🧠 Overview

Smartphones store cookies — small data files that remember your browsing habits, login info, and preferences. While they improve convenience, they can also pose privacy and security risks if not managed properly.

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🔒 Why You Should Clear Cookies

1. Protect privacy – Prevent third parties and advertisers from tracking your activity.

2. Improve performance – Free up storage and processing power.

3. Reduce targeted ads – Avoid being profiled based on browsing behavior.

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💡 Types of Cookies

• Session cookies: Temporary; deleted after closing the browser.

• Persistent cookies: Stay on your device until deleted manually or after expiry.

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⚠️ Risks of Accumulated Cookies

• Enable third-party tracking and targeted advertising.

• Could be exploited by hackers.

• May slow down your device over time.

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📱 How to Clear Cookies

iOS (Safari):

1. Go to Settings → Safari.

2. Tap Clear History and Website Data.

3. Confirm Clear History and Data.

Android (Chrome):

1. Open Chrome → Menu → Settings.

2. Go to Privacy and Security → Clear browsing data.

3. Select Cookies and site data → Clear data.

(Similar steps apply for Firefox or Samsung Internet.)

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🧰 Extra Privacy Tips

• Use privacy-focused browsers like Brave or DuckDuckGo.

• Adjust app and social media privacy settings.

• Use a VPN to encrypt connections.

• Keep devices and apps updated.

• Consider trusted privacy tools or antivirus apps.

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🔁 How Often to Clear Cookies

• Privacy-conscious users: Weekly.

• Average users: Monthly.

• Shared/public devices: Immediately after use.

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✅ Conclusion

Regularly clearing cookies is a simple but powerful step to protect your data, improve performance, and ensure a safer digital experience.