How to Manage and Delete Cookies?

How to Manage and Delete Cookies

Cookies are text files created by websites that store users' information to identify the user and track the session. They are information temporarily or permanently stored on a user's device.

Find more information about cookies at All about cookies

What are First-Party Cookies? Are There Other Types of Cookies?

There are two main types of cookies: First-party cookies and Third-party cookies.

  • First-party cookies: These are created directly by the website you visit. They are often used to store user preferences and session data to enhance your browsing experience.
  • Third-party cookies: These are created by external websites that are embedded within the website you visit. Examples include ads, images, or text hosted on other domains. These cookies are typically used for tracking and personalized advertising.

Websites that use a compliant CMP platform like UniConsent will ask for user consent to accept or reject cookies, ensuring compliance with privacy regulations such as GDPR and CCPA.

How to View Cookies in Chrome?

Viewing cookies stored in Chrome is simple using the Developer Tools:

Access Chrome Developer Tools:

  1. Right-click on the website you are visiting and select Inspect.
  2. Alternatively, press Ctrl + Shift + I (Windows) or Command + Shift + I (Mac).

Locate Cookies:

  1. Navigate to the Application tab in Developer Tools.
  2. On the left-hand side, expand the Cookies section under "Storage."
  1. Select a domain to see cookies associated with it.
  2. Inspect key attributes like Name, Value, Expiration, Domain, Path, Secure, and HTTPOnly.

Understanding cookie attributes is critical for privacy and security:

  • Name/Value: The name of the cookie and its associated value. For authentication cookies, the value might include an access token provided by the server.
  • Expires: Defines the cookie's lifespan.
    • Session cookies: Stored in client memory and expire when the browser is closed.
    • Persistent cookies: Stored on the user's hard drive and expire on a specified date or when the user logs out.
  • Path: Specifies the directory or pages on a website that can access the cookie.
  • Domain: Indicates the domain that can access the cookie.
    • Subdomains can access parent-domain cookies, making this feature useful for single sign-on solutions but also increasing vulnerability to attacks like session fixation.
    • Browsers prohibit generic domains (e.g., .com, .org) from being set as cookie domains.
  • Secure: Ensures cookies are sent only over HTTPS, protecting them from being intercepted during transmission. This also validates the site's SSL certificate for secure connections.
  • HTTPOnly: Prevents client-side scripts from accessing cookies via document.cookie.
    • This protects cookies from cross-site scripting (XSS) attacks.
    • However, some browser limitations may still allow writing cookies or reading them via HTTP responses.

Chrome allows users to customize cookie preferences:

Manage Third-Party Cookies:

  1. Go to Chrome Settings > Privacy and Security > Cookies and Other Site Data.
  2. Choose from:
    • Allow all cookies
    • Block third-party cookies in Incognito
    • Block all third-party cookies
  3. Specific sites can be added to allow third-party cookies even when they are blocked by default.

Delete Cookies:

  1. Navigate to Settings > Privacy and Security > Cookies and Other Site Data.
  2. Select See all site data and permissions.
  3. Click Delete all data to clear all cookies or search for a specific site and remove its cookies.

Warning: Deleting cookies may log you out of websites and erase saved preferences.