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FAQ Friday: "Does ‘Porn Mode’ get around Covenant Eyes?"

Last Updated: March 25, 2024

Firefox 3.1 calls it ‘Private Mode,’ the new Google Chrome calls it ‘Incognito Mode,’ and Internet Explorer 8 calls it ‘InPrivate Browsing.’ But for many users of these Web browsers, it’s just called “Porn Mode.”

These features allow a person to surf the Web without the browser recording a history, cookies or a cache of temporary files. While this sort of secret browsing is not a new concept (Safari added this feature over three years ago), and with so many new versions of these web browsers recently adding this feature, many people are excited, but others are concerned.

Does Covenant Eyes accountability software still monitor your Internet even if “porn mode” is on? Yes. These privacy modes on both Windows and Mac computers have no effect on Covenant Eyes software. This is one of the benefits of Covenant Eyes. It is easy to delete one’s Web history; but with our software, the user’s browsing information isn’t saved on the user’s computer, but rather it is saved on Covenant Eyes’ servers.

  1. Chris

    What is the current status of CE for Linux?

    • Chris McKenna

      Hi, we probably won’t have one. There aren’t any plans right now.
      Chris

  2. Elijah Roberts

    The covenant eyes software is able to be bypassed through Tor is there anyway to fix this. If not ill just delete the Tor browser but I’d like to know first thanks!!!

    • Chris McKenna

      Hello, Elijah – that’s a good question, and one that I’m going to have you ask our Customer Service Team at 1-877-499-1119 to get the answer.

      Peace, Chris

  3. cally

    Is this software compatible for an iphone 5c operating system? Is private mode also monitored?

    • Annelise Hoshal

      Hello Cally,

      Thank you for contacting us and for your questions! The minimum requirement in order for our iOS app to work on your device is, iOS 8.0 and higher. Your iPhone 5c should be running at least that version. How Covenant Eyes works is that Covenant Eyes replaces the Safari browser. We do suggest disabling Safari through the restrictions on the iPhone since we are unable to monitor/filter within the Safari browser. You can find out more information HERE. Due to the fact that Covenant Eyes is a now the browser on your iPhone we do not have a privacy mode available on our app, so that would no longer be an issue for the iPhone.

      If you have any further questions or need assistance setting up the Covenant Eyes app please contact our Customer Service at 877.479.1119 and we would be more than happy to assist you!

      Best regards,
      Annelise

  4. Susan

    Do you have suggestions of a VPN that is compatible with CE? We’re looking for a way to use free unsecured wifi safely while my kids are at school. Paying for data on their phones is getting expensive. Specifically, we’re wondering if Hotspot Shield VPN for Android is CE compatible.

  5. nicole

    Hi..just wondering if covenant eyes can also track incognito mode on mobile devices?

    • Lisa Eldred

      Hi Nicole,

      On iPhone, our app is a browser that you use in place of Safari (so as long as you use our browser, you’re covered). On Android, we’re very close to releasing version 3.0, which will cover incognito. You can learn more and join the discussion on our help forum.

  6. Simon

    I have Hide my Assembly encryption on my Android and Windows laptop. Does CE work on VPN please or does it just show as HTTPS?

    • Whether we’ll work with a VPN service varies. Typically, VPNs for hiding your activity won’t work with Covenant Eyes, but we will flag all anonymizer websites as Highly Mature. We have never tested this one specifically, but we have had members that tell us it works.

  7. Cking

    Any patch or update available to track incognito mode on android? CE still doesn’t track when my fiancé uses this mode…

    • Not yet. We will let you know when something is available.

  8. Debbie Dungy

    This application does not seem to track websites on a mobile device when user is in Incognito Mode. Please help.

    • I assume you’re using an Android device, correct? Unfortunately, there is no App Lock software (that we’ve discovered yet) that will enable you to lock out just that feature of a web browser. We are working on a patch for the problem right now.

  9. Trey

    Well…I have an idea for iPhone and Android, which would really make me happy. For iPhone, it would no doubt require a jailbreak due to Apple’s limitations, but with a jailbreak it would be possible to write a CE that would pick up ALL internet usage, not just that used in Safari. My idea is the same for Android, which may or may not require the device to be rooted, but even if it did most devices can be rooted. This would make Mobile CE much, much more effective for those with the tech knowledge to install them.

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