Digital Cookies: The Good, The Bad and The How To’s

Let’s talk about cookies. No, not the gooey, chocolate-chip kind (though we wish). We’re talking about the digital cookies that hang out on your computer—and yes, even on your phone!

So, What’s The Deal With These Cookies?

In the world of the internet, a cookie is like a virtual hand stamp from a club. When you visit a website, that site hands over a little piece of text—a cookie—and stores it on your device. The next time you visit, that website asks for the cookie back, kind of like flashing that stamp to re-enter the club. It helps websites remember you, making your browsing experience smoother and more personalized.

What Do Cookies Actually Do?

Think about when you shop online. Ever noticed how some sites remember your login details, your shopping cart, or even the fact that you prefer dark mode? That’s all thanks to cookies. They store little bits of information like your preferences (language, layout settings, etc.), so you don’t have to reset everything each time you visit. Without cookies, every time you visited a site, you’d have to start fresh, re-entering your details or setting your preferences from scratch. It’s like having to rebuild your house every time you unlock the door!

The Not-So-Sweet Side Of Cookies

Here’s where things get a bit sticky. Cookies are stored on your specific device (your laptop, phone, or tablet), and they can collect a lot of information—things you click on, items you buy, and even which sites you visit. While most of this data is used to make your online life easier, some websites might use it to track you across multiple sites and serve you targeted ads. Ever buy something online and then see ads for that same thing everywhere? Yep, you can thank cookies for that one. It’s like signing up for a store coupon and suddenly getting an avalanche of junk mail.

So, How Do You Protect Yourself From Cookie Overload?

Here are a few simple steps to keep your data sweet and secure:

Read the privacy policies:

We know, it’s about as exciting as watching paint dry, but checking out a website’s privacy policy lets you know exactly what they’re doing with your info.

Stick to reputable sites:

Visiting trustworthy websites reduces the risk of your data being misused.

Sharing is caring—but not always:

If you’re sharing a device, make sure to use incognito or private mode, or simply clear your cookies afterward to keep your data private.

Check your cookies:

You can easily review or clear cookies right from your browser settings. This varies depending on your browser and device, but yes—your phone collects cookies too!

How to Check or Clear Cookies in Chrome and Edge

For Chrome:

1. Click the three vertical dots (menu) in the upper-right corner.
2. Select “Settings”, then go to “Privacy and security”.
3. Click “Cookies and other site data”.
4. From here, you can view and manage your cookies by selecting “See all site data and permissions”.
5. To clear cookies, click “Clear browsing data”, choose “Cookies and other site data”, and select the time range you want (e.g., last hour, 24 hours, all time). Hit “Clear data”, and you’re done!

 For Edge:

1. Click the three horizontal dots (menu) in the upper-right corner.
2. Select “Settings”, then choose “Cookies and site permissions”.
3. Click “Manage and delete cookies and site data” to view or block specific cookies.
4. To clear them, select “Clear browsing data”, choose “Cookies and other site data”, set your time range, and hit “Clear now”.

How to Check or Clear Cookies on Your Phone

For iPhone (Safari):

1. Open “Settings” and scroll down to “Safari”.
2. Tap “Advanced”, then “Website Data” to see the list of stored cookies.
3. To remove cookies, go back to “Safari Settings” and select “Clear History and Website Data”. This will delete cookies, along with your browsing history.

For Android (Chrome):

1. Open the Chrome app and tap the three dots (menu) in the top-right corner.
2. Select “Settings”, then tap “Privacy and security”.
3. Choose “Clear browsing data”, then make sure “Cookies and site data” is checked.
4. Select the time range and hit “Clear data” to remove cookies from your Android device.

 

Rather not go at it alone? No worries, we’ve got your back! Reach out to Meeting Tree Computer at (845) 237-2117, and we’ll help you tidy up those digital crumbs.