What are cookies and how to clear cookies in modern browsers. Cookies - what is it? Cookies in the browser: basic functions
Many users of the site complain that pictures and photos in blog topics often do not open. This could be for several reasons:
you just need to come back later.2. Slow Internet. You can check the speed of your Internet, compare it with the one for which you pay under the contract.
3. Cookies may not be enabled in the browser (the program with which you access the Internet). What are cookies? You can read more about them on Wikipedia.
In short, A cookie is a small piece of textual information that the server sends to the browser.
Most modern browsers allow users to choose whether or not to accept cookies, but turning them off makes some websites unusable. In general, you need to look in the settings, usually they are enabled by default.
There are programs like CCleaner for cleaning cookies. Sometimes they accumulate quite a lot and they take up extra disk space. You can download and install this program . If you have not yet used such a program, your computer has long turned, sorry, into a garbage pit from which no one cleans up ...
In order for my computer to work like a clock, so that the disk space is free, I clean my cookies DAILY after I finish working on my computer. If this is not done, over time, work will slow down, and many programs may not open.
How to enable cookies?
1. From the "Tools" menu, select "Options".
2. To update your cookie settings, go to the "Privacy" section and select "Cookies".
3. Check the "Allow sites to set cookies" checkbox.
4. Click OK.
In Netscape 7.1/Mozilla 5.0
1. From the "Edit" menu, select the "Preferences" item.
2. Click on the arrow next to "Privacy & Security" in the browser window.
3. In the "Privacy & Security" section, select "Cookies".
4. Select "Enable all cookies".
5. Click OK.
At Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0+
1. From the "Tools" menu, select "Internet Options".
2. To update your browser settings, go to the "Privacy" tab.
3. In the "Settings" section, click the "Default" button or move the slider down to "Medium".
4. Click OK.
In Apple Safari
1. From the Safari menu, select Options.
2. To update your cookie settings, go to the "Privacy" tab.
3. Select "Always" to accept and remember all cookies.
4. Click OK.
Opera 9.00 and above:
On the menu Tools (Tools) select item Settings (Preferences) and go to the tab Additionally (Advanced), select the menu item Cookies and install Accept cookies (Accept cookies).
Helpful Hints:
- It is worth periodically analyzing the cookies stored on your computer for the presence of confidential information in them. Sites that create such cookies should be blacklisted, allowing only session cookies for them;
- After you finish working on your computer in public places, it is recommended to delete all cookies. There are special portable versions of browsers designed for automatic deletion cookies;
- By configuring your browser, you can prevent third-party cookies from being accepted. This usually does not affect browsing the web sites (counters, iframes, etc. are cut), but significantly reduces the number of saved cookies.
Almost everyone Windows user met with such a concept as cookies. What is it, why they are needed and why it is desirable to clean them, read in the framework of this publication.
Cookies - what are they?
Cookies are text file with data that is written to the browser by the server of the site you visit. These data are:
- login and password information;
- individual settings and preferences of the user;
- visit statistics, etc.
With this data, the site you visited will be able to identify you. It happens like this:
- the site server polls the browser for information in the cookie file;
- the browser provides this information by sending a response to the server;
- depending on what information the site server receives, you will be identified or become a new identity for the site (if cookies are cleared).
The main parameter of a cookie is its expiration date. By default, this is one computer session. Files are deleted when the browser is closed. If they have an expiration date, they become permanent, and are removed when they expire or by the browser's cleanup function.
What are they needed for?
First of all, they are needed for the convenience of using the Internet. For example, once you enter your profile on the site, you will not need to constantly enter your login and password after closing the tab.
Also, thanks to cookies, individual account settings are saved. For example, some sites offer to add to favorites, change the design, change the interface using such files with an expiration date.
Where are cookies stored?
The files are saved in the user's folder. Each browser has its own way:
- Opera C:\Users\UserName\AppData\Local\Opera Software\Opera
- Google Chrome C:\Users\UserName\AppData\Local\Chromium
- Yandex.Browser C:\Users\User_Name\AppData\Local\Yandex\YandexBrowser
- Mozilla Firefox C:\Users\UserName\AppData\Local\Mozilla\Firefox
Why clean?
It is advisable to clear cookies from time to time. In addition to being useful, they can also bring some inconveniences:
- They provide fast access to your profiles without entering a login and password. If an outsider is at the computer, he will be able to access your personal data.
- In addition, if a stranger is at your computer, uncleared cookies can be used to track your browsing history. This is bad from a privacy point of view.
- If the site does not properly handle your cookie, you may not be able to log in to your profile, or some functions on the web service will not work correctly.
How to clear cookies?
I will give an example of cleaning for popular browsers:
- Opera. Ctrl+H → Clear history → Cookies and other data from websites.
- Google Chrome. Ctrl+H → Clear history → Cookies and other site and plugin data.
- Yandex browser. Ctrl+H → Clear history → Cookies and other site and module data.
- Mozilla Firefox. Ctrl+Shift+Del → Cookies.
How to disable?
In general, the creation of cookies can be disabled in the browser. This feature is available in all popular browsers, so there shouldn't be any problems. But after disabling this feature, some sites may stop working, as they interact with the user exclusively through cookies.
To disable in popular browsers:
Advice! If you see notifications in your browser: “cookies must be allowed” or “an attempt to store a cookie was blocked”, then your browser does not store cookies by default. Open settings and turn on saving cookies.
Surely in the process of using the Internet you have come across the term cookies. What it is? Essentially, a cookie is a file or several small files that store text information. They are created when you visit sites that support this technology.
How do cookies work?
Everything is very simple. As soon as the browser receives a certain web page from the site, the connection between it and your PC is broken. If you decide to go to another page of the same resource or update the current one, a new connection will be established. On sites where there is no user authorization, this does not create any problems. But if it is necessary, without additional measures the resource is not able to “remember” the people visiting it and display information in accordance with the preferences of each of them. To avoid a situation in which, moving between different pages of the site, a person is not perceived by the service as a new, unauthorized visitor, cookies help. What is textual information, you already know. And cookies work very simply: when you move from one page to another, the server sends a request to the computer for data from cookies. With the help of them, he finds out who is going to perform such an action, and then, based on the information received, grants or refuses the request. Cookies are also used when creating online stores. It is thanks to them that the usual basket can exist, in which data about selected, but not yet processed goods are stored. And it is cookies that allow the specified products not to disappear from it while you are browsing other parts of the catalog and placing an order.
Why are cookies useful?
You are already aware of several aspects of the use of cookies. What is it, we also managed to find out. Now let's talk about what else can be useful this technology and in what cases it can not be dispensed with.
Surely you know that now so-called "affiliate programs" operate on many services. Almost all of them are long-term and last for months or even years. Throughout this period, information is stored on the hard disk, thanks to which the partner will receive his percentage if the user who clicked on his link orders a service or product from the seller.
When working with hit counters, rating and voting systems, cookies are also used. What does it give in this case? Cookies are necessary so that the system can determine that given user already followed the link or left your vote. That is, there is some kind of insurance against artificial markups. There are ways to bypass such protection, but for ordinary users this result is more than enough.
What should be feared?
When working with cookies, it is important to remember that in some cases, seemingly harmless textual information can be dangerous.
Cookies are one of the most important potential causes of online privacy violations. Why is this happening? Advertising sites always keep track of which ads a particular user is viewing. Cookies store data about which ads a person has already seen, track which topics are of interest to him. And while we are talking about cookies for a particular site, there is no need to talk about the leakage of personal information. But if we are talking about large advertising networks, the codes of which are present on the vast majority of resources, everything becomes more complicated. So, thanks to the system, it can collect almost all information about human activity on the network. And if on some site he enters his first and last name, it becomes possible to associate all these actions with a real person.
There are other problems related to cookies. Mostly programmers who write code document. cookies for different sites. Without first reading professional sources, you can allow cookies to store logins and passwords from the site. As a result, it becomes very easy to remove them and use them for your own purposes. However, almost all more or less serious sites store passwords and logins in a database on the server. Cookies are used here simply as a conditional identifier for the user. Moreover, it is issued only for a short period of time. That is, even if a hacker manages to gain access to cookies, he will not find any valuable information there.
How to enable, disable and clear cookies?
If you choose to disable cookies, please note that you will need to re-enable them each time you go to a site that requires it.
For Mozilla Firefox. We go to "Tools". Next, you should find the "Settings" item, and in it - the "Privacy" tab. Opposite Firefox in the “History” frame, you need to select the “do not remember” item from the list.
For Google Chrome. Open “Options” by clicking on the button in the form After that, go to “Advanced” -> “Content settings”. In the window that appears, select the Cookie item, and then check the item that prohibits the saving of data by sites.
As you can see, disabling or re-enabling cookies in Chrome and Mozilla Firefox, the most popular browsers, is very simple. In other browsers, this is done in the same way, using the "Security", "Privacy" tabs, etc.
If you need to clear your cookies, it's faster and easier to do it without using standard means browser, and using special utility- cCleaner. Before cleaning, you need to close all browsers, otherwise you will not be able to delete all cookies.
In general, the best option is to install one of the programs that automate the work with cookies. Now there are a huge number of such applications, they weigh quite a lot and save users from having to constantly change settings manually.
Each of us spends a lot of time at the computer and in particular on the Internet. Most of you have probably met with such a concept as cookies. But probably, at the sight of this word, everyone immediately went to Google and looked for what it is, why clean them, and in general what they are intended for.
Since they are talking about it, it means that the thing is necessary and useful. Let's deal with this issue and try to understand what these so-called cookies.
What are cookies?
Cookies or as we call them in Runet "cookies"- these are not large pieces of data with which the browser receives the necessary information (data) from the server. The exchange takes place using the http protocol when you visit a site. If the same site is visited a couple of times, then the browser and the server where the site is located exchange data each time anew.
Some data may be stored for a certain time (one session) and deleted when the browser is closed. Others can be stored for a long time and are written to a special cookie.txt file. , which is located in the directory of the browser you are using.
Cookies also allow the browser to remember some user data on the site, and not re-apply to the server for this data. Many will say, what's the difference, let him turn at least 100 times. This is the whole problem, with the help of them you can reduce the load on the server, which is very good.
Inaccurate information about cookies:
- Cookies are not programs (text file) don't believe it, they can somehow infect your computer with viruses.
- They have nothing in common with pop-ups. Windows are disabled by means of the browser or additional extensions, .
- Cookies do not identify you as a person, it defines browser data. For example, if you open a new site in one browser and register, then the next time you enter this site from the same browser, all data will be saved. If you log in from a new browser, you will have to enter the data again. It also does not depend on who uses this computer, you or someone else.
What are they needed for?
In the modern Internet, many sites will not be able to work without cookies, and if they can, they will lose most of their functionality.
Examples of the need for cookies:
- Authorization. Most of the sites: and others, have authorization (login, password, name, phone number, mail). If you do not use so-called cookies, then when you switch to new page, you will need to re-enter the login and password or other data.
- Online shopping. This is a separate issue, if you do not use cookies, then it will not be possible to buy a product at all, since the entire operation of the basket is based on saving data from these files. If you select a product and go to a new page, it will disappear.
- Settings. Let's say you are in search engines set the necessary settings, region, language, etc. So that they do not go astray and do not become the default.
These are just a few examples, in fact there are many. But the very use cookie is very necessary and useful.
What are persistent and third-party cookies?
Persistent cookies, as a rule, can be saved for the whole time or for a certain period of time, which will be specified by the site developer. After overcoming this time, they will automatically be cleaned. These are the cookies that are stored in cookie.txt, which is located in the directory of the browser you are using.
Third party cookies- these are files that can be stored and loaded on third-party servers, and not on those where your site is located. Examples might be, installed counters tracking Google visits(), Yandex (), LiveInternet, scripts for various ad units, uploading photos and much more. All of these examples can send data to the browser.
Many people are wary of third-party cookies, as they can violate privacy policies. Using browser settings, you can block them and prohibit downloading.
How to clear, block or disable cookies in modern browsers.
There are situations in which it is necessary to clear or delete cookies. Here are some examples.
- You entered the site from someone else's computer and logged in, in order not to leave your username and password on this computer, you need to clear the cookie. And even better in such cases, for this you can use the keys Ctrl+Shift+N.
- There are problems with entering the page, the first thing to do is clear the cache in the browser. You can read the article: "". If that doesn't help, then try clearing your cookies using the methods described below.
- You may need to disable or block the loading of third-party cookies.
Let's look at several ways for each of the browsers.
Google Chrome (Google Chrome)
- We go to the browser.
- Pressing a keyboard shortcut Ctrl+Shift+Delete.
- In the window that opens, select the item “Cookies and other site and plug-in data”. In the list, select the period for which you want to delete. Don't forget to click "Clear history".
Clear Google history Chrome To block or prohibit sites from saving data, you need to go to the menu and click on the “Settings” item. On the settings page, look for the “Personal data” item and click on the “Content settings” button.
Customizing Google Chrome Content In the pop-up window, you can see the item “Cookies” and put the necessary mark. You can manage sites or make exceptions from which sites to keep and which to block. After making changes, you must click the “Finish” button.
In Yandex browser, all steps are similar!
Mozilla Firefox
- We go to the browser.
- Pressing a keyboard shortcut Ctrl+Shift+Delete. You can also go to the menu, find the item “ Magazine” and select “Delete recent history” from the list.
- In the window that opens, select "Cookies". In the list, select the period for which you want to delete. Don't forget to click "Delete history".
To block or prohibit sites from saving data, you need to go to the menu and click on the “Settings” item. On the settings page, we are looking for the “Privacy” tab. Here you can choose whether to track your site or not, as well as record cookies in history or not. If you need to delete individual cookies for sites, click on the text “Delete individual cookies”. In the window, select the necessary sites to delete. Do not forget to save the settings.
Opera
As in the previous cases, there are 2 ways in which you can clear . Using keyboard shortcuts Ctrl+Shift+Delete or go to the menu and find the item “History”. In the right upper corner find "Clear browsing history". In the history window, put a checkmark next to "Delete cookies and site data", select the period in the drop-down list and click the "Clear browsing history" button.
If you need to block or ban cookie storage, then in the menu we are looking for the item “Settings”. On the settings page in the left menu, select "Security". Below we put the necessary marks to block or prohibit saving. You can also manage exceptions, select and allow data to be saved.
Internet Explorer
I do not like this browser, but I'll tell you for him too.
- We go to the browser.
- We press the keys Ctrl+Shift+Delete or go to the menu, find the item “Security” and select “ Delete browsing history”.
- In the window, put a checkmark next to the item “Cookies and website data”. Click the "Delete" button.
If you need to block or prohibit the saving of data, then you need to select the “Security” item in the menu and go to “Tracking protection” in the list. To be honest, I didn’t understand how everything was arranged there, since I don’t really use this browser and I don’t advise you.
safari
Apple's latest browser. I like it styling but it's not very popular with me. To clear cookies, follow the steps below.
- We go to the browser.
- Go to the menu and select " Reset browser". In the reset window, check the boxes next to the items “Delete saved names and passwords”, “Delete all website data”. Don't forget to click the "Reset" button.
If you need to block or prohibit saving site cookies, then go to the menu and select the “Settings” item. In the settings window we find the “Privacy” tab, where you can delete (clear all data), block and prohibit.
Opera open the main menu, go to the "Settings" section and select the line " General settings...". Or you can just press the hot keys CTRL + F12. This will open the browser settings window, where on the "Advanced" tab you need to click on the "Cookies" section in the left pane. In it, you need to click the "Manage Cookies" button.
In Mozilla FireFox, open the "Tools" section in the menu and select "Settings". In the settings window, you need to go to the "Privacy" tab, find the button there that says "Show Cookies ..." and click it to access the list of cookies stored by the browser. Here they can be searched and viewed.
In Internet Explorer, expand the "Tools" section in the menu and select "Properties". In the property settings window, go to the General tab and click the Options button in the Browsing History section. In this way, you will open another window (“Temporary File Options”), in which you need to click the “Show Files” button.
Click the "Name" heading in the list of contents of the Internet Explorer temporary files folder that opens - this way you can group all cookies into one block in a common pile of heterogeneous files. Here you can find the file of interest and open it in a standard Notepad for viewing or editing.
In Google Chrome, click on the wrench icon in the upper right corner of the window and select "Options" from the menu. The browser will open "Settings", and you click on the "Advanced" link in its left pane and on the advanced settings page, click on the "Content Settings" button. This is not the last one on the way to the cookies stored by this browser.
Google Chrome provides the ability to search, view and delete cookies.
IN Safari browser click the gear icon in the upper right corner and select the "Settings ..." line. In the window for changing settings, you need to go to the "Security" tab in order to click the "Show Cookies" button there. Safari only provides functions for searching and deleting cookies, the contents of these temporary files can only be partially seen here.
note
So, the paths to the folder with Cookies have been determined, now we need to determine the specific path to the file with Cookies itself. In Mozilla Firefox, this is the cookies.sqlite file, but it is located in the Profile folder for each user, and the folder name is generated “randomly”. By the way, I also have Vista and I also can’t find where the cookies are. Tell me??
No one really knows where the term "cookie" came from, although it is believed that at the time of the birth of Unix systems, the phrase Magic Cookies was used somewhere. They meant "receipts" (token, ticket), which were exchanged between programs. If any matching cookie values are found, the browser sends them to the server as a name/value pair
Sources:
- where to find cookies in opera
- Hacking VKontakte, through cookies
Cookies or, in simple terms, cookies, are temporary files that are stored on your computer while you navigate through different pages of the site. Cookies support can be disabled, but when using many sites, it is necessary to enable cookies for correct operation site. To enable cookies, your steps will depend on which Internet browser you are using.
You will need
- - a computer connected to the Internet;
- - connected internet browser
Instruction
When in browser Windows Internet Explorer to enable Cookies, click on the "gear" icon in the upper right corner of the screen. From the drop-down menu, select "Internet Options". In the window that opens, go to the "Privacy" tab. With the left mouse button, move the security level lever for the Internet zone to the "Medium" level. Click OK.
IN browser Mozilla Firefox, click on the orange Firefox icon at the top left of the screen. In the selection window that opens, click "Settings". Select the "Privacy" tab. In the "History" line, select the "Firefox will use your history storage settings" option. Next, check the box "Accept cookies from sites" > OK. Alternatively, in the "History" column, select the option "Firefox will remember history" > OK.
Using Opera browser click on the Opera icon in the top left corner of the page. In the drop-down menu, select the "Settings" - "General settings" section. Go to the "Advanced" tab. In the left menu, select "Cookies" and check the box next to the option "Accept only from the visited site" > OK.
IN browser Google Chrome to enable cookies, click on the icon " wrench» at the top right of the screen. Go to "Options" and then to the "Advanced" tab. In "Content Settings" select "Cookies" and check the box next to "Allow local data to be saved". At the end, click "Close".
Related videos
Helpful advice
Sources:
- How to enable cookies in 2019
- cookies how to enable in 2019
- fragments of data that are sent by the web server and stored on the user's computer for further use. With their help, some data is stored, which is then used to access Internet resources or save special settings. In Internet Explorer (IE) this setting can be enabled using the corresponding menu item.