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Troubleshooting

How to Hide What You're Doing on the Internet

Different tools hide different things. Here's exactly what each option hides — and what it doesn't.

Updated 2026

  1. 1

    Incognito / private mode

    Stops your browser saving history, cookies and form data on your device. Does NOT hide traffic from your router, ISP, school or employer. Good for: shared devices. Not good for: real privacy.

  2. 2

    HTTPS (the padlock)

    Encrypts the content of your web traffic. Your router and ISP can see which websites you visit but not the specific pages, searches or messages. Always look for the padlock.

  3. 3

    A VPN

    Encrypts all traffic between your device and the VPN server. Your router and ISP only see a connection to the VPN — not which sites you visit. Best for: hiding from your network and ISP. Doesn't hide from the VPN provider itself.

  4. 4

    DNS over HTTPS (DoH)

    Encrypts your DNS queries so your ISP can't see domain lookups. Available in Firefox, Chrome and Windows settings. Less protection than a full VPN but lighter weight.

  5. 5

    Tor browser

    Routes traffic through multiple relays to anonymise it. Very slow. Hides from nearly everyone but not foolproof. Overkill for most use cases.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can anyone see my private browsing?
Your router, ISP, school and employer can all still see which domains you visit in incognito mode. The only thing hidden is local browser history on your device.
What's the easiest option for everyday privacy?
A reputable paid VPN (Mullvad, ProtonVPN, or similar) running on your device. It covers all traffic, not just browser traffic, and requires no technical knowledge.