What does Chrome's “Incognito Mode” do exactly?

Question

I was under the impression that Chrome in Incognito Mode wouldn\'t accept or send cookies, since they could be used to identify you. When starting up Incognito Mode, I do ha

Answer 1

It essentially sets the cache path to a temporary folder. Cookies are still used, but everything starts "fresh" when the incognito window is launched. This applies all storage, including Cookies, Local Storage, Web SQL, IndexedDB, cache, etc.

Of course Chrome also leaves pages out of the browser's history.

Answer 2

If you don’t want Google Chrome to save a record of what you visit and download, you can browse the web in incognito mode.

A detailed link of what Chrome itself says

https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/95464?hl=en

Answer 3

Just an important privacy note on @Jared Dykstra answer and @Mark comment.

but everything starts "fresh" when the incognito window is launched. This applies all storage, including Cookies

Not 100% true

Today I opened a new fresh chrome incognito window and requested youtube.com . but I surprisingly found that youtube is recommending some videos to me!!! How? based on what ? I'm supposed to be a very new client with fresh browser - I noticed the recommended videos was based on the videos I usually watch while signed in to my google account from chrome or firefox -

After investing the cookies I was shocked that chrome is sending these cookies to youtube.com along with the very first request send to youtube.com from a new freshly opened incognito window.

GPS
PREF
VISITOR_INFO1_LIVE
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I guess youtube.com servers used these cookies to know who I'm and recommend videos for me based on them.

I checked Firefox and it does not do that, it starts the private windows with 100% empty cookies header!

Answer 4

As a developer, it is also interesting to note that Incognito DOES NOT create a separate data partition for each window or tab.

All windows and tabs share access to the same cookies, so you can't create separate tabs to simultaneously log in as different users to one system that uses cookies to transmit authentication info.

Based on this, you still need to use a different browser to test this scenario.

Answer 5

Chrome's incognito mode sets the cache to a temporary folder. When you close the browser window the folder is deleted. So all your history, logins, and downloads are forgotten.

Incognito does not stop sites from keeping information about your visit nor does it hide the browsing from people using a tool like Wireshark to see what you are viewing.