Many websites use “persistent cookie” technology. A persistent cookie is a small text file that this website places on your web browser so that it can collect anonymous summary demographic information, and remember your browser when it is used to visit our site again later—kind of like cookie crumbs! (Hence the name.) These cookies uniquely identify a browser on a computer, but never a person. In other words, if the same person utilizes Chrome and Internet Explorer, two unique browser cookies will be assigned, one for each browser, so that person well be counted as two different guests because visits are based on browsers, not computers or persons. Most Internet browsers automatically accept persistent cookies. Although utilizing persistent cookies generates a much better experience for you while visiting the site, most sites will also work without them. If you don’t want to accept cookies, you can edit your browser’s options to stop accepting persistent cookies or to prompt you before accepting a cookie from the websites you visit. Below you’ll find directions to help you disable cookies in some of the more popular desktop browsers and mobile browsers.
Important: If you choose to set your browser to reject cookies from every website you visit, this is likely to adversely affect the functionality of non-government websites you visit.
Changing Cookies Settings in Popular Desktop Browsers
Firefox Version 3.5 or Later
In the “Tools” menu, select “Options”
Under the “Firefox will:” dropdown, select “Use custom settings for history”
Uncheck the “Accept Cookies from Sites” box to block all cookies Or
Click the “Exceptions” button to enter specific websites that you wish to allow/disallow to set cookies
Internet Explorer version 6 or later
In the “Tools” menu, select “Internet Options”
Click the “Privacy” tab
Move the “Settings” slider up or down to adjust your cookie acceptance settings (moving the slider all the way to the top will block all cookies) Or
Click the “Sites” button to enter specific websites that you wish to allow/disallow to set cookies
Safari version 4 or later
Click the geared wheel icon in the top right of your browser window.
Select “Preferences”
Select the “Security” tab
Under “Accept Cookies:”, click the “Never” option to block all cookies
Chrome version 4 or later
Click the wrench icon in the top right of your browser window
Select “Options”
Click the “Under the Hood” tab
Click the “Content Settings” button
Click the option to “Block sites from setting any data” to block all cookies Or
Click the “Exceptions” button to enter specific websites that you wish to allow/disallow to set cookies
Disabling cookies in popular mobile browsers
Mobile Safari
From your home screen on your iPhone or iPad, click “Settings”
Click on “Safari”
Click on “Accept Cookies”
Select “Never” to block all cookies
Opera Mini on a Blackberry device
From within the Opera Mini browser, press the menu key.
Scroll down to access the drop down menu of options
Select “Settings”
Select “Privacy”
Change the “Accept cookies” option to “Off” to block all cookies
Android Browser
From within the Android browser, hit the menu key.
Select “More”
Select “Settings”
Uncheck the “Accept Cookies” option to block all cookies
Disabling Google Demographic and Interest Reports
Many sites also use Google Demographic and Interest reports to gather anonymous summary demographic information about website visitors such as gender, age range, and areas of interest for adults over the age of 18. You can prevent your data from being collected and used by Google Analytics by installing the Google Analytics opt-out browser add-on.
Disabling AddThis Targeting Cookie
Many sites use AddThis to enable easy content sharing. AddThis collects non-personally identifiable information, and uses the information to deliver targeted advertising and personalized content. You can prevent your data from being collected and used by AddThis, by opting-out of AddThis targeted advertising.
