What You Need to Know
Necessary cookies keep a site working. Everything else is measurement and advertising, and can be declined without breaking your experience.
Why It Matters
Accepting everything by reflex builds a cross-site profile of your browsing that you never see and cannot easily correct.
Warning Signs checklist
- Banners where rejecting takes more clicks than accepting
- Vague language about partners and legitimate interest
- Hundreds of listed advertising vendors
- Reappearing banners after every visit
How to Protect Yourself steps
- 1Choose reject or necessary only when offered
- 2Open preferences and turn off advertising categories
- 3Clear cookies periodically
- 4Use private windows for sensitive browsing
Quick Checklist
- Choose reject or necessary only when offered
- Open preferences and turn off advertising categories
- Clear cookies periodically
- Use private windows for sensitive browsing
Helpful Resources
- The Curiosity EditLong-form essays on cyber, AI, and everyday technology.
- Career GalaxyDiscover the careers built around this exact problem.
- Government resourcesOfficial reporting and recovery links, being verified before we publish them.
- Trusted nonprofitsCommunity partners offering free education and support, list in progress.
Follow the Rabbit Hole