Auto History WipeHow to Stop Websites From Tracking You
Written by Jem Jack · Published September 11, 2026
Every click you make is potentially logged, linked and sold. The good news is that you can stop websites tracking you so aggressively with a handful of settings and habits — no technical skills required. This guide walks through how tracking works and the practical steps that actually cut it down.
How websites track you
Tracking comes from a few sources working together: third-party cookies dropped by ad networks, browser fingerprinting that IDs your device, and your IP address that hints at your location. The trick is to tackle each layer rather than relying on any single fix.
The quickest wins
Start with the settings that cut the most tracking for the least effort:
- Block third-party cookies in your browser settings.
- Turn on tracking protection (Enhanced Tracking Protection in Firefox, Tracking Prevention in Edge).
- Clear cookies and history regularly so past activity can’t be linked to new sessions.
Match the defence to the tracker
| Tracking method | Best defence |
|---|---|
| Third-party cookies | Block them + clear cookies regularly |
| Fingerprinting | Anti-fingerprinting browser/settings |
| IP address | A VPN or private DNS |
| Ad & social widgets | A content blocker |
Browser settings that help
Most browsers now ship with real anti-tracking tools built in. In Firefox, enable Enhanced Tracking Protection (Strict). In Edge, set Tracking prevention to Strict. In Chrome, block third-party cookies and review site permissions. These take two minutes and cut a surprising amount of tracking.
Keep your trail clean automatically
Settings reduce new tracking; clearing your data removes the trail already left behind. Auto History Wipe clears history, cookies and cache automatically, so trackers have far less to connect. Pair it with the settings above and see how fingerprinting still works even without cookies.
How to stop websites tracking you on your phone
Desktop isn’t the only place you’re followed — mobile browsing is tracked just as heavily, and the controls are a little different. On Safari for iPhone, Intelligent Tracking Prevention is on by default, and “Ask app not to track” under Privacy stops apps sharing your activity. On Chrome for Android, block third-party cookies and review the privacy menu. Whatever the device, the same three habits apply: block third-party cookies, keep tracking protection switched on, and clear your data regularly so nothing links one session to the next. Because phones travel everywhere with you, the location and app signals they leak make mobile privacy at least as important as anything you do on a laptop — arguably more so, since it’s the device you carry all day.
Frequently asked questions
Can I completely stop websites tracking me?
Not 100% — some fingerprinting always slips through. But blocking third-party cookies, using tracking protection and clearing your data regularly removes the vast majority of everyday tracking.
Does a VPN stop websites tracking me?
A VPN hides your IP address from sites, which is one layer. It doesn’t stop cookies or fingerprinting, so combine it with browser settings and regular clean-ups.
Does clearing cookies help stop tracking?
Yes. Clearing cookies breaks the link between your past and future sessions, so profiles built on you get reset each time.
Do private browsing windows stop tracking?
Not really. A private window clears local traces when you close it, but sites can still track you during the session through fingerprinting and your IP address. Combine it with cookie blocking and tracking protection for real gains.
You can’t vanish entirely, but you can absolutely stop websites tracking you at the scale they’d like to. Tighten a few settings, add one automatic clean-up habit, and you take back most of your privacy.