Why You Might Use "Incognito" or "Private" Mode in Your Browser

People often think that "incognito" mode (Chrome) or "private" mode (Firefox) is only used when someone has something to hide. There are other uses for it.

I use incognito mode quite often when I'm demonstrating how to use a web app or website that requires my username and password. I also use it when I want to show people what a shared or published Google Document looks like when you're not signed into a Google Account. In both cases opening a new browser in incognito mode saves me the hassle of signing out of an account when I know that I'm going to be back into it in a few minutes. Incognito mode thinks that I'm a new user and doesn't have my saved usernames and passwords so I'm able to show sites and documents as they appear when I'm not signed into them.