What are computer cookies and why do I need to clear them?

Even if you are generally tech-savvy and seem to know enough about technology, there are probably a handful of computer terms you only pretend to know. Example: cookies. Never fear, let’s break it down quick.

So, what are cookies? And why can’t we eat them?
A computer cookie is nothing like the cookies you bake in the oven. It is basically a small text file that gets left behind on your machine after you visit a website. This file can store all types of info, from the content that you have searched to the links you’ve clicked on. That data gets collected to create a computer-generated profile of all your online activities.

But why?
It may seem kind of creepy, but cookies can be helpful. For example, they make your web browsing experience way more efficient by remembering things like your login details, and what items you have  in your eBay shopping cart. The kind of cookies that you need to be careful of, are the ones called third-party cookies.

Wait, there are two different types of cookies?
Third-party cookies are the bad ones because they follow you around the internet, track your history and then serve you ads based on what they think you want to buy.

So, should I clear my cookies to protect my privacy?
Your best bet is to check the privacy settings on your web browser. There you will find the option to specifically block third-party sites and data only.

Remember; keep the good cookies and delete the bad ones!

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