Allow and block cookies

Cookies are small text files that are (temporarily) placed on the computer, tablet or smartphone by websites. They store certain data. Think of personal settings on a website (for example, you will remain logged in automatically if you have checked this), your click behavior (which internet pages are viewed on your device) or the contents of a shopping cart when shopping online. Cookies are not harmful, but in connection with privacy it is good to know what you do and do not give permission for.

There are different types of cookies. Roughly speaking, you can distinguish three groups:

1. Functional cookies
   These are used, for example, to stay logged in, to save the contents of a shopping cart or a language choice.
2. Analytical cookies
   These are used to keep track of the visit to a website in order to improve a website.
3. Tracking cookies (English: tracking cookies)
   These cookies map your surfing behaviour, so that, for example, personalized advertisements appear on pages you visit.

For the first two, a website does not have to request permission (provided privacy is not at stake with analytical cookies), but it does for tracking cookies. That is why you sometimes receive a cookie notification when you visit a website for the first time. By means of the notification you give or do not give permission. But it is good to know that you also gain insight into the cookies that are stored via the browser (the internet program). There you can also set which type of cookie may be placed on your device.

Read in the rest of this article how you can get a better grip on what will and will not be saved in the future via the most common browsers. Please note: if you block all cookies, some websites will (partly) not work. If you notice this, the setting can always be adjusted again.

Is your browser not listed? Then consult the help function of the browser.

In the latest version of Microsoft Edge (recognizable by the blue-green colored logo), do the following:

• Click the ‘Settings and more’ icon at the top right. Those are the three dots.
• click on Institutions.
• Click in the left menu Privacy and Services.
• To the right are three options under “Tracking Prevention.” This concerns the tracking cookies (also known as trackers). Choose Base, Balanced or Strict. For example, if you choose strict, a lot will be held back. If you notice that a certain reliable website does not work as desired, make an exception for that website.
  • Under ‘Track Prevention’, click Exceptions.
  • click on Add Website.
  • Click in the input box and type the web address, for example www.seniorweb.nl
  • click on Add.
  • If there is a website that you do not want to be an exception, click on the three dots behind the website > remove.
  • click on Privacy and Services to go back to settings.
• If necessary, click on the black and white slider to the right behind ‘Send Do Not Track Requests’.
• It is possible that a website tracks click behavior for functional purposes. A website decides for itself whether it will comply with your request. click on Send request.
• Optionally, click the blue slider behind “Allow sites to check if payment methods are saved” if you don’t want sites to check this when you make a payment.

If you’re still using an older version of Edge (recognizable by the blue logo), do the following:

• Click on the icon with the three dots at the top right.
• click on Institutions.
• Click in the menu on the left Privacy and Security.
• Click on the bar under the heading ‘Cookies’.
• A menu with three options expands. Click on one of the following options: Block all cookies, Only block third-party cookies or Do not block cookies.
• Outside the settings menu, click an empty spot in Edge to exit Settings.

Firefox takes privacy very seriously. With the default protection, the browser blocks a lot, with the exception of tracking cookies (only in private browsing). If you do not want to navigate in private mode by default, but also do not want tracking cookies, do the following:

• Click the ‘Menu’ icon at the top right. Those are the three horizontal lines.
• click on Options > Privacy & Security.
• click on Strict > Refresh all tabs.
• Do you notice that a website is not functioning properly (buttons, forms and registration fields may not work as well)? A purple shield icon on the left of the address bar indicates that elements are blocked. Click on the purple shield.
• Under ‘Blocked’ you can see what is being blocked. Click on it to unblock it.

Chrome offers an option to prevent ad personalization.

• Click the “Customize and manage Google Chrome” icon at the top right. Those are the three dots.
• click on Institutions.
• Click on the left Privacy and Security.
• Under ‘Privacy and Security’, click Site Settings.
• click on Cookies and Site Data.
• By default, the ‘Allow sites to save and read cookie data’ option is active. click on Cookies and Site Data to make adjustments.
• It’s good to leave ‘Allow sites to save and read cookie data’ on, because websites need functional cookies to work.
• click on Block indirect cookies so that advertisements are no longer personalized. Turn this option back on if you experience problems while surfing the Internet.
• Do you want cookies to be automatically deleted when you close your browser? Then click on the slider behind ‘Clear cookies and site data when you close Chrome’ so that it turns blue. Please note: saved login details will also disappear.

Chrome offers an option to prevent ad personalization.

• Tap the icon with three dots in the top right.
• Tap on Institutions.
• Scroll down and tap Site Settings.
• Tap on Cookies.
• By default, the ‘Allow sites to save and read cookie data’ option is active. It is good to leave ‘Allow sites to store and read data’ as websites require functional cookies to work.
• Tap on Block indirect cookies so that advertisements are no longer personalized. Turn this option back on if you experience problems while surfing the Internet.

Access the Safari browser cookie settings as follows:

• Click Safari in the top left of the menu bar.
• click on Preferences.
• Click on the tab Privacy.
• Check if there is a checkmark in front of Avoid being tracked by linked sites. If the check mark is not there, click on it.
• By default there is no check mark Block all cookies. If you check this box, websites may not work properly.
• Choose whether to use the ‘Apple Pay and Apple Card’ option. If there’s a checkmark, Apple Pay will be offered automatically if you’ve enabled it.
• Click on the red dot in the top left of the window to close the window.

You can manage the cookie settings of the Safari browser in the Settings app.

• Open the Settings app.
• Tap on Safari.
• Scroll to ‘Privacy and Security’. Check whether the slider behind ‘Prevent tracking’ is green. If not, tap it.
• The slider behind ‘Block all cookies’ is gray by default. If you also make this green, websites may not work properly.
• Choose whether to use the ‘Check for Apple Pay’ option. If the slider is green, Apple Pay is offered automatically if you have enabled it. If the slider is grey, you must fill it in yourself.

Already stored cookies can be completely removed from your device. Read more about this in the article ‘Deleting cookies’. Please note: if you delete cookies, stored data such as your login name or items that were in the shopping cart will also be deleted