Mac User's Guide for Browsing Privately in Safari

Safari's private browsing feature allows you to keep your online activities secret from those who use your Mac. You can use it for gift shopping, getting the answer to embarrassing questions, or doing anything else you wish to do in private.

Even so, incognito or private browsing won't stop your internet service provider from tracking your online activities based on your IP address. There's a VPN you need for that, which we'll discuss shortly.

How does Safari's private browsing mode work?

When you browse the web normally in Safari, the website you visit, the data on the site and the files you download will be saved. For instance, you can click History in the menu bar to see a list of your recently visited websites. After that, Safari will automatically enter any saved usernames and passwords when you revisit them. Thus, Safari might suggest you the sites, you've visited in the past to someone else using your Mac, and it could even, auto-fill your personal information so they can log in to your accounts.

A solution to this problem is private browsing. Using private browsing in Safari also referred to as Incognito Mode in other browsers, will prevent your Mac from saving your web history or login information from the websites you visit. It will also delete your web cookies, cache, and downloads when you're finished.

Additionally, Safari doesn't sync private tabs over iCloud or allow you to use them with Handoff, they can only be used on your Mac, and only for as long as you leave the browser's tab. But, many times users face issues while using the private browsing feature of safari.

Private browsing mode cannot fully protect your privacy

Even though it's a good start, there are still problems with incognito private windows in web browsers:

·       You can still be tracked online by websites and your ISP if your IP address is visible to them

·    Even if you use a private browser, spyware or parental control software can still keep track of your activities on your Mac

·        You can still see any files you download after you end private browsing on your Mac

However, for complete protection, you should install antivirus software and a VPN on your Mac for the best protection of your privacy. In that way, you won't have to worry about your ISP tracking your online activities, and you can be certain that your Mac is not infected with spyware. If you wish to optimize your device completely, you may also use Mac Optimizer Pro software. It is a best Mac optimizer in the marketplace, and it removes redundant files automatically, just with a few clicks.

Steps to open a private Safari window on your Mac

You can start your Mac's private browsing session by:

1.   Launch Safari

2.   Select File > New Private Window

That's all. You'll see a darker Smart Search bar with white text in your private browsing window, but it looks like a normal Safari window otherwise. Alternatively, you can use the Shift + Command + N keyboard shortcut while using Safari to automatically open a new private window.

As soon as you open a private window in Safari, you can browse any website as you normally would and you will appear incognito. In other words, Safari will not remember where you go or log you into any websites you visit. Remember that, any bookmarks and files you save will be preserved. 

The steps for opening a private tab in Safari

You can open as many new tabs as you like by clicking the plus (+) icon in Safari's toolbar or by pressing Command + T. All tabs opened in the private browsing window will also be incognito. Safari keeps tabs separate when browsing in private mode, so websites in one tab cannot see what you're doing in others.

Sadly, if you open a regular browsing window in Safari, you won't be able to open a private browsing tab in a regular window. The only alternative to tackle this is to create private tabs in a new private window. Nevertheless, opening a normal window and a private window simultaneously in Safari is ok, but, just make sure you don't mix them up.

Privacy settings in Safari

In Safari, if you want to always use private windows, but are worried that you may forget to open one, you can have Safari open a private window by default. To make private windows the default, simply follow the instructions below:

·        Launch Safari

·        Navigate to Safari > Preferences

·        Click on the General tab

·        Next to Safari, click on A new private window

As a result, Safari will open a new private window each time you launch it. However, any subsequent windows you open will open as normal browsing windows.

Turning-off private browsing on a Mac and deleting your browsing history

As you complete your gift shopping, research, or whatever else you wanted to do in Safari's private browsing mode, simply close your incognito window and open a new window to switch it off.  

To do this:

·        Press the Command + W keyboard shortcut or click the red button in the top-left corner.

·        Then, press File > New Window or Command + N to open a new window.

Be sure to delete any files you downloaded when you close your private window so that everything remains private.

Additional privacy tips

Safari's private and incognito browsing options are good, but if you want to protect your Mac's privacy, you should also use a VPN. Your IP address will be masked if you use a VPN, preventing websites and ISPs from tracking you. Furthermore, you have to ensure your Mac is protected from spyware and other types of malware. Apple's macOS comes with some protective software, such as Gatekeeper and XProtect. However, you should additionally install a good antivirus program.

Last but not least, if you share your Mac with other people, create a separate user profile for each of them. By doing so, you won't need to worry about others discovering your browsing history since they can use their user account instead, with their browsing history.

Even so, incognito or private browsing won't stop your internet service provider from tracking your online activities based on your IP address.