How to protect your privacy
The most effective way to protect yourself from cookies is to take action yourself. Most browsers have features that allow you to disable or avoid tracking cookies, giving you the ability to choose a balance between privacy and features.
Incognito / Privacy Mode
Most browsers have a private browsing mode that prevents the browser from storing your browsing data. While in private mode, the browser will allow websites to store cookies on your computer while the browser is open. When you close the browser, it will automatically delete all cookies. Private browsing mode is a good idea if you want to take advantage of websites using cookies, but do not want those cookies to track you after a browsing session has ended. The downside of using incognito mode is that you will have to re-login every browsing session.
Disable cookies
All browsers allow you to block cookies to a certain degree. Some browsers only allow you to block either all cookies or no cookies, but some browsers let you block any combination of first-party, third party, and session cookies.
These settings can provide a long-term solution to your personal cookie privacy needs. There is a risk, though, that if your settings are too restrictive, you will be blocked from logging into certain websites.
These settings can provide a long-term solution to your personal cookie privacy needs. There is a risk, though, that if your settings are too restrictive, you will be blocked from logging into certain websites.
Manually erase cookies
You can also manually erase cookies after every browsing session. This option is usually under the browser's history settings. Remembering to erase cookies periodically takes some effort, but it might provide just the right amount of privacy while maintaining all website features.
References
Image credits: http://img.technostreak.com/2011/05/incognito-window-google-chrome.jpg
http://picchore.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/delete-cookies-comic.jpg
http://picchore.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/delete-cookies-comic.jpg