Cookies are an inevitable part of surfing the web. And, while websites that offer you cookies are nothing new, you may have noticed that almost every website you visit now asks if they can offer you a cookie. with this, it’s natural to wonder how often you should delete cookies from your device.
All of these cookie issues are attributed to the European data protection and privacy law known as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Previously, websites could share or sell your so-called “cookie role” to other companies without your permission, and the GDPR recognizes that this may be considered an invasion of privacy. As a result, websites will now ask if they can give you cookies before they actually do so.
Understandably, however, you may be wary of all these cookies collected online and how often you should delete them.
Of course, you may be a little confused about what cookies are and whether you really want them to appear on your computer in the first place. Here’s what you need to know.
What kind of cookies are they again?
A cookie is a small piece or chunk of data that identifies your computer to a website, says Joseph Steinberg, a cybersecurity expert and emerging technology consultant. These cookies are set by the site’s servers to your device when you visit the site (after you agree, of course).
There are two types of cookies, Steinberg explains: “session” cookies, which expire after you click on the site, and “persistent” cookies, which track you over several different sessions. Session cookies disappear automatically, but persistent cookies remain for a period of time.
Websites use cookies to tailor content to your personal preferences, and marketing companies try to deliver ads directly to you, says Chuck Brooks, a technology and cybersecurity expert and president of Brooks Consulting International. They also allow you to click between pages on the site without having to log in or verify your identity on each page.
So, how often should you delete cookies?
If you’re just using your computer to do things like watch online videos and read the news, Steinberg says, you can delete cookies as long as you’re in the mood. But if you use your computer for “sensitive tasks,” such as online banking or investing, and don’t want to be tracked while using it, Steinberg says, “it may make sense to block and clear cookies.
In general, Brooks says it’s a good idea to check your cookie permissions “as often as possible. He says there’s no exact timeline for how often you should do it. But, he adds, “it’s prudent to do this as often as possible to stay safe.”