Make no mistake: you will be tracked down.
Do you want to be shocked? Look at the secret card on your smartphone that you are watching every move. Tap or click here to see how the map tracks and wipes you
What about ads you follow on the internet? Facebook is one of the biggest data pigs. Tap or click for ways to stop or restrict targeted ads on Facebook.
And then there are cookies, small pieces of data that track your activity online. They are not just hiding in your computer. Cookies store your passwords on your smartphone and help you log in faster, but it can also collect a lot more than you want.
Ask yourself: Are cookies worth the cost?
When it comes to cookies, you need to research your priorities carefully. Do you prefer the convenience of a browser like Safari or Chrome or the privacy of the browser that does not store cookies in the first place?
This is a difficult balance to achieve, especially when you look at how comfortable cookies make our browsing experience. They store your login information and track your preferences to give you the content you care about, but of course it costs you privacy.
The choice depends on you. To clean it up, navigate to the settings of your smartphone. Scroll down to the list of programs. Find your browser and follow the instructions below.
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1. Start with Safari
Follow these steps for Safari on an iPhone:
· Open Settings and tap Safari.
· Tap Clear history and website data. Apple will tell you, “If you clean, history, cookies and other browser data will be removed.”
· Then tap Delete.
2. Kick cookies from Chrome
If you’re more of a Chrome user, the process is a bit different.
On an iPhone:
· Open the Chrome browser and tap on the three dots in the lower right corner and select Settings.
· Now tap Privacy and then Delete browse data. Check cookies, site data, but remove other items.
· Then tap Clear browsing data and tap Done.
It’s also a great way to find out what data you want to delete. Note the option for appropriate images and files. Make sure it is checked, tap Clear Browsing Data and confirm your choice.
Follow these steps for Chrome on Android:
· Open the Chrome app on your Android phone or tablet. Tap More, to the right of the address bar.
· Click on Settings.
· Tap Privacy and select Clear browsing data.
· To delete everything, select All times. If you want to delete cookies from a certain period, select the time frame at the top.
· Check the option Cookies, media licenses and site data.
· Then select Delete data and Delete.
3. Clean Firefox
Firefox’s creator, Mozilla, prioritizes privacy. This browser blocks standard cookies.
There is a reservation. Firefox does allow first-party cookies stored on the website you are visiting.
With these cookies, website owners can collect analytical data, remember your language settings, and so on to personalize your experience. If you want to delete it, this is how.
On an iPhone:
· Open your browser and tap on the three horizontal lines in the lower right corner. From there, tap Settings.
· Move down to the privacy section. Click Data Management.
· Tap Delete private data at the bottom.
· You will get a warning dialog box. Tap OK to delete all the selected data.
Note: This will also delete the history of your synced devices.
Follow these steps if you are using an Android:
· Tap Menu and then Settings.
· Tap Privacy from there.
· Select Clear now and a new window will appear.
· Tap Delete data.
4. Focus your privacy on Opera
Here’s another privacy-centric option that encrypts your data and blocks ads.
To clear cookies, open the browser on your Android or iPhone and tap the Opera icon at the bottom right.
· Tap Settings from there. This will take you to a new window.
· Scroll down and select Browser readers clean. You then have the option to delete cookies and site data, clear your browsing history and even change your site settings.
· Tap Cookies and site data to delete all your cookies.
· You will see a new option appear at the top of the window next to the Delete Browser Data header.
· Tap the Clear button.
For a good size, tap Saved images and files to clear everything that slows down your browser. Then tap the Delete button.
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Learn more about all the latest technology in The Kim Komando Show, the country’s largest radio weekend show. Kim takes calls and gives advice on today’s digital lifestyle, from smartphones and tablets to online privacy and data hacks. For her daily tips, free newsletters and more, visit her website Komando.com.