In general, cookies are stored by default on your computer's Internet browser. They allow you to keep the settings and information of the web pages you have visited. Sometimes they can be used to track users and deliver targeted advertising. Some people prefer to disable them for privacy reasons and you have the option of blocking cookies on most web browsers.
Steps
Method 1 of 7: On Chrome (for desktop)
Step 1. Click on Chrome ⋮ menu button
It's the 3 dots icon you will find in the upper right corner of the Chrome window.
Step 2. Select Settings
This option is at the bottom of the Chrome menu.
Step 3. Click Show advanced settings
On some versions of Chrome, you'll need to click Advanced Settings instead. This option is at the bottom of the window and allows you to pull down the settings menu.
Step 4. Go to Site Settings or Content Settings
This option can be found in the Privacy and Security section.
Step 5. Select Cookies and Site Data
Cookies and site data can be found at the top of the site settings menu.
Step 6. Disable the storage of cookie data
Click on the switch
next to the Allow sites to save and read cookie data (recommended) heading at the top of the Cookies and site data menu.
- On older versions of Chrome, select Prohibit all sites from storing data.
Step 7. Activate the option Block third-party cookies
Slide the switch
next to the Block third-party cookies heading in the Cookies and site data menu.
- Another option is to block cookies from individual websites. To do this, click on Add next to Block and then enter the address of the website whose cookies you want to block. Finish by clicking on Add.
Step 8. Delete cookies when you close Chrome
Click on the switch
next to Clear cookies and site data when exiting Chrome. This option allows you to delete existing cookies when you close Chrome. All cookies will be deleted the next time you close the browser.
If you don't want to delete cookies every time you close the Chrome browser, you'll need to turn this setting off the next time you use it
Step 9. Close Chrome
To close Chrome, click the X-shaped icon at the top right on Windows or the red x-shaped icon in the upper left corner on Mac.
Method 2 of 7: On Safari (iOS)
Step 1. Tap the Settings app
You can change the Safari browser cookie settings in the Settings application on your iOS device.
It is not possible to block cookies in Chrome for iPhone or iPad due to restrictions placed by Apple on third-party browsers. If you are using Chrome on iOS and want to block cookies, you will need to either browse in Incognito mode or use Safari
Step 2. Select Safari
This option is next to the icon that looks like a blue compass in the Settings menu.
Step 3. Press the switch
next to Block all cookies.
This option can be found in the Privacy and Security section with a switch to its right.
Step 4. Select Block All
This is the red text in the pop-up window. Safari will no longer save cookies for the sites you visit.
Method 3 of 7: On Chrome (for Android)
Step 1. Press the Chrome menu button ⋮
This is the 3 dots icon in the upper right corner of the Chrome mobile browser.
Due to restrictions placed on third-party browsers by Apple, it is not possible to block cookies in Chrome. If you're using Chrome on iOS and don't want cookies, you'll need to either switch to private mode or use Safari
Step 2. Select Settings
This option is at the bottom of the Chrome menu.
Step 3. Choose Site Settings
This is the third option under the Advanced settings heading in the settings menu.
Step 4. Tap the Cookies option
You'll find it next to an icon that looks like a cookie in the Site Settings menu.
Step 5. Press the switch
next to Cookies.
This switch is located on the right in the Cookies menu.
- Otherwise, you have the option to block cookies from individual sites by pressing Add an exception for a site at the bottom in the Cookies menu. Next, enter the website you want to block under Site URL and press Add in the lower right corner.
Step 6. Check the box
next to Block third-party cookies.
This is the last option in the Cookies menu. Check it to block third-party cookies from site.
Method 4 of 7: On Firefox
Step 1. Click on the Firefox ☰ menu button
This is the icon in the shape of 3 horizontal lines at the top right of the window.
Step 2. Select Options
Options is next to a cogwheel icon in the Firefox window.
Step 3. Go to Privacy and Security
This tab is located next to an icon that looks like a padlock in the menu bar on the left.
Step 4. Click button next to Custom
This is the last option under the heading Enhanced Tracking Protection.
Step 5. Expand the field next to Cookies
This is the first option in the list in the Custom field under the heading Enhanced Tracking Protection.
Step 6. Choose All cookies (prevents some sites from working)
This is the last option in the drop-down menu next to Cookies in the Custom field.
- You can also select All third-party cookies from the drop-down menu to allow certain cookies.
- Alternatively, you can block individual websites by clicking Manage permissions under Cookies and site data. Enter the address of the website you want to block in the Website address bar then click on To block.
Step 7. Check the Delete cookies box
The Delete cookies and site data when Firefox closes check box instructs Firefox to delete all existing cookies when it is closed.
Step 8. Close Firefox
To close Firefox, click the X at the top right on Windows or the red x icon at the top left on Mac.
Method 5 of 7: On Microsoft Edge
Step 1. Click or tap the… button
It's the button with 3 dots in the upper right corner of Microsoft Edge. Click or tap it to display the menu on the right of the window.
Step 2. Go to Settings
This option is at the bottom of the menu, next to a star wheel icon.
Step 3. Select Privacy & Services
The Privacy & Services option is next to a padlock icon and appears in the sidebar on the left of the Microsoft Edge menu.
Step 4. Pull down the menu under Cookies
This menu is located in the middle of the Privacy and services menu.
Step 5. Click Block all cookies
This is the last option in the Cookies drop-down menu.
- You can also select Block third-party cookies to block certain cookies.
Method 6 of 7: On Safari (on desktop)
Step 1. Click on the Safari menu
Safari is located at the top left of the menu bar at the top of the browser window. It appears when a Safari window is open and active.
Step 2. Select Preferences
This is the third option in the Safari menu.
Step 3. Go to the Privacy tab
The icon for this tab is blue with a hand on it.
Step 4. Check the box next to Block all cookies
This is the second option in the Privacy menu. Check it to prevent Safari from saving cookies from the sites you visit.
Method 7 of 7: On Internet Explorer
Step 1. Click on the Tools menu
You can also click the button
in the form of a toothed wheel. It is located at the top right of the browser window.
If you can't see either, press Alt
Step 2. Select Internet Options
This option is at the bottom of the Tools menu.
Step 3. Go to the Privacy tab
This is the third tab at the top of the Internet options window.
Step 4. Click the Advanced button
This button is on the right, under Settings.
Step 5. Refuse first-party cookies and third-party cookies
Choose Refuse for first-party cookies and third-party cookies. You will see 3 options under First Party Cookies and Third Party Cookies. Click on Refuse under the 2 to block all cookies.
Step 6. Select the Always allow session cookies check box
This box is located at the bottom of the cookies menu.
Step 7. Click OK to save your changes
This button is located at the bottom right of the menu. Internet Explorer will no longer save cookies.
Advice
- Completely disabling cookies will prevent you from staying connected to the sites you visit often.
- If you do not want cookies to be saved for your current browsing session, activate Incognito or Private mode on your browser. No cookies are saved when this mode is activated.