How to Change Browser Cookie Settings

By Chris Miksen

Internet cookies are used to store data for later use. Websites often store cookies in your Internet browser so that the website can remember your information the next time you return. For example, a shopping website may place cookies in your Internet browser to remember what you purchased two weeks ago, so the site can suggest similar items for you to buy. You can adjust the cookies setting to allow for more privacy.

Internet Explorer

Open Internet Explorer. Click "Tools" and select "Internet Options." The Internet Explorer options window will appear.

Select the "Privacy" tab. Click "Advanced" under "Settings."

Click the check box next to "Override automatic cookie handling." Accept to either accept, block or prompt you for first-party or third-party cookies

Click "OK" and then click "OK" again to exit the Internet Options window.

Firefox

Open Firefox. Click the "Tools" menu and select "Options." Click "Privacy."

Click the drop-down menu next to "Firefox will" and choose "Use custom settings for history."

Select to accept or deny website cookies and third-party cookies. Choose how long to keep the cookies, either until they expire, until you shut down Firefox or choose to have Firefox ask you each time.

Click the "Exceptions" button to add websites to an exception list. For example, if you don't want to accept cookies from a certain website, you can enter that website in the exceptions.

Google Chrome

Start Google Chrome. Click the "Wrench" icon to open the configurations menu. Click "Options" and choose "Under the Hood."

Click the "Content Settings" button. The content settings window will pop up.

Set the cookie permissions. Click "Allow local data to be set" to allow all cookies. Select "Block all sites from setting any data" to block all cookies. You can also choose to block all third-party cookies and erase all cookies when you exit Google chrome.

Click "Exceptions" if you want to add a website to your exception list to either block or allow cookies from specific sites.

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