How Do You Manage Cookies While Browsing the Web?

Virtually no website experience these days is complete without cookies — those little pop-ups that ask you to accept terms before you can read an article, shop online, or watch a video. But how many of us actually manage those cookies, and what does that mean for our privacy online?

According to the 2025 Bitdefender Consumer Cybersecurity Survey, most internet users make cookie decisions with convenience in mind, even as the data those cookies track becomes increasingly valuable to advertisers – and potentially exploitable by bad actors.

In the section titled “Convenience Kills Security,” one statistic stands out: 48% of consumers accept all cookies without reviewing the notice, and 75% either skim or entirely ignore cookie terms, just to access content faster.

Source: Bitdefender 2025 Consumer Cybersecurity Survey

In other words, most people are “opt-in by default” — not because they understand what they’re agreeing to, but simply because clicking “accept” is the quickest way to get to their content.

Scam victims are more complacent

Our survey also shows that scam victims were much more likely to accept all cookies (60%) than non-victims (46%). As we note in the report:

These seemingly minor lapses — comparable to clicking on links in spam emails — add up quickly. Ironically, while consumers fear financial loss above all else, it’s their own shortcuts that fuel the very risks they want to avoid.

Younger generations are the most likely to blindly accept, while older groups at least try to manage settings.

Source: Bitdefender 2025 Consumer Cybersecurity Survey

This also supports findings from another section in our report (Social Media — Scam Central) which reveals that younger consumers are twice as likely to be scammed than their older counterparts.

Source: Bitdefender 2025 Consumer Cybersecurity Survey

This trend shows how convenience often outweighs caution online — even as privacy concerns grow and regulators attempt to give users more control.

Cookies aren’t inherently evil. Some — like those that recall your language preference, keep you logged in, or remember what’s in your shopping cart — are genuinely useful. But many cookies collect data about your browsing behavior, interests, location, and even cross-site patterns that can build detailed profiles about you over time (fingerprinting).

Read: Your Device ‘Fingerprint’ Will Go to Advertisers Starting February 2025

These data points can be used for targeted advertising, content personalization, or analytics — but third parties can also abuse them without your knowledge. Scammers and trackers don’t have your best interests in mind, and in an era of AI-driven profiling, the more detail that’s collected, the greater the potential for misuse.

Read: What Is a Device ‘Fingerprint’ and Why Do Hackers Want Yours So Badly?

Many users are trading awareness for speed: accepting all cookies is quicker, but often relinquishes meaningful privacy control.

A regulatory nudge — the ICO’s big push

Some governments are stepping in to shift the balance back toward user choice. In one recent initiative, the UK’s Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) evaluated cookie consent practices across the top 1,000 most-visited websites in the country and found that most sites now comply with consent requirements.

Under this action, more than 95% of those sites now ensure that non-essential cookies (like trackers for advertising) are only set after users explicitly choose to accept them. They also make sure that rejecting cookies is just as easy as accepting them.

Read: Accept All Cookies? ICO Prompts Top UK Websites to Make It Clear What Data They Collect from Users

This shift is important because it helps reinforce the legal requirement that consent should be informed and freely given, not buried behind confusing wording or “dark patterns” that push people toward acceptance.

But as our report reveals, even compliant websites aren’t enough on their own — users must engage with the choices presented to them. Cookie management sits right at the intersection of convenience and privacy — and for many, convenience wins by default. Simply hitting “Accept All” defaults you into broader data collection, even when your rights are better protected by law. So, how should you manage cookies?

How should I manage cookies? (advice for consumers)

If you want more control of your online footprint and to balance privacy with convenience, here are some practical tips:

Review cookie banners thoughtfully

Don’t automatically click Accept All. Look for options like Manage Preferences or Reject Non-Essential Cookies. That way you can opt out of third-party tracking while still using the site.

Tip: Some cookie banners let you toggle categories — only accept the ones you need for functionality.

Use browser privacy settings

Most modern browsers let you block third-party cookies or send “Do Not Track” signals. Adjust these settings to reduce unwanted tracking.

Clear cookies regularly

If you accept cookies for convenience today, consider clearing them periodically so trackers don’t persist indefinitely.

Use privacy tools

Browser extensions or privacy-focused browsers can automatically block known trackers, giving you a cleaner browsing experience without constant pop-ups. Use Bitdefender Premium VPN and say goodbye to tracked clicks and logged activities, and block even the best-disguised privacy-breach attempts. Bitdefender Total Security also blocks third-party data tracking and prevents unauthorized access to your microphone or webcam.

Educate yourself

Understanding how cookies work and what data they collect helps you make more informed decisions. Awareness is the first step toward privacy. Next time you see a cookie banner, pause for a moment. A thoughtful choice now could mean less tracking — and more privacy — in the long run.

You may also want to read:

Why Don’t You Use a Mobile Security App? We Ask Netizens

What Scares You Most About AI? We Ask Netizens

What Scares People Most About Hackers? We Asked Netizens