As usual, any internet browser comes with a feature called “Incognito Mode” by default, which does not mean that you are browsing the web invisibly, but rather it deletes your activity on the browser like history and cookies once you exit. This is useful in many cases for maintaining privacy. We have previously discussed 4 use cases for the incognito browsing feature in internet browsers, but another alternative is Guest mode. It is a built-in option in Google Chrome browser and is similar to incognito mode as it performs the same task, but at a higher level when it comes to protecting your privacy. In this article, we will explore Guest mode in Google Chrome and the differences between it and incognito mode.
Initially, it is important to note that both Incognito Mode and Guest mode will not hide your identity on the internet to protect your privacy forever. Your computer owner and internet providers can still track and see your browsing activity while using these modes. However, their real role is temporary browsing, so once you exit the mode, everything is encrypted and deleted.
Since Google Chrome browser does not come activated with Guest mode by default, you will need to manually enable it through the settings. To start, after launching the browser, click on the more options icon in the browser’s corner, then click on Settings. Under the People section, check the box next to “Enable Guest Browsing” to add the Guest browsing option. To start using it, click on the button that includes your name and select Guest.
Now, a separate window of Google Chrome will open, appearing as if you have just launched the browser for the first time after installation. The window is free of any data related to you, as Guest mode is designed to allow others to browse the internet on your computer while preserving your privacy and account information. Users of this mode cannot access your information, settings, change settings, install add-ons, or view browsing history. The browsing activity is completely independent, and as mentioned, all activity will be deleted once you exit the mode by clicking on “Guest” at the top left and selecting “Exit Guest” from the menu that appears.
If we highlight the differences between Guest mode and Incognito mode, there are not many differences, but they are limited. Each mode may encourage you to use the appropriate one for you. Guest mode, unlike Incognito mode, leaves no trace of your browsing activity like browsing history or cookies on the computer. On the other hand, while using Incognito mode, you can still see your browsing history, saved bookmarks, saved passwords, autofill data, and access Google Chrome settings to change them. The available options in each mode are illustrated in the image above, with Guest mode offering limited options compared to Incognito mode.
