What is cookies.sqlite? Should I remove it?

Cookies.sqlite is the piece of cookie storage for Mozilla Firefox browser

cookies.sqlite is a legitimate Mozilla Firefox data file that stores cookies in the Firefox profile folder. A cookie is a small piece of information that is sent by visited websites and stored on the user's computer. Thus, this file might include information related to login details, session data, and preferences, such as your language or location.

This “shared memory” file is created by the search engine every time the user starts browsing and deletes automatically, as soon as the browser is closed. cookies.sqlite is used for the temporary storage of cookie updates and helps keep people logged into a particular website, authenticating them, and similar activities.

What is more, this file might also store personally identifiable information, such as your name and surname, address, telephone number, etc. However, the collection of this data might lead to various privacy-related issues. For this reason, some computer users tend to clean this file after each browsing session. 

Name cookies.sqlite
Type Temporary cookie storing file
Related Browser Mozilla Firefox
Purpose It journals cookies
Safe to remove? It is safe to eliminate the file it is not deleted automatically. It shouldn't corrupt any activities on the PC or the browser. Unless it is related to malware
Fix The system can be improved when some files get repaired and processes fixed, so run FortectIntego. If the file-related issue occurs again – run an anti-malware application to clear infections too

When Firefox works with SQLite databases like cookies.sqlite, it creates temporary files like cookies.sqlite-wal and cookies.sqlite-shm. When you exit Firefox, it should reconcile and remove the two temporary files. But it doesn't happen every time. Firefox may be encountering some problem working with this journaling file and other temporary files, like a file permissions problem or a file lock. If the temporary files are still there after the browser closes – you can delete them.

Just like any other legitimate file, cookies.sqlite file can also be involved in malicious activity. Remember that any malware can be named anything, so this file may also be “borrowed” to prevent its removal from the system. It may be used for degrading the system's performance and damaging it, infecting files, corrupting installed software, and violating user's privacy if it belongs to a parasite. In this case, cookies.sqlite removal is necessary. However, you should not rush deleting this file. Firstly, you need to diagnose this file and make sure whether it’s a safe file or not.

You can delete those cookies.sqlite files if needed because ut not going to cause any damage. It may come up to a big size and take up space to annoy users, but removing the file is not causing any damage to your OS. It only can lead to some log out of some accounts or pages automatically since it removes cookies and saved passwords.

Various files end up on the system silently and cause issues

As you already know, a cookie storage file is a legitimate component of the Mozilla Firefox web browser. Thus, when you install Mozilla on your PC, this file is created on the system. However, we have briefly mentioned that this file might also be involved in a particular malicious activity.

Malware might use the name of the legitimate files to trick security tools and get inside the system unnoticed. In this case, the file might end up after clicking a malicious email attachment, downloading bogus software, updates or infected files, browsing through insecure content, etc.

Make sure to keep your attention to details and senders of emails, things like sites and pages you randomly end up visiting. Always be cautious because it is better to be safe than sorry.

It is possible to remove cookies.sqlite

Do not go straight to the option that allows you to remove cookies.sqlite from the PC. This file is crucial for storing cookies. You can empty the main folder and prevent cookies from tracking you by following these steps: Click Tools -> Options -> Security -> Web Content tab -> Show Cookies.

Additionally, if you noticed some suspicious activities on your computer and suspected that this file might be related to malware, you should use professional tools to diagnose it. To thoroughly examine this file and make sure that it's a safe file, we recommend using SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner or Malwarebytes for malware elimination.

If you discover that it is a malicious file, you should opt for automatic cookies.sqlite removal instead of deleting this single file. If this file belongs to malware, other malicious components might also be residing on the system. Though, you must get rid of all of them with the help of reputable malware removal tools. Also, keep the machine optimized with system tools like FortectIntego to keep all the OS files completed.

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What to do if failed?
If you failed to fix virus damage using Fortect Intego, submit a question to our support team and provide as much details as possible.
Fortect Intego has a free limited scanner. Fortect Intego offers more through scan when you purchase its full version. When free scanner detects issues, you can fix them using free manual repairs or you can decide to purchase the full version in order to fix them automatically.
Alternative Software
Different software has a different purpose. If you didn’t succeed in fixing corrupted files with Fortect, try running SpyHunter 5.
Alternative Software
Different software has a different purpose. If you didn’t succeed in fixing corrupted files with Intego, try running Combo Cleaner.
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Ugnius Kiguolis
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