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

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  • Last reply by cor-el

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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.

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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.

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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.