Private Browsing is a useful feature of Firefox, but only if you understand the protection it offers. It helps you obscure your online activity from other people who use Firefox on your computer, but does not make you invisible online.
Myth 1: Private Browsing makes you anonymous on the Internet.
Reality: Private Browsing does not mask your identity or activity online. Websites and Internet service providers can still gather information about your visit, even if you are not signed in. If you use your device at work, your company may be able to monitor the websites you visit. If you surf the Web at home, your cable company (or their partners) may have access to your browsing information.
Myth 2: Private Browsing removes all traces of your browsing activity from your computer.
Reality: Private Browsing works by letting you browse without saving passwords, cookies, and browsing history in a Private Window. If you download a file from a website, it will remain on your computer, but it will not appear in the download manager in Firefox. If you bookmark a website while in a Private Window, it will remain in your bookmark list.
Myth 3: Private Browsing doesn’t display any browsing history.
Reality: Private Browsing will, by default, display visited sites and bookmarks as you type in the address bar. These pages were saved to Firefox during normal browsing. If you don’t want to see these suggestions, you can deselect them in your Firefox Settings panel under Address Bar.
Myth 4: Private Browsing will protect you from keystroke loggers and spyware.
Reality: Private Browsing does not protect you from malware installed on your computer. If you suspect you have malware, take steps to remove it to prevent it from happening again.
To learn more about how Firefox protects your privacy, see Enhanced Tracking Protection in Firefox for desktop and SmartBlock for Enhanced Tracking Protection.