# Should I Accept All Cookies In My Browser? Are Internet Cookies Good Or Bad :

What are Cookies in a Browser?

Cookies are small text files that are stored inside the browser that preserve the user's own preferences.

Cookies are divided into two forms, first-party cookies and third-party cookies.

In both forms, cookies are created to help websites track information, and all this information that is collected varies in ways of using it depending on the party that will obtain this data.

First party Internet cookies

They are files that collect information to help websites work well, which will provide the best experience for the visitor when he returns to the same site, and the benefits of cookies obtained by the first party may be:

• Not asking for log-in data every time
• Save the site settings during the visit, such as activating the light or dark mode
• Displaying targeted ads according to the frequent visitor's searches

In general, the data collected by the first party is data that is not harmful to the user in any way, and you only get very simple information.

Third party Internet cookies

Or what is known as third-party links, and it is considered a somewhat suspicious process.

We cannot say that all cookies are dangerous, but it is a bit bad, let us explain to you.

Third-party cookies are also known as tracking cookies, because when you allow a website to use third-party cookies, they collect information for advertising tracking purposes.

These cookies will follow you from one site to another, and collect information about you.

They collect information about you, such as your interests, the sites you visit, or the videos you watch most, and then convert them into advertising recommendations that can sometimes be annoying.

Third-party cookies rely on retargeting campaigns to show you the same products repeatedly, and this can be repeated to the point of inconvenience, such as the appearance of advertisements for a specific shoe on every site you visit inviting you to buy it.

The second problem, which may be suspicious or harmful at times, is some sites that ask you to accept cookies, but these sites are not protected, such as sites that do not contain the letter 'S' in their 'HTTP' URL.

These sites are not encrypted or unprotected, which means that any hacker on the Internet can seize them, as they can obtain data that includes credit card details, physical addresses of your residence, or other personal details.

And you may not know this information, accepting a lot of external cookies will slow down your device, especially your browser, and you will get a bad browsing experience.

During the advent of the Internet, engineers were looking for a solution to how to save user preferences and interactions, and for that they needed to store this information in some way inside the user's computer with the possibility of retrieving it again.

This led to the emergence of 'cookies' as we know them today.

The term 'cookies' is derived from the real-life analogy of 'the world of bakeries'.

Imagine a scenario where you visit a bakery, and when you walk inside, the aroma of freshly baked biscuits envelops you, making your mouth water.

You choose a few baked goods, and the baker distributes them to you in a small bag.

Cookies are very similar to this scenario, where when you visit the sites, your interactions within the pages will be recorded, and when you return again to these pages, you will not need to re-create your preferences again because they are already recorded.

The Different types of internet cookies

Even though cookies are important tools in some respects, you will find that they also contain two types of cookies.

Session cookies

In the case of session cookies, notes are recorded in a temporary manner, as the information is stored while the site is opened, but once the site page is closed, these notes will be deleted, and you will not see any traces of the activities that you carried out while browsing the site.

Persistent cookies

Unlike session cookies, persistent cookies will permanently store your browsing notes on your browser, and they will remain on your device even after you close pages or the entire browser.

Why don't we refuse Third-party Cookies

For websites, cookies are very important, so you will find them showing the 'accept all cookies' button very prominently, and rejecting the acceptance request may block even browser cookies.

Blocking all cookies may lead to a very bad browsing experience, as sites are not allowed to store the user's preferred settings, so every time you leave the site, you will have to reset your experience.

Sometimes the sites provide you with a reference list of all the cookies you use, sometimes it may be a long and boring list, but this is with the aim of playing on the psychological feeling, forcing the visitor to press directly to accept all.

Are there any laws That help us while Dealing with Cookies

There is one law, but only if you live in the European Union, as the European Union's cookie law falls within the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations, or PECR.

Businesses cannot enable cookies unless users understand what it means to accept these cookies.

There is no US version of this law, although it appears that the UK is on the right track, but it is a bit vague, since even European lawmakers said they considered reducing the requirements in this law.

Google Chrome

1. Open Google Chrome on your computer.
2. Click on the three vertical dots in the upper-right corner to open the menu.
3. Select “Settings” from the dropdown menu.
4. Scroll down and click on “Privacy and Security” in the left sidebar.
5. Click on “Cookies and other site data”.
6. Here, you can see the option to 'See all cookies and site data'. Click on it.

Mozilla Firefox

1. Open Mozilla Firefox on your computer.
2. Click on the three horizontal lines in the upper-right corner to open the menu.
3. Select “Options”.
4. In the left sidebar, click on “Privacy and Security”.
5. Scroll down to the “Cookies and Site Data” section.
6. Click on “Manage Data” to see a list of stored cookies.

Microsoft Edge

1. Open Microsoft Edge on your computer.
2. Click on the three horizontal dots in the upper-right corner to open the menu.
3. Scroll down and select Settings.
4. Click on “Privacy, Search, and Services” in the left sidebar.
5. Under the Clear browsing data section, click Choose what to clear.
6. Check the box next to “Cookies and other site data” and click “Clear”.

Safari

1. Open Safari on your computer.
2. Click on “Safari” in the top menu to open the drop-down menu.
3. Select “Preferences”.
4. In the new window, go to the “Privacy” tab.
5. Click on “Manage Website Data”.
6. You will see a list of websites that have stored cookies on your browser.

Brave Browser

1. Open the Brave browser on your computer.
2. Click on the three horizontal lines in the upper-right corner to open the menu.
3. Select “Settings”.
4. In the left sidebar, click on “Privacy and Security”.
5. Scroll down to the “Cookies and other site data” section.
6. Click on “View all cookies and site data”.

Google Chrome

1. Open Google Chrome on your computer.
2. Click on the three vertical dots in the top-right corner to open the menu.
3. Select “Settings” from the dropdown menu.
4. Scroll down and click on “Privacy and security” in the left sidebar.
5. Click on “Clear browsing data”
6. Choose the time range for which you want to delete cookies. You can select “All time” for a complete clear-out.
7. Make sure “Cookies and other site data” is checked.
8. Click on the “Clear data” button.

Mozilla Firefox

1. Open Mozilla Firefox on your computer.
2. Click on the three horizontal lines in the top-right corner to open the menu.
3. Select “Options”
4. In the left sidebar, click on “Privacy & Security”
5. Under the “Cookies and Site Data” section, click on “Clear Data”
6. Ensure “Cookies and Site Data” is checked.
7. Click on “Clear”

Microsoft Edge

1. Open Microsoft Edge on your computer.
2. Click on the three horizontal dots in the top-right corner to open the menu.
3. Scroll down and select “Settings.”
4. Click on “Privacy, search, and services” in the left sidebar.
5. Under the “Clear browsing data” section, click on “Choose what to clear”
6. Check the box next to “Cookies and other site data”
7. Click on “Clear”.

Safari

1. Open Safari on your computer.
2. Click on “Safari” in the top menu to open the dropdown.
3. Select “Preferences”
4. In the new window, go to the “Privacy” tab.
5. Click on “Manage Website Data.”
6. Click on “Remove All” to delete all cookies, or select specific websites and click “Remove”

Brave Browser

1. Open Brave Browser on your computer.
2. Click on the three horizontal lines in the top-right corner to open the menu.
3. Select “Settings”
4. In the left sidebar, click on “Privacy & Security”
5. Scroll down to the “Cookies and other site data” section.
6. Click on “Clear browsing data”
7. Choose the time range and ensure “Cookies and other site data” is checked.
8. Click on “Clear data”

You can also use additional extensions that can be installed on browsers, as they will help you block ads and block cookies, such as adding AdBlock or Ghostery, which is a good additional solution to block cookies.

Remove Cookies via VPN

If your private data is your top priority, VPN services will help you, as when using private networks you will provide these sites with false data about your IP address, your geographical location, and even your activities on the Internet.

Certainly, the ads that will appear to you are not appropriate, but you will get the power of anonymous, and you will enjoy a very safe experience, free from any risks of spying and collecting your data.

Two recommended VPNs for blocking cookies are NordVPN and SurfShark.

NordVPN supports obfuscated servers that trick unwanted trackers into giving them false information. The ultra-fast NordLynx protocol ensures that you can connect to an impressive pool of more than 5,000 servers.

In addition to SurfShark, where it offers some of the cheapest VPN services compared to other VPNs, it uses one of the most powerful type of protocols, WireGuard, which is superfast.

Additionally, you can get SurfShark Chrome extension, which will help you block ads and block tracks.

Conclusion

The next time you encounter an “accept all cookies” message, pause for a moment.

Think of the complex consequences that lie beneath that seemingly innocent button.

While personalization from within your browser can enhance your online journey, maintaining your privacy and browsing speed is just as important.

Follow the previous tips, and you will get a comprehensive overview of cookies and Are Internet cookies Good Or Bad.