If you’ve ever used Incognito mode in Chrome, you probably know the basics: It lets you browse without saving your history, cookies, or other temporary data.

But was it ever truly private?

Not entirely…

Until recently, if you copied something from an Incognito tab, like text, an image, or a web address, Windows could still save it in your clipboard history and even sync it to other devices.

Not exactly what you might want from a “private” browsing session, right? 

Microsoft has quietly stepped in to fix that loophole, making Incognito mode even more private.

When you open an Incognito tab in Chrome (or InPrivate mode in Edge), your browser stops saving: 

• Your browsing history (so nobody else using your device can see what websites you’ve visited) 
• Cookies and site data (so websites won’t remember you after you close the tab) 
• Form data (so your browser won’t autofill your details next time) 

This can be handy for things like: 

• Checking flight costs or hotel bookings without tracking cookies causing price hikes 
• Logging in to multiple accounts without having to sign out 
• Using a shared computer without leaving a trail 

Let’s say you’re copying confidential business information or a personal message while in Incognito mode. Before this update, Windows would have saved that copied text in your clipboard history, meaning anyone who pressed Windows Key + V later could see it. 

Even worse? If you had Cloud Clipboard enabled (which syncs clipboard data between Windows devices), your copied content could end up on another device entirely.

Microsoft spotted this issue and patched it, making sure that when you copy something in Incognito mode, Windows won’t save it to your clipboard history or sync it to the cloud.

So, now your activity truly disappears when you close the tab (Google has since picked up this change and rolled it into Chrome updates for everyone.) 

Meanwhile, Microsoft has made another small but useful privacy improvement: Media previews are now hidden when using Incognito mode. 

Normally, when you play a YouTube video (or any media) in Chrome, Windows shows a preview of what’s playing whenever you adjust the volume or check the media panel. If you’re on the lock screen, it even shows details like the video title and artwork. 

Watching something in Incognito? Thanks to the update, now it just says, “A site is playing media”. No titles, no thumbnails, no details. 

This means that if you’re watching a sensitive video (business-related or otherwise), there’s no accidental exposure if someone else glances at your screen. 

If you use Incognito mode for private browsing, you’re now getting better protection than before, even if you didn’t realise there was a problem in the first place.

But remember: Incognito mode still doesn’t hide your activity from your internet provider, work network, or the websites you visit. It’s great for local privacy on your device, but it won’t make you completely anonymous online. 

If you need help making sure your sensitive business data stays private, get in touch.

Microsoft is really leaning into AI lately. And its latest idea is to make Copilot open automatically when you launch Microsoft Edge. Right now, if you want to use Copilot in Edge, you must click the little icon in the sidebar. No big deal.

But the auto-open feature would mean Copilot is there, ready and waiting in the sidebar, as soon as you open your browser or start a new tab.

Some people would love this, and some people won’t. But either way, it’s looking more and more like Microsoft wants Copilot to be an everyday part of using Edge. 

Another feature being tested is an “Ask Copilot” button in the Settings menu. This would mean if you ever got stuck trying to change a browser setting, for example, you could just ask Copilot for help instead of digging through all the options. If it works well, it could become a great time-saving feature for businesses.

If your team uses Edge, here’s how you could benefit: 

• Faster troubleshooting: Something in Edge not working? Instead of searching Google (or calling IT), you could just ask Copilot for help. 

• AI on standby: Whether you need help summarising a long article, brainstorming an email, or even writing a quick message, Copilot would always be open and ready. 

• Better security: Microsoft is also testing “Scareware Blocker”, an AI-powered feature that helps detect and block scam websites in real time. 

It’s hard to say when these updates could roll out, if they roll out at all. Microsoft loves to test features in Edge Canary (its experimental version of Edge), but not everything makes the final cut. 

That said, Microsoft has been pushing AI hard, so there’s a good chance this will stick. 

Auto-open for Copilot could be helpful if you like AI and want a built-in assistant that’s always ready to go. But if you prefer your browser to be just a browser, then this update might be annoying.

And of course, there’s the question of privacy. Microsoft hasn’t said how this will work yet, but if Copilot is always open, some people might feel a little uncomfortable with that. 

If this rolls out, Copilot could become a permanent fixture in Edge, helping you work smarter, troubleshoot issues, and stay safe from scams. If Microsoft considers privacy concerns and gives you the option to turn it off (which is possible), it could be a great new addition.

Need a hand getting started with Copilot? We can help – get in touch.

Do you feel like you’re constantly hearing about cyber attacks lately?

You’re not imagining things.

Cyber attacks are on the rise. And they’ve overtaken other risks as the number one concern for many businesses worldwide. From ransomware and data breaches to IT disruptions that bring operations to a standstill, cyber threats are keeping business owners up at night – and for good reason.

Imagine losing access to your customer database, having sensitive information leaked, or being locked out of your systems until you pay a large ransom. These aren’t just hypothetical scenarios… this is the nightmare faced by businesses of all sizes every day.

If your business becomes a victim of a cyber attack, the impact could be devastating. It can lead to everything from financial loss to a damaged reputation, not to mention the cost of downtime while your business recovers.

Advancements in technology – especially artificial intelligence (AI) – have given cyber criminals access to more sophisticated tools, making it easier for them to launch attacks.

Cyber incidents are one of the main reasons for business interruption, which is where operations grind to a halt due to unexpected events (like glitches and cyber attacks). As our dependence on digital tools grows, so does the need to protect them.

We bring good news. While cyber threats are evolving, so are the tools designed to combat them. AI-powered technologies can provide better insights, help detect threats earlier and allow for faster responses.

But even with advanced tools, the human element remains crucial. Your employees need to understand the risks and be trained to recognise potential threats, whether it’s a suspicious email or unusual activity in your systems.

So, how concerned should you be about cyber attacks?

Very.

We see that as a good thing. The more aware you are about how serious these threats are, the better you can protect your business. The key is to be proactive. Stay informed, invest in strong security measures, and make your team one of your greatest defences.

If that sounds overwhelming, don’t worry; we can help prepare your employees and make your systems safer. Get in touch.