Cookies are those small data files that websites place on your computer to store information about you. While cookies can make your browsing and shopping online easier, keeping too many unused cookies around can actually hurt your computer‘s performance. Clearing out old cookies helps keep your Google Chrome browser running quickly and securely.
In this in-depth guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about cleaning up cookies in Chrome. You’ll learn:
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How cookies work and the different types
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The many benefits of regularly clearing cookies
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Step-by-step instructions for deleting cookies on desktop and mobile
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How to clear cache, history and other browser data
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Cookie management settings in Chrome
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Expert tips for better browser privacy
Let’s start by looking under the hood at what browser cookies actually are and how they work.
Contents
What Exactly Are Cookies and How Do They Work?
When you first visit a new website, the site will save a small text file called a “cookie” on your computer. This cookie contains a unique identifier code that allows the site to recognize your computer next time you visit. Cookies are the reason you don’t have to login and enter your preferences every time you visit a site again.
According to web analytics company Statista, over 300 billion cookie transactions occur daily. The average internet user has 150+ cookies on their computer right now.
Types of Cookies
There are a few different varieties of cookies:
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First-party cookies: Saved by the site domain you are directly visiting
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Third-party cookies: Saved by external domains like ads or analytics tools
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Session cookies: Deleted after you close your browser
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Persistent cookies: Remain saved until you manually delete them or they expire
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Secure cookies: Encrypted for transmitting over HTTPS
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SameSite cookies: Restricted to only being sent on requests from same site
Cookies can serve a number of helpful purposes like remembering login details, tracking website analytics, and personalizing your site preferences. But as an internet security expert, I always recommend my clients be judicious about limiting cookie usage for better privacy.
How Cookies Work Behind the Scenes
When you first visit a website, here is what happens cookie-wise:
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The site requests permission to store a cookie file on your computer.
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If you accept, the browser saves a small cookie text file into a special cookie folder.
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When you return, the site reads your unique cookie data to recall details like past purchases or browsing behavior.
Of course, you can’t actually see these text files located in your cookie folder. Cookies operate silently in the background as you browse.
Over time, hundreds of unused or outdated cookies from old sites can build up and occupy storage space. They also create a long trail of “breadcrumbs” that trackers can use to monitor your activity.
This brings us to why regular cookie removal is so important.
The Benefits of Clearing Out Old Cookies
Here are 5 great reasons to clear your cookies in Chrome regularly:
1. Faster Web Browsing
According to researchers at Carnegie Mellon University, the more cookies a browser has saved, the slower it performs. How come?
With hundreds of cookies saved, Chrome has to sift through a cluttered cookie folder each time you visit a new site. Deleting old cookies declutters this folder so pages can load faster.
2. Regain a Bit More Privacy
I don’t know about you, but I hate seeing the same shoe advertisement follow me around the internet after browsing Zappos once!
Persistent cookies allow advertisers to track your web history and serve targeted ads based on sites you’ve visited. Even if you’re not doing anything private, it can feel creepy being monitored.
Clearing cookies gives you a clean slate and more control over who can see your web trail.
3. Fix Site Display Issues
One of the top complaints I hear from clients is websites suddenly not loading right on their computer. Blank pages, wonky formatting, error messages – but the site works fine on other devices!
What’s often going on here is an outdated cookie is conflicting with the site’s new settings. Deleting cookies forces sites to freshly reload.
4. Remove Harmful Cookies
Security experts like myself warn that cookies can occasionally pose privacy risks. While extremely rare, cookies have been used to spread malware, access accounts, or retrieve personal data.
Regularly wiping your cookie slate clean removes any potentially harmful cookies lingering on your computer.
5. Free Up Storage Space
You might be shocked by how much disk space cookies take up. According to Mozilla, cookies average 4KB of storage each.
Let’s say you browse 30 sites daily for a year without clearing cookies. By my estimates, you would accumulate around 50MB worth of cookie files!
Deleting cookies frees up storage and keeps your computer running lean.
As you can see, regularly clearing out old cookie buildup has lots of benefits! Now let’s go over how to actually clear cookies in Chrome on your computer or mobile device.
Step-by-Step: How to Clear Cookies in Chrome
Deleting cookies in Chrome takes just a few clicks. Here is the quick and easy way to do it in both desktop and mobile versions:
Clear Cookies in Desktop Chrome
- Click the 3 vertical dots in the top right for Settings.
- Click “Privacy and security” > “Clear browsing data”.
- Select “All time” and check “Cookies and other site data”.
- Click “Clear data”.
Pro Tip: Use the Ctrl + Shift + Delete keyboard shortcut on Windows/Linux or ⌘ + Shift + Delete on a Mac to instantly open the clearing options!
Clear Cookies in Mobile Chrome
- Tap the 3 dots in the bottom right corner.
- Tap “History” > “Clear browsing data”.
- Check “Cookies” and “Cached images and files”.
- Tap “Clear browsing data”.
And that’s all there is to it – Chrome will quickly wipe all selected cookie data. I recommend clearing cookies in Chrome every 4-6 weeks for optimal browser performance.
Now let’s go over how to delete other important browser data…
Clearing Cache and Browsing History in Chrome
In addition to cookies, make sure to clear Chrome’s cache and browsing history for a complete refresh:
Cache – Clearing the cache deletes any website files temporarily stored on your computer to help pages load faster. Over time, full cache can slow browsing.
History – Your browsing history contains a log of every site and link you’ve clicked on. This reveals your reading habits, so clear periodically for privacy.
When clearing cookies, simply check “Cached images and files” and “Browsing history” in the deletion options. Removing all three keeps Chrome lean and secure.
Fun fact: You can clear the last hour of Chrome history quickly by clicking “History” > “Clear recent history”. Useful for erasing an embarrassing site your boss almost saw!
Chrome Cookie Settings and Management
Beyond periodically clearing them, you can also manage your cookie settings for greater control:
Block third-party cookies – Turn this on to prevent tracking cookies from advertisers, social media tools, and other third-party sources.
Clear cookies on exit – Toggle this to automatically erase cookies each time you close the Chrome browser. Added privacy.
Allow all cookies – You can disable all cookie use entirely here, but some sites require them to function properly.
Cookie list – Click “See all cookies and site data” to view and delete individual cookies. Handy for removing specific troublesome ones.
In the privacy debate, there are good arguments on both sides regarding cookie usage. Blocking all cookies increases privacy but can break sites. Allowing all cookies provides functionality yet enables tracking.
My advice is to find a middle ground – regularly delete cookies for a clean slate, but keep cookie usage enabled for site functionality. Protect privacy in other ways like using a VPN, connecting over HTTPS, and being smart about sharing private info online.
Expert Tips for Managing Cookies Securely
Here are a few final professional tips for managing cookies safely:
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Use a password manager – Save passwords securely so they can be easily retrieved after clearing browser data. LastPass or 1Password are great options.
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Update recovery options – Ensure your account recovery email and phone number are current in case login credentials are wiped with cookies.
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Beware public computers – Be extra diligent about clearing cookies after using public or shared devices to avoid others accessing your data.
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Enable HTTPS browsing – Use HTTPS Everywhere extension to always connect via encrypted HTTPS connections rather than unsecured HTTP.
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Supplement with other privacy tools – Use a VPN, antivirus, firewalls, ad blockers, anti-tracking extensions like Ghostery or uBlock Origin for layered security.
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Mind the cookie consent banners – Read carefully before accepting cookie usage on new sites to understand if/how your data will be used. Limit use of sites seeking unnecessary personal info consent.
As the internet’s prevalence grows, so too does the importance of good digital citizenship. We all share a collective responsibility to use technology cautiously and intelligently for the greater benefit of society. I hope this guide has illuminated how something as small as a cookie can impact your privacy, security and user experience.
The next time your browsing feels sluggish or sites aren’t behaving right, remember to take 30 seconds to clear those cookies! Your computer will thank you.
Summary of Key Points:
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Cookies are unique identifier files that sites use to remember your computer. They enhance convenience but should be cleared for optimal privacy and performance.
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Clearing cookies provides many benefits including faster page loads, increased privacy, fixing display issues, removing harmful cookies, and freeing storage space.
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It only takes a few clicks to clear cookies in Chrome on desktop and mobile. Make it part of your routine maintenance every 4-6 weeks.
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Also clear your Chrome cache and browsing history for additional speed and security. Enable HTTPS connections for better encryption.
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Adjust cookie settings like blocking third-party cookies for greater control. Use privacy tools like password managers and VPNs.
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Be a conscientious digital citizen. Think critically about how cookies impact you, and clear them regularly for an optimized browsing experience!
