x
Breaking News
More () »

Shhhh! Why Private Online Searches Aren't Really Private.

Consumer Reports looks at what is private and what is not.

CONSUMER REPORTS -- If you don't want anyone to see what you're looking at online, you go to privacy mode. Every browser has one and most people think it makes your searches disappear.

But here's the thing, even if you've seemed to disappear on your computer history that company or site you searched on your phone or computer is still identifying and storing your search. Consumer Reports looked at how private browsing works or doesn't.

REGULAR SEARCH:

When you search online, your browser keeps a history of those places, and stores cookies, which are little files that advertisers use so they can keep track of what you searched, and that leads to you being sent targeted ads.

PRIVATE SESSION SEARCH:

When you have a private session, the history is gone. You get less ads because those cookies aren't there.

If you use a library computer or a public computer, like a hotel computer to print off a boarding pass, using a private session erases the personal data you had to input...like usernames or passwords.

WHAT PRIVATE BROWSING DOESNT DO:

But private browsing doesn't erase the record of your visit form a website's servers--or any networks you went to get through to a site. Which means if you're on your employer's wi-fi network, your company will know which sites you visited.

Before You Leave, Check This Out