Do this
Regularly “clear cookies”: Clearing (or deleting) cookies doesn’t meaningfully improve security or stop modern tracking, which now includes identifiers and fingerprinting other than cookies.
Why it’s outdated
Cookies are small files that keep you signed in and remember your settings. Clearing them signs you out everywhere, so you type passwords more often. It does little against tracking: sites can recognize your browser by its settings and features, known as fingerprinting, without any cookies at all. Modern browsers already block many tracking cookies on their own.
Common questions
Privacy in the modern era is complex, and it involves many factors that fall outside the scope of this site. While the security basics help, privacy risks often come from data brokers, online tracking, app permissions, and the policies of the services you use. For practical, trustworthy guidance, we created a Resources page, especially the privacy advice from Consumer Reports Security Planner and the EFF’s Surveillance Self-Defense guides. These offer clear next steps tailored to your needs and risk level.
Do this instead
Leave your cookies alone. For security, rely on multi-factor authentication and up-to-date software. For privacy, see Additional Resources.