Many people use a VPN and private browsing, but still see targeted ads and feel watched online. This guide explains, in simple language, why online anonymity is harder than it looks and what you can do about it.
This guide is simple and easy to follow — no technical background needed.
Play with VPN, Incognito mode and logins to see how exposed you still are online.
Your settings
Change these settings to see how your exposure score changes.
Try changing one setting at a time to see how your score and explanation change.
| Observer | IP | Location | Identity | Browsing history | Fingerprint | Metadata |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ISP / mobile provider | ||||||
| Website you visit | ||||||
| Ad networks / trackers | ||||||
| Employer / school network | ||||||
| Big platform account | ||||||
| Browser vendor |
If I use Incognito mode AND a VPN, websites shouldn’t be able to track me… right?
Incognito mode and VPNs are helpful, but they do not make you invisible. They solve specific parts of the tracking problem, and leave other parts untouched. Websites, advertisers, and big platforms can still connect many of your visits. To really improve VPN privacy and tracking prevention, you need to understand who sees what and how different tools fit together.
Here is a simple overview of what common privacy tools do in practice.
| Technology | What users think it does | What it actually does |
|---|---|---|
| VPN | Makes me completely anonymous. Hides everything from everyone. | Hides your IP from websites and your ISP. The VPN provider itself can see your traffic. Trackers still see cookies, browser fingerprinting, and behavior. |
| Incognito / Private mode | Stops all tracking and cookies. | Stops saving history and cookies on your device after you close the window. Websites still see your IP, browser fingerprint, and can track you during the session. |
| Ad blocker | Removes all ads and tracking. | Blocks many ads and known tracking scripts. Some trackers still work, and platforms can track you when you are logged in. |
| Tracker blocker | Gives me full tracking prevention. | Blocks many third‑party trackers and cookies. Does not remove account-based tracking or all browser fingerprinting. |
| Tor Browser (advanced) | Gives me perfect online anonymity. | Routes your traffic through several relays and changes your IP. Reduces fingerprinting by making users look similar. Still has limits, and is slower and more fragile for everyday use. |
Even with a VPN and private mode, different people along the path can still see parts of the picture.
(Google, Meta, Amazon, and similar accounts)
Tracking is not just one thing. It is a mix of simple pieces that work together.
This is the network address given to you by your ISP or VPN. Websites see it when you connect. A VPN changes your IP, which helps with VPN privacy, but does not stop other tracking methods.
Small files stored in your browser by websites. They keep you logged in, remember preferences, and can track you between pages. Incognito mode deletes cookies when you close the window, but they still work during the session.
A way to identify your browser using many small details: screen size, fonts, time zone, language, installed features, and more. Even if you block cookies, the combination of these details can be very unique. This is called browser fingerprinting and it is a big reason why private mode tracking still works.
When you sign in to a website, the site knows who you are. Your actions can be tied to your account, not just your device. Even if your IP or fingerprint changes, logging in links activity back to you.
How fast you scroll, what you click, what you search for, what you buy, and what time you are online. This “behavioral fingerprint” can be very stable over time. It helps platforms connect different sessions and devices that belong to the same person.
You do not need a perfect setup. Start small, improve step by step, and choose what fits your life.
Use a browser with stronger tracking protection by default (for example, Brave, Firefox with strict mode, or Safari with tracking protection). Turn on private mode when you do not want your history on the device, and keep your browser up to date.
Install one trusted ad and tracker blocker instead of many overlapping tools. Avoid random extensions you do not know; they can also spy on you. Every few months, remove extensions you no longer use.
For things like activism, research on sensitive topics, or travel, use a separate browser profile or a second browser with stricter settings. Consider Tor Browser for high‑risk situations, knowing it is slower and some sites may break.
Use different accounts for different areas of your life (work, personal, side projects). Try not to stay logged in to big platforms in the same browser where you do private reading and searching. Use email aliases or burner addresses for low‑trust services.
Use a password manager and strong, unique passwords everywhere. Turn on two‑factor authentication for important accounts. This does not stop tracking directly, but it protects you when data leaks happen.
See VPNs, private mode, blocker extensions, and better browsers as layers that work together. Each one reduces part of the picture. Together, they make tracking harder, noisier, and less useful.
Even with Incognito mode and a VPN, websites still see many details about your browser and behavior. The good news is that you can measure this yourself, and then decide which changes matter most for you. Privacy is not about being perfect; it is about being more aware and more in control.