Does CCleaner give details about where it finds this data?

CCleaner might be looking in files like SiteSecurityServiceState.txt that store HSTS data. It is possible that Firefox only clears databases, but leaves the files with no actual data.

Ccleaner looks through & "Cleans"/deletes,.....Internet History, Internet Cache, Cookies,Download history, Download location, Temporary Internet Files, Index.dat files, Recent Documents, Memory Dumps, etc.

The "Files" are not destroyed /deleted, ... what is found in them is.

Since Firefox is stating that it's "Blocking All Trackers" when I select "Strict", as well as “Do Not Track”, ..... Why am I consistently finding a large number of "Trackers" via Ccleaner?

Another "Odd Thing", ... I just posted the above at 8:30AM Est, & the post shows 5:30AM.

So I think you are misunderstanding some terminology that CCleaner is using to scare you.

The trackers that Firefox blocks are third-party cookies (you are on website A, Firefox blocks cookies from Website B).

CCleaner is calling ALL cookies Trackers, even those from website A (which aren't necessarily trackers, cookies are used to store your state on a website, logins, etc.).

Is CCleaner actually deleting these things from Firefox? Or is it deleting them from other browsers?

One last thing, we generally advise against using ccleaner to edit Firefox's profile, it can delete things that you don't want it to delete.

I also use Noscript & Ghostery, which I obtained from the Mozilla/Firefox site.

I practically shut down all Cookies, Java, etc., when I'm on the Net.

I have the Strictest settings for Firefox, & even selected "delete all at end of session", but, .... When closing down Firefox, reaching the Desktop, & then going back to Firefox & Options, ..... Firefox still showed that "Cookies" & History were still there,... And they showed up when Ccleaner was activated.

  That's when I began to Manually delete that data under the "Options Menu". 

 Yet, .... Ccleaner, keeps telling me that there are "Trackers"/Cookies present., even with Firefox at the strictest Settings, as well as Ghostery & NoScript.  

CCleaner, shows Microsoft Edge, & Internet Explorer, which has Puzzled me for a long time, for I'm not knowingly using them, & it also shows Windows Explorer, ... But nothing is showing as "Firefox"

Firefox, is also listed as My "Default Browser".

Hi DavidDeBord, I also use CCleaner and another cleanup utility. I noticed that when I run a Registry scan with CCleaner it may find some invalid registry entries. When I then run a registry scan with the other utility, it finds additional invalid registry entries. When I re-run the scan with CCleaner those additional entries show up. In other words, CCleaner is finding cookies, temp files, etc. which were deleted by Firefox. Note also that they are in a folder called \doomed.

Hi DavidDeBord, I want to clarify this comment:

cor-el said

CCleaner might be looking in files like SiteSecurityServiceState.txt that store HSTS data.

In past threads where CCleaner found "cookies" that Firefox does not show, it was because CCleaner characterizes the bits in the SiteSecurityServiceState.txt file -- which stores HTTPS connection flags -- as cookies. The rationale for this is a theoretical concern that, as far as I know, is not used in the real world.

As a test, after exiting Firefox, and before checking with CCleaner, try deleting that file. (Firefox will start a new one in your next session.) You can find it in your profile folder: Profiles - Where Firefox stores your bookmarks, passwords and other user data.

More details in this April 2018 thread: I allow NO cookies, yet cookies (both 1st & 3rd party) are still being set.

Are there any unexplained "cookies" after that?

Hi DavidDeBord, Check out this article by Martin Brinkmann about Web Storage: How to clear Web Storage in your browser of choice and take a closer look at what CCleaner does.

jscher2000 said

Hi DavidDeBord, I want to clarify this comment: cor-el said

CCleaner might be looking in files like SiteSecurityServiceState.txt that store HSTS data.

In past threads where CCleaner found "cookies" that Firefox does not show, it was because CCleaner characterizes the bits in the SiteSecurityServiceState.txt file -- which stores HTTPS connection flags -- as cookies. The rationale for this is a theoretical concern that, as far as I know, is not used in the real world.

As a test, after exiting Firefox, and before checking with CCleaner, try deleting that file. (Firefox will start a new one in your next session.) You can find it in your profile folder: Profiles - Where Firefox stores your bookmarks, passwords and other user data.

More details in this April 2018 thread: I allow NO cookies, yet cookies (both 1st & 3rd party) are still being set.

Are there any unexplained "cookies" after that?

Greetings jscher2000,

Starting out,... I'm "All Thumbs" pretty much when it comes to Computers & The Internet.

 It seems that whenever I begin to understand the basics of Software, An Application, etc., .... That it then becomes outmoded. 

My understanding of the "Options" section, was/is, ... If I do not want to be tracked, that I can use that option, although it "may hamper" my ability to travel through various Sites. I've not had to many problems by my selecting the following: 

Content Blocking - "Strict"

Cookies and Site Data :

"Delete cookies and site data when Firefox is closed"- This is checked, but it has to be done Manually.

"History" is set to - "Remember" of which I delete it, prior to shutting down Firefox.

"As a test, after exiting Firefox, and before checking with CCleaner, try deleting that file. (Firefox will start a new one in your next session.) You can find it in your profile folder: Profiles - Where Firefox stores your bookmarks, passwords and other user data. "

Am I Understanding Correctly that this is to be done, upon returning to the Desktop? And, ... That I will not lose my "Toolbars", "Bookmarks", "Extensions", etc.?

My_Cheese_Is_Slippin' said

Hi DavidDeBord, Check out this article by Martin Brinkmann about Web Storage: How to clear Web Storage in your browser of choice and take a closer look at what CCleaner does.

Greetings Mycheese,

I'm going to go through that Site also, or at least begin to, over the next couple of days, after I get caught up with my work. With all of the Suggestions/Data that Ya'll have given me, it's looking like I'm going to be spending an hour or two, going through all this.

Is part of My Problem, ....My Taking the statements made in the "Options Section" about "stopping trackers", "Deleting History", & "Deleting Cookies", .. Literally?

I reckon that I'm asking, ... Is this a situation the same as a Politician saying one thing, but meaning another?

David DeBord said

"As a test, after exiting Firefox, and before checking with CCleaner, try deleting that file. (Firefox will start a new one in your next session.) You can find it in your profile folder: Profiles - Where Firefox stores your bookmarks, passwords and other user data. "

Am I Understanding Correctly that this is to be done, upon returning to the Desktop? And, ... That I will not lose my "Toolbars", "Bookmarks", "Extensions", etc.?

Hi David, deleting the SiteSecurityServiceState.txt file doesn't affect toolbars, bookmarks, extensions, etc. It contains flags related to secure connections Firefox has made to sites during your previous browsing sessions. If this file is deleted, Firefox will rebuild it as you browse.

Note that the gGacks article is from 2015 and current Firefox releases have storage listed in Manage Data.

• Options/Preferences -> Privacy & Security -> Cookies and Site Data
• https://www.ghacks.net/2015/02/05/how-to-clear-web-storage-in-your-browser-of-choice/