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Previous searches stored in cookies persist on sites, even after clearing cookies.

cookieMonster_123
cookieMonster_123
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I have been using firefox in private mode ONLY for months now. My privacy settings were set to "custom" with cross-site cookies blocked, tracking content blocked, cryptominers blocked, fingerprinters blocked, in ALL windows.

I have no history, it's automatically deleted. But I have two problems:

1 - On certain sites, you can guess which, my search history is preserved on the site. When I click the search box, it suggests the many things I've searched previously. This even happens when on VPN. I inspect the element and can trace it to see it is stored in some form of cookies. I clear cookies, reset the browser, and it's STILL there!

2 - I have history disabled for a reason. Yet, I still can click the history tab and see "recently closed tabs". That defeats the purpose of disabling history.

I have been using firefox in private mode ONLY for months now. My privacy settings were set to "custom" with cross-site cookies blocked, tracking content blocked, cryptominers blocked, fingerprinters blocked, in ALL windows. I have no history, it's automatically deleted. But I have two problems: 1 - On certain sites, you can guess which, my search history is preserved on the site. When I click the search box, it suggests the many things I've searched previously. This even happens when on VPN. I inspect the element and can trace it to see it is stored in some form of cookies. I clear cookies, reset the browser, and it's STILL there! 2 - I have history disabled for a reason. Yet, I still can click the history tab and see "recently closed tabs". That defeats the purpose of disabling history.

All Replies (2)

cor-el
cor-el
  • Moderator
  • Top 10 Contributor
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Such data isn't stored in a cookie.

Do you have search and form data enabled in "Settings -> Privacy & Security" ?

Note that you also can clear "Form & Search" data via "Clear history when Firefox closes".

cookieMonster_123
cookieMonster_123 Question owner
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It certainly is stored in a cookie, which does not clear when cleared via settings. Image below from inspect element: