds digital profiles from what you search—your info stays yours alone.

Using private search tools is easy, zero setup needed. Visit duckduckgo.com instead of typing Google into your browser. You still get reliable search results, but without giving your data away to big tech.

This small switch stops one major way companies track you online—one most people aren’t even aware of.

Turn on Do Not Track Settings

Google Chrome has the “Do Not Track” feature turned off by default. It’s a setting that signals websites you’d rather they didn’t follow your browsing habits. To switch it on, just click the “More” menu, go to “Settings”, and find the toggle under “Third-Party Cookies”.

Easy enough—these steps apply whether you’re on Chrome’s desktop version or your Android phone.

Still, many websites don’t honor that request. Even if you enable it, some sites keep collecting data about you to serve targeted ads. Turning on “Do Not Track” sends a signal, sure, but it doesn’t stop tracking completely—it’s more of a polite ask.

Pair it up with other privacy tools, like DuckDuckGo for searches, or Privacy Badger, which blocks hidden trackers.

Avoid Logging into Personal Accounts

Once you turn on Do Not Track, the next move is simple—avoid logging into personal accounts during private browsing. Signing into services like Facebook, Instagram, or your email leaves a clear and traceable digital trail.

These platforms embed tracking codes everywhere, tracing your actions across various websites. Even if private browsing is active… logging into these accounts immediately identifies you and reveals which sites you’re visiting.

Good privacy habits mean staying logged out of personal accounts during private sessions. Platforms monitor all your activities while you’re signed in, creating detailed user profiles used for targeted advertising.

This tracking connects your online actions directly to your real identity, regardless of other privacy measures. So, if you’re planning to open a secret bank account or look into sensitive information, always browse without logging into personal accounts.

Disable Unnecessary Browser Extensions

Browser add-ons may quietly track your online actions—yep, even the innocent-looking ones. Many extensions capture browsing habits, clicks, and interests, then turn around and sell that info to marketers.

In Chrome, just hit the three-dot icon, top right corner, and select “Extensions” to peek at your installed add-ons. For Brave folks, click the three-line menu button, find “Extensions”, and check the list from there.

Edge and Firefox have similar menus too—pretty simple steps to follow.

Browse through carefully, and delete anything you’re not regularly using or don’t recognize. Every extra add-on can mean another chance your private details slip out. Limit yourself to stuff that’s really useful—things like ad blockers, password managers, or privacy helpers.

Keeping it lean keeps you safer.

Use the Tor Browser for Anonymous Browsing

Once you’ve cleared out any shady extensions, boost your privacy further with Tor. It’s a special browser designed to hide your identity online. It sends your traffic through several random “exit nodes”—making it super tricky for anyone to trace your real location or activity.

Tor even includes built-in tools, like HTTPS Everywhere, to keep connections secure. To make sure your download is legit, use GPG signatures for extra peace of mind. Skip using Flash or other plugins—they can spill your data by accident.

Also, steer clear of torrent downloads on Tor—they slow things way down and might reveal who you are.

Tor also gives you access to the dark web—but be careful out there. Nasty malware can hide on those pages, waiting for an unsuspecting visitor.

How Will Anonymous Browsing Change in 2025?

Big changes are coming to private web browsing by 2025. Tech giants will resist privacy tools, as ad revenue slips. Expect stronger VPN services, hiding your location better from internet providers.

The Tor browser will become faster—and friendlier—for everyday users. Smart TVs and phones will soon have privacy modes built right in, blocking trackers automatically.

Privacy laws will also tighten globally, pushing browsers into adding new privacy tools. Search engines like DuckDuckGo will become more popular in the coming years. Services will pop up that offer one-time emails and phone numbers for safer website sign-ups.

Your devices—like laptops and phones—will alert you if an app tries tracking your activity. These features can help protect your data… but even then, nothing completely stops all cybercrime.

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