So-Called 'Private' Browsing Not That Private, Study Finds

So-Called 'Private' Browsing Not That Private, Study Finds - Science in the News

Photo Credit: Pixabay

By Amber Bennett

When you browse the web, do you take advantage of the "private" or "incognito" browsing option? It turns out, you're not getting as much privacy as you might expect, according to a new study.

How Incognito Mode Works

Many popular web browsers, such as Apple Safari and Google Chrome, include a private or incognito option. It allows you to surf the web without the browser noting in your history where you went online. Plus, your browser's suggestions on forms and search engines won't be affected by where you go while in private mode.

Many people choose to use incognito mode because they have to share a computer with family members or co-workers and don't want others to see what sorts of things they look at online.

Misconceptions About Private Browsing

However, people often incorrectly believe that using private mode offers more protections than it really does. This is true even if they have read a full explanation of what incognito mode offers.
In the study mentioned above, 460 people read one of 13 descriptions of how private/incognito browsing works. They then answered questions about private browsing and how much protection it offers.

The study participants truly didn't understand private browsing, no matter which of the 13 descriptions they read before taking the test. For example:

Around 25 percent thought incognito mode hides your IP address. Not true.
More than 50 percent thought browsing on Chrome in incognito mode would keep Google from recording their search history. Also not true.

How Well Do You Understand Private Browsing?

You can take a quiz here to check your knowledge. And it might not hurt to reread your preferred browser's incognito mode info before you use it again.

Comments

3 Easy Science Experiments to Do with Your Kids

By Amber Bennett Strong STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) skills set kids up to succeed both in school and later in life. Encouraging them to be interested in these subjects is easier than you might think, especially if you start when they're young. Activities that encourage children to be curious and creative will spark a love of learning. Plus, science experiments and other hands-on STEM projects are a fun way to bond with your kids. Here are three easy science experiments that preschoolers and early elementary students will enjoy. 1. Leakproof Plastic Bag A (age 5) doing the leakproof plastic bag experiment. Our preschooler loves to do any experiment that involves water. I can give her a couple of beakers, and she'll happily pour water back and forth between them, especially if I put a few drops of food coloring in each beaker so she can mix the colors. Another great activity that involves water is the leakproof plastic bag. All you need are: Large plastic

How Virtual Currency Mining Is Hurting the Environment - Science in the News

Datacenters used for cryptocurrency mining use a lot of energy. By Amber Bennett Although cryptocurrencies are virtual, they are having a tangible impact on our environment. Research shows that cryptocurrencies actually are worse for the earth than other types of money. So, why is that? Simply put, it's because of the resources needed to run the supercomputers that mine Bitcoin and other virtual currencies. Energy Use The datacenters used for mining use large amounts of electricity. For example, the global Bitcoin network uses more energy than entire countries . In fact, according to the University of Cambridge Bitcoin Electricity Consumption Index , the network's power demand is the same as more than 14 million typical American homes. Most of the energy used in the datacenters comes from fossil fuels instead of renewable resources. Plus, datacenters' high energy use can destabilize the electric grid. Materials Mining Another way that cryptocurrency impacts the environme

10 Science Channels That Are Worth a Sub on YouTube

If you're going to spend time watching videos on YouTube, why not learn something while you're at it? Whether you like slow-motion videos of explosions, crazy chemistry and physics demos, or simple explanations of complex science concepts, the following 10 YouTube channels are worth your subscription. By Amber Bennett 1. Physics Girl Source: YouTube/Physics Girl Dianna Cowern's Physics Girl channel features demos, experiments, and other cool stuff (be sure to check out her 1,800-mile test drive of a hydrogen fuel cell car ). If you have just started studying physics or would like to brush up on the basics, we recommend starting with this playlist . 2. Vsauce Source: YouTube/Vsauce Michael Stevens' Vsauce channel covers a wide variety of subjects, including space, art, physics, and human behavior. His physics videos answer such questions as " Which way is down ?" and " How much does a shadow weigh ?" You can check out his physics videos on this p

Bennett Science Blog

Search This Blog