How to stop Websites asking for cookies

How to stop websites from asking for cookies? Block cookies on websites. Block pop-ups. Should you accept cookies? Which cookies to allow and which cookies to block?

Websites these days are all about cookies. It seems like everywhere you go, you’re being asked if you want to accept cookies. Just like the rest, you probably just click “Yes” without giving it a thought.

But what are these cookies, and why do websites keep asking for them?

Here is a quick guide to understanding what cookies really are and why do websites ask for them.

If you’re tired of seeing those cookie pop-ups, there are a few things you can do to stop them. You can adjust your browser settings to block or limit cookies or delete cookies that have already been stored on your computer. You can also install browser extensions that block or manage cookies.

With a few simple steps, you can stop websites from asking for cookies and take control of your browsing experience.

What are cookies?

Cookies are small pieces of data that are stored on your computer when you visit a website. Websites use cookies to track your browsing habits and preferences so that they can show you relevant content and ads.

They can help in providing you with a unique and personalized user experience while browsing or visiting any website.

Why do websites ask for cookies?

They enable the website to remember your actions and preferences (such as login details, language, font size, and other display preferences) over a period of time, so you don’t have to keep re-entering them whenever you come back to the site or browse from one page to another.

They will collect your personal data and thus enable the website to recognize you as an existing returning customer the next time you log in.

What cookies do websites use?

There are many types of cookies that are used by websites. Each and every type serves a different purpose.

Session Cookies

As the name suggests, they are valid only for the session or the time that you spend on the website. Once the browser is closed, these are deleted. These are quite commonly used by shopping websites.

Permanent Cookies

These are obviously, as the name states, permanent in nature and will remain in existence even after the browser is closed. These cookies will remember your username and passwords so that you do not need to re-enter again and again.

These get deleted after 12 months.

First Party Cookies

These types of cookies are installed directly by the website and will allow the website to collect analytical data, language preferences, etc. Their main purpose is to provide the user with a unique and personalized experience.

Third-party cookies

These types of cookies are installed by third parties for collecting data relating to demographic, geographic, spending habits, behavior, etc. Typically installed by advertising companies.

Flash cookies

These cookies are permanent in nature and will always be stored on your device. They are commonly used for playing videos and by advertisers for collecting data.

Zombie cookies

These are types of Flash cookies but they are difficult to detect or manage. They will keep recreating on your device even after you have erased them. They are often used in online games to prevent cheating. 

However, due to their very nature, they are also prone to abuse and can be used to install malware on your device.

How do I stop cookie requests?

It’s fairly simple to stop cookie requests. While Safari and Mozilla do not allow tracking in their browser, Chrome still does.

So if you want to block these tracking cookies or third-party cookies, then follow the below steps in Chrome:

1. On your computer open Chrome.
2. At the top right side click the three dots.
3. Click Settings.
4. Under – Privacy and security – click “Cookies and other site data”.
5. Here you can choose any of the options that you want. Its recommended that you block third-party cookies.

There is also a “Do Not Track” option which you should toggle on. Though in my experience, it does not do much. It merely requests the websites that you visit, that they do not track you. The websites may or may not accept this request. 

Nevertheless, there is no harm in keeping it on.

Alternatively, you can switch your browser from Chrome to other browsers that will take your privacy seriously.

Tor, DuckDuckGo, and Brave are some of the few browsers available for free which take steps to stop you from being tracked online. They are very privacy-conscious and do not allow third-party cookies by default.

From not storing your data logs, to encrypting your data, these browsers employ a number of steps to ensure your peace of mind.

There is another way in which you can keep using the websites without worrying about leaking your data. You can use a VPN. This will encrypt and protect your identity from the website that you are browsing.

To know more about VPNs and how they can benefit you, click the link below:

What is a VPN and How does it help?

Should I give my consent to accept all cookies?

You should never give consent to “Allow all cookies”.

Your data is precious and while there is no 100% sure shot way to protect your privacy, you should take all reasonable steps to protect it. 

The GDPR rules were designed to give you control over your data and privacy. 

You can simply decline the “Accept Cookies” message and most websites should work just fine.

Which cookies are essential, and which should you not block?

Cookies are helpful as the data they collect enriches your user experience with the website. So, in a way, they are used to benefit you the user.

As a general rule of thumb, you can accept cookies from reputed websites and you should always decline cookies from unencrypted websites.

How to allow specific websites to use cookies?

You can choose to allow specific websites access to all cookies. In chrome follow the below steps:

1. On your computer open Chrome.
2. At the top right side click the three dots.
3. Click Settings.
4. Under – Privacy and security – click “Cookies and other site data”.
5. Scroll down to “Customized behaviors”.
6. Click on “Add” next to “Sites that can always use cookies”
7. Enter the website name that you want to grant access to all cookies. 
8. Click on “Add” again.
9. Now the website that you have added will have access to all the cookies.

Similarly, you can also add websites that can never use cookies or you can add websites under” Always clear cookies when windows are closed”. This ensures that all cookies used by that website will be deleted once you close the browser window. 

Final thoughts: 

No doubt cookies are useful as they help in delivering a more personalized experience for you when you browse online. After all, who wants to keep logging in every time when you have the option of being ”remembered” and thus auto-logged in.

A Unique interface, Personalized content, and relevant ads for the products you want are some of the other benefits that you get by giving in to the cookie world.

However, in a world of increasing surveillance and being tracked wherever you go, some users might feel uncomfortable with how much information these sites are collecting about you.

Fortunately for privacy-conscious users, there are a couple of steps with which they can protect their privacy and their data, albeit only to a certain extent.

Ultimately, it is up to you to decide how comfortable you are with sharing your online presence and to what extent you want to go to protect it.