Browser security·29 questions

How to configure third-party cookie blocking and protect against cross-site tracking?

Answer

Cookies have long been used not only for authorization on websites, but also for large-scale user tracking across various resources. Third-party cookies allow advertising networks to collect a detailed dossier of your interests, forming a digital profile without your direct consent.

To protect privacy, modern browsers are implementing tools for automatic blocking of third-party tracking. To configure this protection, you need to go to your browser's security and privacy settings, find the section dedicated to cookies and site data, and select the third-party file blocking option.

Open the browser settings menu and go to the privacy section.
Find the subsection that manages cookies and site data.
Set the checkbox or toggle switch to block third-party cookies in normal mode or select enhanced protection mode.
Add trusted resources whose correct operation critically depends on third-party cookies to the exception lists.

After enabling this feature, advertising trackers will lose the ability to link your activity across different sites into a single chain. This significantly reduces the likelihood of targeted attacks and annoying retargeting, where products begin to follow you on completely unrelated resources.

It is worth considering that completely blocking third-party cookies may disrupt the operation of some web applications, such as social media authorization widgets or payment systems. In such cases, the browser allows you to set exceptions for specific sites, striking a balance between strict privacy and internet usability.

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