Can My Employer See My Incognito Mode History?

When you’re at work, it can be tempting to browse the web. This is especially true if tasks are a bit tedious. But be aware, as many companies are now using screen monitoring software to observe what employees do on their computers. So, can your employer see your incognito mode history with such software?

While incognito browsing mode can hide internet activity from the computer you’re using, it does not hide it from surveillance software. This means that an employer can potentially see incognito browsing history remotely, and even take screenshots of the websites visited. This makes careful and responsible internet use even more important for workers.

Keep reading to learn more about how this surveillance software works, how to use the internet wisely at work, and tips on keeping work and personal internet use separate.

Can Surveillance Software See My Incognito Mode?

Your browser’s incognito mode setting helps keep the websites you visit hidden from the browser’s search history and the computer’s memory. This feature is often used by individuals searching for or viewing sensitive, controversial, or NSFW materials.

However, if your employer has installed software such as Wolfeye Remote Screen, incognito mode won’t hide your data. While a browser won’t record visited websites in this mode, the software running in the background definitely will. This is thanks to the software being a distinct program running on the computer itself, as opposed to a pre-existing CPU component.

This software then relays user activity to a main computer or computers, allowing your employer to remotely view and catalog everything you do. Incognito mode won’t blind the software involved any more than it would blind someone peeking over your shoulder at work.

This makes it especially important for workers to make sure that they use their time on a work computer wisely. What are some browsing behaviors to avoid at work?

Browsing Habits To Avoid While Working

While the first thing to avoid in many worker’s books is NSFW or pornographic material, there’s far more to it than that. Of course, you should never be looking at adult materials on your employer’s computer. That is immensely unprofessional and could cause other workers glancing casually at your screen to feel uncomfortable, or harassed.

But other behaviors also fall into the category of “don’t do that”. These computer habits include

  • Playing games
  • Checking social media
  • Reading news articles (unless as a part of work-related research)
  • Searching for another job
  • Watching videos for fun (think cat or dog videos on YouTube)
  • Checking personal email

All of these habits distract you from work and could land you in serious trouble with a boss. If you wouldn’t want your employer to peek over your shoulder and see you doing it, don’t do it on a work computer.

Productivity monitoring software, as it’s also called, can log and record everything on your screen, no matter what privacy settings, VPNs, or modes are in use. And this tech can even allow the boss to view your screen in real-time from his smartphone, even if he’s out of the office. Don’t assume your screen is private just because he’s on vacation.

All this can seem a bit unnerving, but you’ll be just fine so long as you use your work computer wisely. So how can you develop healthier browsing and productivity habits at work? Here are a few tips for you.

How To Develop Healthier Browser Habits at Work

Keeping yourself on task and professional at a work computer can be a challenge. One important thing to do is to come to work refreshed and ready to work. Not getting enough sleep can make the brain sluggish, causing one to drift more readily into distracting activities.

Another tactic to use is to place only work-related websites in your browser’s bookmarks tab. This means no search engines within easy reach. This makes it easier to click on the right websites, and a bit more tedious to type in entire URLs. If your browser is set up for professionalism, you’re more likely to stay on task.

Another healthy habit is to limit or reduce social media use when off the clock. The less you feel the need to check in, the less tempted you’ll be at work. Keep social media limited to close friends and family, and set aside a time each day to check it and then close the app.

Keep your personal-use phone zipped up in a purse or messenger bag while at your desk. If it’s not right in front of you, it’ll be tougher to reach for it on a whim. Browsing on your phone can be just as distracting, and could get you in trouble if observed.

Finally, give yourself time during the day to get up and stretch, have some coffee, or get a breath of fresh air if possible. Keeping the brain stimulated and refreshed is vital to staying on task. If possible, set a timer to walk around every hour or so to get the blood flowing. This can greatly boost productivity while reducing boredom. Take your scheduled breaks, and don’t overwork yourself.

Final Thoughts

Screen monitoring software like Wolfeye Remote Screen can allow an employer to view your complete browsing history or see your screen in real time, even with incognito mode on. All incognito does is blind your browser’s search history and computer’s saved data, but it can’t blind after-market surveillance software.

To stay safe, avoid NSFW websites, and keep all browsing directed towards work-related tasks. Avoid social media, news articles, or games while on a work computer. Set up your browser’s bookmarks for essential work-related sites instead of search engines or social media.

If you keep these rules in mind and use your time wisely, you’ll be fine. Be sure to come to work rested, and give yourself time throughout the day to recharge and walk around. This can help your mind stay refreshed and less distracted.

Sources

Articles.

How To Choose Employee Monitoring Software When you want to check in on employees, you need to choose software that …
Can My Employer See My Incognito Mode History? When you’re at work, it can be tempting to browse the web …
5 Ways To Track Employees As an employer, you want to make sure that you are getting the most productivity …
Do I Have to Tell Employees I’m Monitoring Them? When you’re monitoring employees for productivity via surveillance software, there are …
How To Track Employee Productivity Tracking employee productivity is important for every employer. This can help you assess how your …
How to Monitor Access to Your Computer Do you have a nagging feeling that someone might be accessing your computer …
How To Tell Who Logged Into a Computer Remotely In recent years, how people work has changed dramatically, and perhaps …
How to Easily Monitor Computer Activity Monitoring computer activity within your company or home is a smart choice for those …
Can Employers Monitor a Home Network? Are you wondering if your employer can monitor your home network? You may think …
Can My Employer Read My Email After I Quit? Are you an employee who wants to quit their job, and …
Does Monitoring Software Slow Computer Performance? When using a PC there are several things that can cause it to run …
5 Things That Monitoring Software Will Track Despite thorough vetting and meticulous screening before hiring, employees can lose their focus …
How to Digitally Track Employee Attendance With all the technology today, digitally tracking your employees‘ attendance has become even easier …
Does Employee Monitoring Increase Productivity? If your company requires a productivity boost, you may have heard of employee monitoring as …
8 Ways to Detect Employee Monitoring Software Did you install employee monitoring software on your worker’s computers and are wondering …
How to Monitor When Employees Take Breaks Are you an employer and want to find the best way to monitor …
How To Track What Employees Are Working On Working remotely has become more the trend in the workforce. But many …
How to Monitor Employee Computers Without Them Knowing Are you an employer looking for a way to monitor your employees …
How to Monitor Individual and Team Performances Are you an employer of a company and want to know the best …
How to Measure Remote Worker Productivity Are you an employer who has remote workers, and you want to know if …
How to See What Someone is Doing on Their Laptop Whether you’re a teacher, employer, manager, or parent, there may …
How to Use Screen Monitoring Software (Complete Guide) Are you an employer looking into using screen monitoring software, and you …
How to View Employee’s Team Messages Are you an employer focused on viewing your employee’s team messages? Checking your team’s …
Is Employee Monitoring Ethical or Not? With the recent influx of work-from-home careers, there has been more and more talk …
Why It’s Important to Monitor Employees After Training When a company hires new employees, they have to undergo training. But …
The Best Screen Monitoring Software for Businesses Monitoring your worker’s screen time and workflows is essential to managing a large …
What Can Your Employer See While On Your Home Wifi? You work from home so you want to know if …
This is How Employee Monitoring Affects Employees As the world changes and technology advances, keep up with the times to …
Is Employee Monitoring Software Dangerous? Monitoring employees is a common practice for employers that want to ensure the safety of …
10 Things Employers Can Track on a Laptop Technology has revolutionized how we do business. Your employees can work faster …
Should You Purchase Employee Monitoring Software? Employee monitoring software, like Wolfeye, has increased in popularity due to the rise in …
Why Do Companies Monitor Employees‘ Emails? Are you an employer who feels your personnel are slacking off on the job? …
7 Reasons For Monitoring Employees Employee monitoring has become more common since the coronavirus pandemic when everyone worked from home …
How to Find Out if Your Employee is Working Elsewhere There are many reasons why an employer might want to …
Can Employers Monitor Teams Calls? When you work for a company, you will have concerns about the privacy of your …
How To Know if Your Employees Work for Someone Else The rise of remote work brought several advantages to companies …
How To Know If Your Remote Employees Are Really Working You can track remote workers and their activities during work …
How To Monitor Employees Working From Home Monitoring employees who work from home is a great way to achieve quality …
How To Monitor Your Students Computer Screens Focus is a huge challenge for students attending online classes. They have access …
How To See What Your Child Downloads On Their Computer In this age of easy access to technology and easy …
WOLFEYE REMOTE SCREEN Software to Remotely Monitor your Employees‘ Computer Screen. Tutorial Free download* $97 (12-month license for 1 PC)** …
WOLFEYE REMOTE SCREEN Monitor everything that happens on the PC. Tutorial Free download* $97 (12 month license for 1 PC)** …