Did you know that the most common Internet browsers (Internet Explorer, Chrome, Firefox) track the pages you view on your computer?

They store the web address (URL) of each website page you visit and keeps that information even after you’ve closed the browser tab or the whole browser. This is known as your History. The purpose is to make it easier for you to find the same web pages at a later stage.

However, browsers also store “cookies” which are files that website owners and advertisers embed into their sites. These cookies have different functions such as remembering your password without loggin each time, or gathering information about your buying habits, or tracking your movements from site to site, across the web. You may notice that some sites will have a pop up with a message stating that the site has cookies, and you need to accept this to continue with viewing the site.

There are a number of things you can do from adding additional features to your browsers, and the article, Everyone’s Trying to Track What You Do on the Web: Here’s How to Stop Them on LifeHacker.com has a lot of suggestions.

One easy suggestion is to browse in “Incognito” or “Private” mode. This is not perfect, however, it will do the trick if you don’t want the history to show up in your browser.

1. If you’re using Firefox

1. Start Firefox and click the hamburger icon in the top right corner of the screen
2. From the drop-down menu, click on the option, New Private Window
3. Start browsing the Internet

Alternatively, use the shortcut keyboard keys: CTRL + SHIFT + P.

2. If you’re using Chrome

1. Start Chrome and click the wrench icon    in the top right corner of the screen
2. From the drop-down menu, click on the option, New incognito window
3. Start browsing the Internet

Alternatively, use the shortcut keyboard keys: Ctrl + Shift + N.

3. If you’re using Internet Explorer (IE)

1. Start Internet Explorer and click the cog icon  in the top right corner of the screen
2. From the drop-down menu, click on the option, Safety and then click on InPrivate Browsing
3. Start browsing the Internet

Alternatively, use the shortcut keyboard keys: CTRL + SHIFT + P.

If you’re using Microsoft Edge, it is recommended, based on the article, Stop using Microsoft Edge’s InPrivate Mode to NOT use their InPrivate mode as it is counterintuitive.

Happy Browsing!

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