If you’ve ever searched for something once and then seen ads for it everywhere, you’re not imagining things. That’s online tracking in action.
Most people think tracking is only about cookies, but in 2026 it’s bigger than that. Websites and apps use trackers, advertising cookies, and other techniques to learn what you do online, build a profile about you, and show you targeted ads.
The good news: you don’t need to be a tech expert to reduce tracking. In this guide, you’ll learn what trackers are, how cookies work and the simplest ways to control your cookie settings and start protecting your privacy information online.
If you want a simple offline layer of privacy too, you can explore Spy-Fy’s analog privacy products here
What are trackers (and why do they matter)?
A tracker is a piece of technology used to collect information about what you do online. Trackers can be used for analytics, personalization, and advertising. They can also be used to build detailed profiles that are shared with third parties.
Common types of trackers include:
- Tracking cookies (including 3rd party cookies)
- Tracking pixels (tiny invisible images that report activity)
- Scripts (code that collects behavior data)
- Fingerprinting (a method that identifies you by your device and browser settings)
Many websites rely on tracking to make money, especially through ads. But the trade-off is that your behavior can be collected, stored, and sometimes shared more widely than you expect.
Cookies explained: what they do and what they don’t
Cookies are small text files that websites save in your browser. They help sites remember your preferences, keep you logged in, and (sometimes) track what you do.
Here’s the important part: not all cookies are bad.
Some cookies are useful, like remembering what’s in your shopping cart. Others are designed for tracking, like advertising cookies that follow you across different websites.
First-party vs 3rd party cookies (quick and simple)
First-party cookies
These are created by the site you’re visiting. They can be used for login sessions, settings, and sometimes basic analytics.
3rd party cookies
These are created by another company (often an ad network) and can track you across multiple sites. This is one reason people feel like “the internet is watching them.”
What is a cookie banner (and what should you click)?
A cookie banner is that pop-up asking you to accept cookies when you visit a site.
Some banners are helpful and clear. Others are confusing on purpose. Many people click “Accept all” just to make it go away, which can allow advertising cookies and 3rd party cookies to be placed immediately.
A practical rule:
- If you’re unsure, click “Reject all” (if available)
- Or choose “Customize” and disable advertising and 3rd party options
This is one of the simplest changes you can make without breaking a website.
Cookies where stored: where do cookies live on your device?
This is a common question, and it matters for privacy. Cookies are stored inside your browser’s local storage area. That means they are saved on your device (computer or phone) in a browser-specific folder or database.
So when people ask, “where are cookies stored?” the simplest answer is:
They’re stored locally in your browser, and each browser controls them separately. That’s also why clearing cookies in Chrome won’t automatically clear cookies in Safari or Firefox.
How do I check cookies in my browser?
If you’ve ever asked “how do I check cookies?” you’re already thinking like a privacy-aware user. Most browsers let you view cookies per website. You can usually find this under:
Settings → Privacy / Security → Cookies and site data
Many browsers also let you search for a specific site and remove only those cookies, instead of deleting everything. This is useful when you want to reduce tracking but keep your saved logins. For deeper visibility into tracking, privacy tools like Ghostery can show you which trackers are loading on a page.
How to clear cookies on computer (and why clearing cache matters too)
If you want a fresh start, you’ll want to clear both cookies and cache.
Cookies store identifiers and preferences. Cache stores saved files like images and scripts so websites load faster. That’s why many people search for “clear cache” when they notice weird behavior or want more privacy.
Here’s the simple version:
- Clear cookies if you want to remove tracking identifiers
- Clear cache if you want to remove stored website files (and fix loading issues)
Most browsers let you do this here:
Settings → Privacy → Clear browsing data
This is also where you’ll usually find “how to clear cookies on computer” instructions, because the process is browser-based (not device-based).
Can you be tracked without cookies? Yes.
Even if you block cookies, tracking can still happen.
Websites may use:
- Fingerprinting (based on your browser and device features)
- Login-based tracking (when you’re signed into a platform)
- Tracking pixels in emails
- App-based identifiers on mobile devices
This is why modern privacy is about reducing exposure across multiple layers, not just cookie banners.
Cookie settings: the most effective changes you can make today
If you want the best “effort vs impact” steps, start here. These are practical actions recommended across privacy resources and tracker-blocking guides.
1) Block 3rd party cookies
In most browsers, you can block 3rd party cookies with one toggle. This reduces cross-site tracking without breaking most sites.
2) Limit advertising cookies
Some browsers label these as “tracking cookies” or “advertising cookies.” Disable these where possible.
3) Use private browsing wisely
Private mode can reduce local storage, but it does not make you invisible. It mainly stops your browser from saving history and cookies after the session.
4) Add a tracker blocker
Tools like Ghostery focus specifically on trackers and can help reduce invisible tracking scripts.
5) Review app permissions
On mobile, tracking often happens through apps.
Check which apps have access to:
- Location
- Contacts
- Camera and microphone
- Advertising identifiers
