Why the cookies law wasn't fully baked – and how to avoid being tracked online

The UK uses the most tracking cookies of any EU country. How should you be protecting your privacy online?

The UK uses the most cookies of any EU country, according to a new report. Bad for waistlines if we were talking biscuits, but since we're talking online trackers, the threat is to web privacy.

Cookies are tiny pieces of text that websites leave on your computer, so they know who you are or where you go - most logins and online checkouts use cookies, but so too do behavioural advertising systems.

Related: 21 tips, tricks and shortcuts to help you stay anonymous online

Related: When the cookies crumbled, so did your web anonymity

Related: Third of Americans take precautions to protect web presence, Pew report finds