Surf anonymously and incognito in Firefox, Chrome or IE

This overview shows you how to surf incognito in Firefox, Chrome or Internet Explorer. If you surf anonymously, the browser history and browser data such as cookies or temporary internet data are not saved - bookmarks or downloaded files are retained.

Anonymous & incognito: surf privately in Firefox

There are two ways to start incognito mode (called "private surfing" in Firefox) in Firefox:

1. You can start anonymous mode from the Firefox menu. To do this, click on the three lines at the top right and select "New private window". You can tell that you are in incognito mode from the fact that the Firefox button is colored purple.
2. The second way to start incognito mode in Firefox is to use a keyboard shortcut. To do this, press the [Ctrl] + [Shift] + [P] keys. Again, Firefox asks you if you want to start private mode. Confirm to start incognito mode.

Exit incognito mode in Firefox

To exit incognito mode in Firefox, click the purple Firefox button at the top and then select "Exit private mode". Alternatively, you can end anonymous surfing with the key combination [Ctrl] + [Shift (Shift) + [P].

Surf anonymously in Chrome

1. In Chrome, you start incognito mode via the Chrome menu. To do this, click on the symbol with the three bars across the top right (next to the address line). Then select "New Incognito Window". A new Chrome window opens in incognito mode. You can tell that you are in incognito mode by a "spy icon" at the top left next to the opened tabs.
2. Alternatively, you can surf anonymously using a key combination. To do this, press the [Ctrl] + [Shift] + [N] keys.

Exit incognito mode in Chrome

To exit incognito mode in Chrome, all you have to do is close the incognito window.

Surf anonymously in IE

• To start incognito mode via the IE menu, first click on the gear icon at the top right (next to the open tabs). First select "Security", then "InPrivate Browsing". In the browser window that opens, you can now surf incognito. You can see that you are in incognito mode at the top left next to the address bar: "InPrivate" now appears here.
• Alternatively, you can call incognito mode using the key combination [Ctrl] + [Shift (Shift) + [P].

Exit incognito mode in IE

You only have to close the incognito window to exit incognito mode in IE.

More about data protection & privacy: Anonymous and secure on the Internet

On 46 pages you will learn how to properly encrypt files on PC and in the cloud and to protect your privacy. In selected articles from the CHIP archive, we show how you can lock out data collectors and snoopers, how you can leave as few traces on the Internet as possible and how you give Google a private mode.

• Go to the CHIP kiosk and get the exclusive CHIP guide "Anonymous & secure on the Internet". Then download the PDF and get started right away.
• From simple instructions for beginners to professional tips, such as how to encrypt your Dropbox with OpenPGP, there is something for everyone.