Incognito Mode: Facts You Should Know

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People these days are quite particular in terms of privacy when browsing online, especially if they are logging into personal accounts. That might be when you don’t want pre-filled forms and cookies. Of course, Incognito mode also servers another common purpose - hiding your naughty trails on a shared computer.

Usually, when people hear of Google Incognito mode for browsing, they have this sense of security with using the browser. Who wouldn’t? The browser does not allow history snooping, no saved credentials, no information collected, and no saved cookies. These unique features of Incognito mode might be thought of as an anonymity blanket, but that cannot be further from the truth.

To What Extent Does Incognito Protect You?

Local Browsing Privacy

Using Incognito mode for online streaming and browsing is one good practice, especially for a household having a shared computer. When using Incognito Mode, the browser starts anew every time you open it, and without a saved browsing history, it will be as if you were never there to the next person on the device.

Tracking Protection

Cookies are one of the culprits why someone’s online activity gets traced. These are small embedded files left on your computer for the sites you visited. Usually, it is the website’s cookies that takes note of your identity and the activity you had on their website. With Google Incognito, even the login credentials you used for accessing an account will be deleted the moment you close the browser. Also, without knowledge of your browsing habit, advertisers will not be able to target tailored ads at you, leaving you the haunting sense of being followed every moment.

Prevent browser fingerprinting

While cookies remain the most widely used ways of collecting user information, browser fingerprinting is becoming increasingly popular. The sites gather information about your browser instead of placing cookies. If enough information is gathered - such as what extensions you use, what fonts you have installed etc, websites can effectively identify you to a probability, and Incognito mode shields you from this.




So How Are You Still Traced in Incognito?

As much as we would like to convince ourselves that using Incognito is the safest, it’s not. Have you been caught surfing unrelated sites at work? In incognito mode, your traffic is tracked can still be seen by your system admin. Here are ways that you are not protected from prying eyes:

System Admin Access

In an office set up where everyone is connected to the company’s internet, and even with Incognito, your system admin will still be able to check on the sites you are browsing simply because they have the access to your computer any time.


DNS and ISP Tracking

Aside from the office set up, it is still not a guarantee that your information and activities are private using your computer at home. Even in Incognito mode, your DNS (Domain Name System), also known as internet address ‘phone book’ is your ISP’s way of tracking you and your online activity. What happens is that when you visit a website using the browser, your IP address requests are stored in your ISPs DNS server. They can also track you through the request records in their proxy server.

Get Yourself Fully-Protected When Going Online

These days, privacy is privilege rather than a right. Privacy-conscious users are in search of simple, reliable ways to be protected online, and Incognito Mode is not the answer.

Getting a premium VPN service to couple with Incognito is the best hassle-free way to get guaranteed security, anonymity and privacy. When choosing a VPN provider, make sure it uses strong encryption. A good benchmark would be ExpressVPN’s 256-bit Advanced Encryption standard, the same model adopted by the U.S. government to protect its confidential assets. If you’re not exactly a techie, go for one that has an simple user interface with pre-configured setting options. Customer support is also very important should you need help choosing servers for specific geo-unblocking needs. Lastly, go for one that is compatible with multiple devices such as Windows, Mac, Android, iOS and even routers, so you can be protected everywhere where you might be at risk.

Early Holiday Gift Hunting and Win a Brand-New Ride at The SM Store with Mastercard

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Time sure flies by, as we find ourselves at the beginning of the most festive and busiest months of the year. And while the season is meant to be enjoyed and shared with those closest to you, it’s also easy to end up focusing on all the shopping and errands you just need to get done instead.

Don’t let the holiday rush overtake you. An early start will help you cruise through your gift list – and with Mastercard and The SM Store – offer you a more rewarding shopping experience.

Cardholders have dedicated Mastercard lanes in all SM Store branches (all 62 of them!) for faster queuing and transactions. Enjoy leisurely going around the one-stop destination to tick off everything you need for Christmas without worrying too much about long checkout lines.

Mastercard is also giving you even more reason to start gift hunting early. With the Shop and Drive promo, cardholders have the chance to win an Audi A1 simply by shopping at The SM Store. A total of 10 lucky winners will be picked from purchases made from October 8 to December 23, 2018.

With every P3,000 minimum single-receipt purchase or P5,000 installment, cardholders get an automatic raffle entry to win a brand-new set of wheels. If customers present their SM Advantage Card or Prestige Card along with the purchase, they get double the raffle entries, increasing their chances of receiving a gift they won’t forget.

Per DTI-FTB Permit Number 16333 Series of 2018.

FDCP Launches Cinematheque in Compostela Valley

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It was in 2016 when then newly-appointed FDCP Chairperson and CEO Liza Diño of Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) attended the Nabunturan Independent Film Exhibition (NABIFILMEX) and met with the community's filmmakers which led to the planning and construction of the first Cinematheque in Compostela Valley.

Two years after this September, FDCP officially opened its doors as Cinematheque Centre Nabunturan just in time for the 2018 edition of NABIFILMEX. All screenings were jam-packed with students from the town up to its awarding night attended by Ms. Jeovy G. Mandin, Mr. Romeo B. Clarin Jr., Ms. Marietis T. Balatico and Vice Mayor Rodel G. Balili of the Municipality of Nabunturan.

The Cinematheque had its ground breaking last November 2017 and in less than a year, the 100-seater alternative cinema hub had its soft opening with the town’s excited audience with its first ever film screening graced by NCCA Commissioner for the Arts/Head Mr. Teddy Co, Mr. Paolo Paraiso, Ms. Max Eigenmann, Mr. Ed Cabagnot, Direk Arbi Barbarona, NABIFILMEX Festival Director Atty. Karen Santiago-Malaki, Asst. Festival Director Mindanao Film Festival Ivan Tadena with Distribution and FDCP Officials FDCP Executive Director Wilfredo Manalang, Distribution and Exhibition Lead Officer Popoy Guillermo and Cinematheque Centre Officer Jamir Mallari. 

“This is one of the dreams that finally materialized for the town of Compostela Valley. We are bringing the films to the people, for creative development, for awareness and even just to share stories and we are hoping to inspire more future Nabunturan filmmakers through the many programs of FDCP and the Cinematheque Nabunturan,” said FDCP Chairperson and CEO Liza Diño.

Cinematheque Centre Nabunturan is located at Layug Avenue, Purok 13 beside SPED, Central Elementary School. It will be in full operation this October 2018. For more details, check out the Cinematheque Centre Nabunturan's official facebook page.