Manage the data being tracked by your Browser
Your browser is tracking what you do online. There are ways to manage the type and amount of information that is tracked and shared through your web browser.
You can limit the data tracked through your web browser by using a safe browser, such as Duck Duck Go or Brave. Some browsers can be modified through settings or add-ons that make them more secure.
Some browsers offer a safer surfing option, such as Icognito (Chrome), a Private Window (Safari), an InPrivate Window (Edge), or Private Browsing (Firefox). Private browsing does limit data stored on your computer, like cookies and your browser history. It's not 100% private, though. Your IP address is still being shared with every website you visit, including the ads that may be tracking you on those websites. Your Internet Service Provider (ISP) can also view your web browsing activity even when you are in private mode.
Disable or don't accept cookies. Cookies are helpful when they remember your login information or if you shop on certain websites often. Some people may not want to share so much information. There are many websites that now let users opt in or out of cookies. Some can allow limited cookies. Others allow you to opt out altogether. It can be important to help older adults understand how to opt out of cookies if they want to.
How you use cookies can be adjusted in the settings of most browsers. Check out this helpful article from WikiHow for more on disabling cookies in popular browsers.
You can also clear the cookies and other web browsing data that has been stored on your computer. Some of the other data you can clear includes your browsing history and something called your cache. Think of cache as a small library that remembers certain things, like images on a website. When they're stored on your computer, web pages you visit more than once can be loaded faster.
It may be helpful to develop guidance for older adults on how to manage cookies, their browsing history, and cache. Check the support pages linked below for different browsers for step-by-step directions on how to manage this data.
Chrome | Safari | Edge | Firefox
Block pop-up windows, plug-ins, and malicious sites. Your browser can do some of this for you. Some browsers may need add-on software to do this.
Limit the information you share online. That quiz or game you're playing can be capturing your data. Teach older adults to be careful about what they share online. They can investigate the terms and conditions for websites to find out what information is being tracked and how their data is being used.
A handout on how to adjust the settings of web browsers, such as limiting cookies or clearing your cache or browsing history, is another possible topic for a one pager you might create at the end of this module.