Unlike normal chocolate, vanilla, or any tasty cookies that you munch on, browser cookies may be tasteless, but trust us, if you are not careful with them, they can leave a very bad taste. Though under normal circumstances, a cookie is a harmless file which, can be useful, through this blog, we’ll have a look at both sides of the coin.
When you visit a website you come across a banner that pops up, something like the one mentioned in the screenshot.
And, in most cases, we nonchalantly click on the I accept cookies. After reading this blog, this is going to change. Not saying that browser cookies are all bad, so read on!
Why Clear Cookies On Browsers?
The use of cookies has always been a source of debate and every browser these days has ways using which you can clear browsing cache and cookies. Google has promised that it’ll soon phase cookies out and replace them with a safer way, FLoC system as it is called, to help advertisers with data. (Source: bgr.in)
| Fact:
In 2015, the user data of 32 million Yahoo users were compromised. And how? Hackers were able to break into systems and then they stole code related to Yahoo cookies. And, the hackers didn’t even need the passwords! (source: zdnet) |
Also Read: How To Keep Personal Data Safe From Security Breach
– Cookies Can Track You
One of the reasons why you would want to clear cookies in Chrome or any other browser is because cookies can track you. When you visit a website, apart from getting a cookie from the server of that site, you also get a cookie from any advertiser on that site which is also known as a third-party cookie. These advertiser cookies follow you on other websites you visit. And, if you wonder how the internet guesses what favorite shoe you are looking for or what’s that new ride you have been eying at, these cookies track your moves.
– Hacker Can Devour On Your Browser Cookies
Hackers can delve into your data in several ways and means. One way is installing your cookies with hashed passwords and then they can access your account. Once, they have done that, they won’t even need your login details. Worse! Your cookies can be used to access your emails, social media accounts, and many other services.
– Some Cookies Refuses To Leave You Even If You Delete It
Session and stored cookies are the ‘good cookies’. While the former delete as soon as your website session is over, the latter track your online preferences and collect data such as username, password, and other items about your experience. More specifically, these help autofill your personal preferences on your next visit. Then there are some ‘not so good cookies’ such as Zombie cookies and Supercookies. These are stored permanently on your computer or whichever device you are using. These are hard to detect and even if you delete them, they recreate themselves.
– Cookies Slow Your Computer Down
Even though cookies do help load a page faster but when cookies get saved on your hard drive, over some time they make your computer slow.
Dangerous Cookies – That Didn’t Leave A Good Taste
How To Clear Cookies On Browser
Before you learn to clear cookies and browsing data, it is important to start adapting cautious behavior in the way you surf websites or access emails. The first and foremost piece of advice is that never visit a website that you don’t trust. Also, never click on a website that comes embedded in the suspicious link. You should make it a point to clear browser cookies every 7 to 14 days.
Let’s have a look at how easily you can get rid of cookies and cache from browsers. We are going to take an example of three of the best browsers and after that, we will even have a look at an even easier way to get rid of cookies –
Delete Cookies In Chrome
1. From the right-hand side, click on the three vertical dots and click on Settings
2. Scroll down and under Privacy and security click on Clear browsing data
3. Click on Clear data
4. Want to gain more control on cookies, click on Cookies and other site data, scroll down and click on See al cookie and site data and click on Remove all
Also Read: What To Do If You Are Unable To Delete Browsing Data On Chrome
Clear Cookies In Safari
1. Go to Settings
2. Click on Privacy & Security and select Clear private data
3. Then Click on Cookies & active logins
4. Click on Clear data
Instead of delving so deep into your browser and cleaning cookies, how about being able to remove cookies with the help of a specialized tool. One such tool is Wise Care 365 from WiseCleaner. As shown in the screenshot below, you can get rid of cookies in one single click.
Another great feature of this tool is that you can exclude domains whose cookies you don’t want to delete as well.
Download Wise Care 365
Are Cookies All Bad?
No! They aren’t. Have a look at the “Cookie banner” at the starting of the blog. It comes from a reputed website which itself is a staunch proponent of user privacy. So, if you even accept cookies from such websites, there’s no harm. Most secure and trusted websites implant cookies as a way to improve user experience. They do this so that the next time you visit their website, you don’t have to re-enter your searches, refill your shopping cart, refill login details and do all that jazz. So, in a way, they make your life easy.
Having said that you need to pay caution when, for example, using public Wi-Fi where others too have an access to the same system as yours. And, as mentioned before, never visit a website that you don’t trust. Even if you do mistakenly land on one such website, consciously don’t click on accept cookies.
Wrapping Up:
The next time, you pick up and munch on that chocolate chip cookie, ponder if you have to delete the cookies on your browser as well. If you found value in this blog, do give it a thumbs up and share it with people you care for. For more such content, keep reading Tweak Library. You can also find us on YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Flipboard, Pinterest, and Tumblr.
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