How to Disable Cookies

Looking for a way to get rid of cookies? Before you do, think about this. Blocking all cookies may adversely affect your internet browsing experience. That is because many cookies are good cookies, used to save your settings and preferences for the sites you visit. That is why using software to get rid of bad cookies while keeping the good ones is our recommended option. Antivirus programs from manufacturers such as Norton, McAfee, Trend Micro, Kaspersky and others will help you to manage cookies while still enjoying surfing the web. If you are still determined to get rid of cookies, however, it is as simple as fixing your browser settings. Here is how to do it from some of the most used browsers.

To block cookies or change cookie settings in Firefox, select ‘Options’ then choose ‘Privacy’. Since Firefox accepts cookies by default, select ‘Use Custom Settings for History’. This will bring up additional options where you can uncheck ‘Accept Cookies From Sites’ or set exceptions; ‘Accept Third Party Cookies’ and decide how long cookies will be stored (until they expire, until you close the browser, or ask you every time). You can also see the list of stored cookies and manually delete those you do not want. You also have the option of deleting all cookies, either from the history window or the privacy window. Permissions for blocking or allowing cookies for single sites can also be set via the Permissions tab.

To block cookies or change cookie settings in Google Chrome, click on the wrench (spanner) on the browser toolbar. Choose ‘Settings’, then ‘Under the Hood’. Find the ‘Privacy’ section and click on ‘Content Settings’. Then click on ‘Cookies’ and you will get four options allowing you to delete cookies, allow or block all cookies by default, or set cookie preferences for particular sites or domains.

To block cookies or change cookie settings in Internet Explorer, select Tools (or the gear icon), ‘Internet Options’, ‘Privacy’. You can choose from a number of security settings including ‘Accept All Cookies’, ‘Block All Cookies’, or intermediate settings that affect cookie storage based on privacy and whether the cookies set allow third parties to contact you without your explicit consent.

To block cookies or change cookie settings in Safari 5.0 and earlier, go to ‘Preferences’, ‘Security’ and then ‘Accept Cookies’. You can choose from ‘Always’, ‘Only From Sites You Navigate To’, or ‘Never’. In Safari 5.1 and later go to ‘Preferences’, ‘Privacy’. In the ‘Block Cookies’ section choose ‘Always’, ‘Never’ or ‘From Third Parties and Advertisers’.