Many web browsers have a private browsing mode. On Chrome, for example, this is known as incognito mode. Other browsers, like Safari or Internet Explorer, have similar settings.
One important thing to note about using these settings is that they don’t actually make your online activity invisible. Everything you do on the Internet is still being tracked, and this data can be retrieved later. It’s wise to keep this in mind if you’re facing accusations of computer crimes or illegal online activity, as you may believe that incognito mode deletes all of your data. But that’s not actually how it works.
It is just a local issue
Generally, when you put a browser into private mode, it just changes how information is locally stored. The browser itself won’t keep a record of the sites you visited in your online history, for example. Once you close the window, that data is deleted, and anyone else who opens the browser won’t be able to see it.
However, this is only true on your specific device. That information could still be logged elsewhere. For instance, your Internet service provider generally has a record of the sites you visited. If you’re using a work computer, your employer may still be able to track everything you’ve done online.
If you’re being investigated for alleged crimes, these records of your online activity can still be used as evidence against you. Even if you were in incognito mode at the time, authorities could still issue a warrant to your ISP to obtain logs of the sites you visited or files that were transferred. If you’re facing serious criminal allegations, it’s very important to understand all of the defense options at your disposal.