Table of contents
- What are cookies?
- What are cookies used for?
- Privacy risks and personal data concerns
- How to enable cookies
- How to delete cookies
- How to block cookies
- How to delete cookies on mobile devices
- How to manage cookies selectively
One of the most common of these traces is the cookie, a fundamental tool that ensures a smooth web experience. However, cookies also raise important issues related to privacy and the protection of personal data.
This article offers a comprehensive guide to:
- What cookies are,
- How to delete cookies,
- How to block them,
- How to enable them,
explaining the differences between first-party cookies, third-party cookies, and session cookies.
It will also:
- Analyze their impact on the browsing experience
- Provide practical instructions on managing cookies through browser settings, such as in Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox.
What are cookies?
Cookies are small text files that websites store on the user’s device when visiting a page. Their main purpose is to track preferences, store login information, and facilitate a more personalized navigation experience.
There are several types of cookies:
- Session cookies
Automatically deleted when the browser is closed. Used to temporarily store information during a single visit. - Persistent cookies
Stored on the device for a predetermined period to save preferences between sessions. - First-party cookies
Created directly by the website you are visiting. - Third-party cookies
Inserted by other websites via elements like ads or social plugins.
These third-party cookies raise particular privacy concerns because they may collect and share personal information with external parties.
What are cookies used for?
Cookies serve multiple purposes. Firstly, they improve the browsing experience.
Example
By keeping a user session active without requiring repeated logins. They are also used to display targeted content and advertising based on the user’s behavior and interests.
A properly functioning website often relies on session cookies to manage shopping carts, language selections, or form inputs.
However, third-party cookies can be used to track users across different websites, collecting data from various sources, which may be perceived as a privacy invasion.
Privacy risks and personal data concerns
While cookies cannot infect a device with malware, they can be used to track online behavior in ways that are considered invasive.
Third-party cookies are particularly controversial in the ongoing debate around personal data protection. This is because they are managed by external websites, not the one being directly visited.
Example
After browsing an e-commerce site, you might see ads for the same products on a news website. That’s because an ad network collected cookies from your session and shared them with other websites.
For this reason, European regulations (like the GDPR) require websites to:
- Inform users about cookies
- Obtain explicit consent for certain types of cookies, especially non-essential ones
How to enable cookies
In some cases, full use of a website requires cookies to be enabled. This applies especially to banking portals or customized online services.
Here’s how to enable cookies in the most commonly used browsers:
Google Chrome
- Click the three-dot icon at the top right.
- Go to Settings > Privacy and Security > Cookies and other site data.
- Select “Allow all cookies” or customize based on preferences.
Mozilla Firefox
- Click the menu icon at the top right (three horizontal lines).
- Go to Settings > Privacy & Security.
- In the Enhanced Tracking Protection section, choose Standard, Strict, or Custom, and activate desired cookie settings.
How to delete cookies
Sometimes it’s useful to delete stored cookies, especially for cyber security reasons or to fix issues with website access.
Here’s how to do it in major browsers:
Google Chrome
- Click on More (three dots at the top right).
- Go to Settings > Privacy and Security > Clear browsing data.
- Check Cookies and other site data and click Clear data.
Mozilla Firefox
- Go to Settings > Privacy & Security.
- Scroll to the Cookies and Site Data section.
- Click Clear Data, select Cookies and Site Data, and confirm.
While deleting cookies may restore some functionalities, it can also result in loss of saved preferences.
How to block cookies
Blocking cookies can help protect your privacy, but may also hinder some website features.
Google Chrome
- Go to Settings > Privacy and Security > Cookies and other site data.
- Select “Block all cookies” or “Block third-party cookies”.
Mozilla Firefox
- Go to Settings > Privacy & Security.
- Set Enhanced Tracking Protection to Strict or customize it to block third-party cookies.
Note: Blocking cookies may prevent websites from functioning correctly. Some portals require session cookies to be accepted in order to allow access.
How to delete cookies on mobile devices
Cookies can also be managed from your smartphone. Both Android and iOS allow you to delete cookies from the default browser.
Chrome on Android
- Tap the three-dot icon at the top right.
- Go to History > Clear browsing data.
- Select Cookies and other site data, then confirm.
Safari on iOS
- Go to Settings > Safari.
- Tap Clear History and Website Data.
This process helps to remove navigation traces and can even improve your device’s performance.
How to manage cookies selectively
In many cases, users don’t want to block or accept all cookies, but prefer selective control. This is possible through browser extensions or built-in options.
Browsers like Mozilla Firefox and Google Chrome allow cookie management per site. You can, for example, allow first-party cookies and block third-party cookies, or only allow cookies for trusted websites.
There are also extensions like Cookie AutoDelete and Ghostery that automate the process of deleting and blocking cookies, giving users more control over their collected data.
Conclusion
Cookies are powerful yet delicate tools. Understanding what cookies are and knowing how to delete, block, enable, or manage them is a crucial step toward a more privacy-conscious use of the Internet.
Balancing a smooth browsing experience with personal data protection is possible only by understanding how data is collected and processed. Browser settings are a good starting point, but it is up to the user to maintain an informed and proactive attitude.
Questions and answers
- What are cookies?
Cookies are small text files that store data about a user’s navigation to improve the online experience. - How do I enable cookies in Chrome?
Go to Settings > Privacy and Security > Cookies and other site data, then select “Allow all cookies”. - How do I delete cookies in Firefox?
Go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Clear Data, then select Cookies and Site Data. - What’s the difference between first-party and third-party cookies?
First-party cookies are set by the site you visit. Third-party cookies are set by other entities. - Is blocking cookies dangerous?
Not dangerous, but it could interfere with services that need personalized settings to function properly. - How do I delete cookies on iPhone?
Go to Settings > Safari > Clear History and Website Data. - Do cookies collect personal data?
Some third-party cookies may collect personal data for advertising purposes. - How can I manage cookies for specific websites?
You can set rules for specific websites in your browser settings. - Can I browse without cookies?
Yes, but many websites won’t function properly without cookies. - Are cookies legal?
Yes, but their use must comply with GDPR and require user consent for non-essential cookies.
