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- How to clear cookies + cache in every browser
- Clare Stouffer
- June 13, 2023 4 min read
Discover how to clear cookies from Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and other browsers to browse online more securely.
Browser cache and cookies are convenient for quickly logging into your favorite websites, but a buildup can put your personal data at risk. Learn how to clear cookies and cache on the most popular browsers. Then, install performance software to help you clean up browser data, junk files, and other clutter that could be slowing you down.
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Computer cookies can make our lives easier. They can save our shopping carts, speed up checkout times, and store login credentialsand other personal information so we don’t have to.
But just like how too many of the fresh-baked ones can give you a bellyache, too many computer cookies stored on your browser can cause a headache. That’s because cybercriminals are constantly on the prowl for personally identifiable information stored in cookies, which they can exploit and/or sell on the dark web.
Knowing how to clear cookies and cache from your browser is an important step in protecting your personal data online. And that’s where this step-by-step guide comes in — to help you learn how to remove cookies and keep different types of hackers off your trail.
We’ve included all the main browsers below, so jump to the one you use most or look through them all to get an in-depth understanding.
- How to clear cookies in Chrome
- How to clear cookies in Firefox
- How to clear cookies in Safari
- How to clear cookies in Microsoft Edge
How to clear cookies in Chrome…
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As one of the most popular internet browsers, Google Chrome is available on many devices — and there is a way to remove cookies from each of them.
… on your Windows or Mac computer
- Open Chrome.
- In the top right-hand corner of the browser, you will see three dots, which indicate a settings menu. Click on the dots.
- Scroll down to the bottom of the page and click on “Advanced.”
- Click on “Clear browsing data.”
- Under the “All cookies and site data” section, you can customize which cookies to delete based on a specific time range and other options.
- Finally, you can complete the deletion by clicking “Clear data.” You can also clear your cache, which is where your computer stores previously viewed websites so they can be loaded faster on future visits.
… on your Android device
- On your Android phone or tablet, open the Chrome app.
- To the right of the address bar, tap on “More,” or what looks like three dots, and then select “Settings.”
- Tap on the “Privacy” category and then select “Clear browsing data.”
- Here you can personalize your selections for which cookies to delete by selecting a specific time range.
- Once you have made your selections, you can then check “Cookies and site data.” Uncheck all the other items.
- Tap “Clear data.”
… on your iOS device
- On your device, launch the Chrome app.
- At the top right, tap on the three dots, scroll down, and then select “Settings.”
- Under settings, tap “Privacy” then “Clear browsing data.”
- Select “Cookies, site data” and uncheck all other items.
- Tap on “Clear browsing data.”
- Then select “Done.”
How to clear cookies in Firefox …
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Follow these steps for how to delete cookies in Firefox across your desktop and mobile devices.
… on your Windows or Mac computer
- Open Firefox on your computer.
- In the upper right-hand corner of the browser, click the menu bars, which look like three parallel lines, and click the “Privacy” tab.
- Here you can select “Clear your recent history.”
- Be sure that only “Cookies” is checked, and then select the time frame for which you would like to delete your cookies. If you want to delete all cookies, select “Everything.”
- Double-check your selections to make sure that other items you want to keep are not selected, and then hit “Clear now.”
… on your Android device
Some instructions may vary based on the type of phone you have and what version of Firefox it is running. Look for the menu icon (three bars) located at the top right corner. On older Android devices, you’ll have to press the hardware menu key and then tap “More.”
- Go to the “Settings” menu.
- Look for “Privacy & security” and select “Clear private data.”
- Select “Cookies & active logins.”
- After you have made your selection, tap “Clear data.”
… on your iOS device
- Open Firefox.
- Click on the menu bars, which look like three parallel lines in the lower right-hand corner of the browser window.
- Select “Settings.”
- Scroll down to “Privacy.”
- Select “Clear private data.”
- Make sure only “Cookies” is selected, then tap on “Clear private data.”
How to clear cookies in Safari …
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Apple’s browser is also available across multiple desktop and mobile devices, and there’s a different way for how to delete cookies from each of them.
… on your Mac
- Open Safari.
- Select “Preferences” from the drop-down Safari menu.
- Click on “Privacy,” then on “Manage website data.”
- Click on “Remove all” from the drop-down menu.
… on your iOS device
- Go into the “Settings” menu on your device.
- Scroll down to “Safari” and click “Advanced,” then “Website data”
- Tap on “Clear history and website data” to clear cookies.
How to clear cookies in Microsoft Edge
These steps apply to Windows PCs:
- Launch Microsoft Edge.
- Go to the “More” menu and select “Settings.”
- Scroll to “Clear browsing data,” select “Cookies and saved website data,” and then select “Clear.”
There are a few different reasons why you should clear your browser’s cookies. Whether for privacy reasons or general computer maintenance and cleanup, most browsers make clearing your cookies an easy task.
Alternatively, if you don’t want to clear browsing data because you appreciate the convenience of not having to constantly log in to your favorite sites, be sure to invest in a reputable VPN, like Norton Secure VPN, for an added layer of protection.
Keep your browser clean
Manually cleaning your browser data can be a hassle. That’s one reason why our expert performance engineers built dedicated software that can help clean up your browser automatically.
Norton Utilities Ultimate is a comprehensive optimization tool for your Windows PC that will help you clean up unnecessary browser data, clear out junk files, and get rid of unnecessary software. Enjoy smoother, faster performance today.
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FAQs about how to clear cookies
Here are some frequently asked questions about how to clear cookies.
Can cookies track you?
Cookies are able to track multiple types of data from internet users, from browsing history to personal IP addresses.
Should you delete cookies?
You should consider deleting cookies regularly — especially from sites you don’t frequently visit.
Will clearing cookies delete passwords?
Yes, clearing cookies will wipe saved passwords from autofill settings saved on web browsers.
What happens when you remove all cookies?
Deleting cookies wipes all your personal information from your browser, including usernames, passwords, search history, and website settings and preferences.
Does deleting cookies speed up computers?
Erasing cookies can lead to faster computer speeds. However, deleting information can make it take longer to log into frequently visited websites.
Is it OK to accept cookies?
It’s safe to accept cookies because the cookies themselves aren't dangerous to users. Cookies become risky when hackers can hijack them and view or expose personal information.
- Clare Stouffer
- Gen employee
Clare Stouffer, a Gen employee, is a writer and editor for the company’s blogs. She covers various topics in cybersecurity.
Editorial note:Our articles provide educational information for you. Our offerings may not cover or protect against every type of crime, fraud, or threat we write about. Our goal is to increase awareness about Cyber Safety. Please review complete Terms during enrollment or setup. Remember that no one can prevent all identity theft or cybercrime, and that LifeLock does not monitor all transactions at all businesses. The Norton and LifeLock brands are part of Gen Digital Inc.
Contents
I'm an enthusiast with a deep understanding of online security and browser-related topics. My expertise is demonstrated by my knowledge of the concepts discussed in the article about clearing cookies and cache in various browsers, authored by Clare Stouffer on June 13, 2023.
In the article, Clare highlights the importance of clearing cookies and cache from browsers to enhance online security. The accumulation of cookies, while convenient for users, poses a risk to personal data, as cybercriminals target them for exploitation. To address this concern, the article provides step-by-step guides on how to clear cookies in popular browsers like Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Microsoft Edge.
Here's a breakdown of the concepts covered in the article:
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Introduction to Cookies:
- Cookies make online activities easier, such as saving shopping carts and login credentials.
- Too many stored cookies can pose a security risk, as cybercriminals target personally identifiable information within them.
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Importance of Clearing Cookies:
- Cybercriminals exploit stored cookies for malicious purposes.
- Clearing cookies is crucial for protecting personal data online.
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Step-by-Step Guides for Clearing Cookies:
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Google Chrome:
- Instructions for both Windows/Mac computers and Android/iOS devices.
- Customization options for deleting specific cookies based on time range.
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Mozilla Firefox:
- Steps for both desktop and mobile devices.
- Options to clear recent history, specifically cookies.
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Safari:
- Different steps for Mac and iOS devices.
- Instructions for managing website data and clearing cookies.
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Microsoft Edge:
- Steps for Windows PCs to clear browsing data, including cookies.
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Additional Information:
- The article suggests using performance software like Norton Utilities Ultimate to automate browser data cleanup and optimize system performance.
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FAQs about Clearing Cookies:
- Answers common questions about cookies, including tracking capabilities, the need for deletion, the impact on passwords, and the speed of computers after clearing cookies.
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Author Information:
- Clare Stouffer, identified as a Gen employee, is the writer and editor covering cybersecurity topics.
The article emphasizes the importance of regularly clearing cookies for privacy and computer maintenance. It also provides alternative solutions, such as using a reputable VPN for added protection if one prefers not to clear browsing data frequently.