Make no mistake: you are being tracked.
Want to be shocked? Take a look at the secret map on your smartphone that watches all your movements. Touch or click here to see the map tracking you and clear it
What about ads that follow you across the web? Facebook is one of the biggest consumers of data. Tap or click to see ways to stop or limit targeted ads on Facebook.
And there are cookies, little pieces of data that track your online activity. They are not just lurking on your computer. On your smartphone, cookies save your passwords and help you log on faster, but they can also collect much more than you want.
Ask yourself: are cookies worth the cost?
When it comes to cookies, take a good look at your priorities. Do you prefer the convenience of a browser like Safari or Chrome or the privacy of a browser that doesn’t save cookies in the first place?
It’s a difficult balance to achieve, especially considering how cookies make our browsing experience convenient. They save your login information and control your preferences to show you the content that interests you, but, of course, this has the cost of your privacy.
It’s your choice. If you want to delete them, navigate to your smartphone’s settings. Scroll down to the list of applications. Find your browser and follow the instructions below.
By the way, you can get information like this right in your inbox. Sign up to receive my free newsletters.
1. Start with Safari
For Safari on an iPhone, follow these steps:
· Open Settings and tap Safari.
· Touch Clear site history and data. Apple will say, “Cleaning will remove history, cookies and other browsing data.”
· Then touch Clear.
2. Expel cookies from Chrome
If you’re a Chrome user, the process is a little different.
On an iPhone:
· Open the Chrome browser, tap the three dots in the lower right corner and choose Settings.
· Now tap Privacy and then Clear browsing data. Check Cookies, Site Data, but uncheck the other items.
· Then tap Clear browsing data and tap Done.
This is also a great way to check what data you want to clear. Note the option for cached images and files. Make sure this option is checked, tap Clear browsing data and confirm your choice.
For Chrome on Android, follow these steps:
· Open the Chrome app on your Android phone or tablet. Touch More to the right of the address bar.
· Click Settings.
· Touch Privacy and select Clear browsing data.
· To delete everything, select Always. If you want to delete cookies for a certain period, choose your time range at the top.
· Check the option Cookies, media licenses and website data.
· Then select Clear data and Clear.
3. Clean Firefox
Firefox creator Mozilla puts privacy at the forefront. This browser blocks tracking cookies by default.
There is a warning. Firefox allows first-party cookies, which are stored by the website you are visiting.
These cookies allow website owners to collect analytical data, remember their language settings, and so on to personalize their experience. If you want to eliminate them, here’s how.
On an iPhone:
· Open your browser and tap the three horizontal lines in the lower right corner. From there, tap Settings.
· Scroll down to the Privacy section. Click Data management.
· Touch Clear private data at the bottom.
· You will get a warning dialog. If you want to clear all selected data, tap OK.
Note: This will also clear the history of your synced devices.
If you use an Android, follow these steps:
· Touch Menu and Settings.
· From there, touch Privacy.
· Select Clean Now and a new window will appear.
· Touch Clear data.
4. Put your privacy in the spotlight with Opera
Here is 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 in the lower right corner.
· From there, click Settings. This will take you to a new window.
· Scroll down and select Clear browser data. You will then have the option to delete cookies and website data, clear your browsing history and even change your website settings.
· Touch Cookies and site data to delete all your cookies.
· You will see a new option at the top of the window emerge next to the Clear browser data header.
· Touch the Clear button.
For good measure, tap on Images and cached files to empty everything, slowing down your browser. Then, tap the Clear button.
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Learn about all the latest technologies at The Kim Komando Show, the country’s largest weekend radio talk show. Kim takes calls and gives advice on today’s digital lifestyle, from smartphones and tablets to online privacy and data hacks. For daily tips, free newsletters and more, visit their website at Komando.com.