Cookie browser options
Changing your browser cookie settings
The majority of web browsers allow you to see what cookies you have, and give you the option to accept, delete or block them.
On this page we give you the basics of how to change your setting in Chrome, Firefox, Internet Explorer and Safari and give you links to more detailed help.
Cookie options in browsers
Most browsers give you a range of options to help you manage your cookies. Each browser's settings are slightly different but typically you can.
- View your cookies
- Allow all cookies
- Delete all or individual cookies
- Delete all cookies when you close your browser
- Block third party cookies
If you decide to block third party cookies, while most will be the tracking cookies some might be adding useful functionality so it could impact on your browsing experience.
It is also important to know that if you set the option to delete all cookies when you close your browser any preferences, including any opt outs you have set will be deleted.
Instructions by browser
While there are differences across browser versions and operating systems such as Windows,Linux and Mac OS the instructions provide should help you find your cookie settings. For more in-depth advice we have provided links to more detailed instructions.
Google Chrome
- Click the wrench icon
on the browser toolbar. - Select Settings.
- Click the Under the Hood tab.
- Select Content settings in the "Privacy" section.
- Click the Cookies tab in the Content Settings dialog that appears
- Choose your preferred settings.
- Select the Close button when you've finished.
Google Chrome allows all cookies by default, but you can restrict the behaviour of first-party and third-party cookies or even block them completely.For more detailed help on changing settings see Manage Cookies in Chrome.
Firefox 3+ for Windows
- From the Tools menu select Options or in Linux from the Edit menu select Preferences.
- Select the Privacy tab.
- Select Cookies if the option is available otherwise select the option 'Use custom settings for history' from Firefox: drop down.
- Choose your preferred settings.
Firefox 3+ for Mac
- Choose Preferences from the Firefox menu or the Edit menu depending on which version you have.
- Select the Privacy tab.
- Select Cookies if the option is available otherwise select the option 'Use custom settings for history' from Firefox: drop down.
- Choose your preferred settings.
You can configure which sites are allowed to set cookies, how long to keep them for, and view and manage your existing cookies.For more detailed help on changing settings see
Enabling and disabling cookies in Firefox.
Internet Explorer 7+
- From the Tools menu choose Internet Options.
- Select the Privacy tab.
- Move the slider to choose your preferred setting between Block All Cookies and Accept All Cookies.
- For more detailed cookie settings click on Advanced, check the 'Override cookie handling' checkbox and modify the settings to your preference.
For more detailed instructions see
How to Set and Customize Cookies Settings in Internet Explorer.
Safari 4+
- From the Safari menu choose Preferences.
- Select the Privacy tab.
- Choose your preferred settings.
For more detailed instructions see Managing cookies in Safari.
Mobile browsers
Below are links for instructions for setting your cookie preferences in the most popular mobile phone browsers.
