This site will have limited functionality while we undergo maintenance to improve your experience. If an article doesn't solve your issue and you want to ask a question, we have our support community waiting to help you at @FirefoxSupport on Twitter and/r/firefox on Reddit.

Avatar for Username

Search Support

Avoid support scams. We will never ask you to call or text a phone number or share personal information. Please report suspicious activity using the “Report Abuse” option.

Learn More

This thread was archived. Please ask a new question if you need help.

Should I clear browser cookies or log out manually if I want to log out of all accounts?

  • 2 replies
  • 1 has this problem
  • 1 view
  • Last reply by cor-el

wmchung9
wmchung9
more options

I know that clearing browser cookie regularly is a good practice, but I am a bit curious if clearing out those session cookies is the same as if you log out of all the accounts manually.

Because logging out manually will make both local and server side session cookies invalid, thus log out safely.

Meanwhile clearing browser cookies only delete local side session cookie, while the session cookie on the server remains. Which means the session is still valid.

So do I clear browser cookies or log out manually if I want to log out of all accounts?

I know that clearing browser cookie regularly is a good practice, but I am a bit curious if clearing out those session cookies is the same as if you log out of all the accounts manually. Because logging out manually will make both local and server side session cookies invalid, thus log out safely. Meanwhile clearing browser cookies only delete local side session cookie, while the session cookie on the server remains. Which means the session is still valid. So do I clear browser cookies or log out manually if I want to log out of all accounts?

Modified by wmchung9

Chosen solution

If you do not logout but only clear the cookies then the website still stores your session ID, so best is to logout to ensure that the session ID is cleared as well and can't be reused.

Read this answer in context 👍 1

All Replies (2)

FredMcD
FredMcD
more options

If you are talking about websites that save your personal information (banks, stores . . .) we recommend logging out. Other sites that do not save your personal information (Mozilla, Youtube . . .) you don't need to log out of unless you want to.


Type about:preferences#privacy<enter> in the address bar. The button next to History, select Use Custom Settings.

Turn on Remember My Browsing And Download History At the bottom of the page, turn on Clear History When Firefox Closes. At the far right, press the Settings button. Turn on Cache and Form And Search History and whatever else you want.

cor-el
cor-el
  • Moderator
  • Top 10 Contributor
more options

Chosen Solution

If you do not logout but only clear the cookies then the website still stores your session ID, so best is to logout to ensure that the session ID is cleared as well and can't be reused.