What cookies are and why you should clear them
Cookies are small files that websites store on your computer to remember information about you. When you visit a website, it can save data like your login details, what you put in your shopping cart, or which pages you visited. Websites use this to recognize you when you return and to show you ads based on your browsing habits.
Clearing your cookies removes this stored data from your device. This stops websites from using old information about you and prevents some tracking. If you are removing yourself from data broker websites, clearing cookies is one step in that process — it stops those sites from re-collecting the same information the next time you browse.
You should clear cookies regularly, especially after visiting sites you do not trust or after you have finished removing your information from data brokers. Most browsers let you clear cookies in just a few clicks, and you can choose to clear all of them or only the ones from specific websites.
Key Takeaways
- Cookies are files websites store on your device to track your activity and remember information about you.
- Clearing cookies removes this stored data and stops websites from using old information about your browsing.
- The process takes two to three minutes and works the same way in Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge.
- You can clear all cookies at once or delete cookies from only the websites you specify.
- Clearing cookies will log you out of most websites, so you may need to sign back in afterward.
How to clear cookies in Chrome
Open Chrome and click the three vertical dots in the top right corner. Select Settings from the menu that appears. On the left side, click Privacy and security, then click Clear browsing data.
A window will open with several options. At the top, make sure the time range is set to All time so you clear all your cookies, not just recent ones. Check the box next to Cookies and other site data. You can also check Cached images and files if you want to free up storage space. Leave other boxes unchecked unless you want to delete your browsing history or autofill information. Click Clear data and wait a few seconds for the process to finish.
How to clear cookies in Firefox
Open Firefox and click the three horizontal lines in the top right corner. Select Settings from the menu. On the left side, click Privacy & Security. Under the Cookies and Site Data section, click the button that says Clear Data.
A small window will appear. Make sure both Cookies and Site Data and Cached Web Content are checked. Click Clear and the process will complete in a few seconds. Firefox will log you out of most websites automatically.
How to clear cookies in Safari
Open Safari and click Safari in the menu bar at the very top of your screen. Select Settings from the dropdown menu. Click the Privacy tab at the top of the window.
Click the button that says Manage Website Data. A list of websites will appear. Click Remove All at the bottom right to delete all cookies at once, or select individual websites and click Remove if you only want to clear cookies from specific sites. Click Done when finished.
How to clear cookies in Microsoft Edge
Open Edge and click the three dots in the top right corner. Select Settings from the menu. On the left side, click Privacy, search, and services. Under Clear browsing data, click Choose what to clear.
A window will open. At the top, set the time range to All time. Check the box next to Cookies and other site data. You can also check Cached images and files to save storage space. Click Clear now and wait for the process to finish.
What happens after you clear your cookies
Once you clear your cookies, you will be logged out of most websites. The next time you visit a site that required a login — like your email, social media, or online banking — you will need to enter your username and password again. This is normal and expected.
Websites will also stop showing you personalized ads based on your previous visits, at least until they collect new data about your browsing. If you cleared cookies from data broker sites specifically, those sites will have a harder time tracking you or connecting your visits to your previous profile. However, clearing cookies is not a complete privacy solution — it only removes data stored on your device, not data that has already been sold or shared.
How to prevent cookies from being stored in the future
If you want to stop websites from storing cookies altogether, you can use your browser's private or incognito mode. In Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge, you can open a private window by pressing Ctrl+Shift+N (Windows) or Command+Shift+N (Mac). Websites you visit in private mode will not store cookies on your device, though your internet service provider and the websites themselves can still see your activity.
You can also adjust your cookie settings in your browser to block third-party cookies, which are used for tracking and advertising. In Chrome, go to Settings, click Privacy and security, then Cookies and other site data, and select Block third-party cookies. In Firefox, go to Settings, click Privacy & Security, and under Enhanced Tracking Protection, select Strict. These settings reduce tracking without blocking all cookies, so you can still log into websites normally.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will clearing cookies delete my passwords?
Clearing cookies will not delete your saved passwords. Passwords are stored separately from cookies in your browser's password manager. If you want to delete saved passwords, you need to do that in a different section of your browser settings. Most people should leave passwords alone when clearing cookies.
Do I need to clear cookies on my phone too?
Yes, if you use your phone to browse the web, you should clear cookies there as well. On iPhone, open Settings, scroll down to Safari, tap Clear History and Website Data, and select how far back you want to clear. On Android, open Chrome, tap the three dots, go to Settings, tap Privacy, and select Clear browsing data.
How often should I clear my cookies?
There is no set rule, but clearing cookies once a month is reasonable for most people. If you visit data broker sites or untrusted websites, clear cookies more often. If you do not want to clear them manually, you can set your browser to clear cookies automatically every time you close it — this option is in the Privacy settings of most browsers.
Will clearing cookies slow down my computer?
No. Clearing cookies actually frees up a small amount of storage space and may make your browser slightly faster. The process itself takes only a few seconds and will not harm your device.
Can websites tell that I cleared my cookies?
Websites cannot directly see that you cleared your cookies, but they can tell that you are a new visitor the next time you arrive. They will start collecting data about you again from that point forward. This is why clearing cookies is most useful as part of a larger effort to remove your information from data brokers.