What are cookies?
A cookie is a small text file stored on your device by your web browser when you visit a website. It contains data that helps the site remember you, your preferences, and your actions over time. Cookies can improve your browsing experience by keeping you signed in, remembering items in a shopping cart, or tailoring content to your interests.
Types of cookies
Cookies come in various forms, each with a different purpose:
- First-party cookies: Set by the website you’re visiting. They are generally used to remember user preferences and login status.
- Third-party cookies: Set by domains other than the site you’re visiting, often used for advertising and tracking across sites.
- Session cookies: Temporary cookies that are deleted when you close your browser. They help with navigation and temporary preferences.
- Persistent cookies: Remain on your device for a set period, allowing sites to recognize you on future visits.
- Secure cookies: Transmitted over HTTPS to help protect data in transit.
- HttpOnly cookies: Intended to reduce the risk of client-side script access to sensitive data, offering an added layer of protection.
Other technologies that track and remember
Beyond cookies, a range of technologies can store or retrieve information about your online activities:
- LocalStorage and SessionStorage: Web storage APIs that allow sites to store larger amounts of data on your device. LocalStorage persists across sessions, while SessionStorage is cleared when the tab closes.
- Web beacons and pixels: Tiny, transparent images or scripts that report when a page is loaded or an email is opened, often used for analytics or tracking user engagement.
- Fingerprinting: A method that gathers device, browser, and plug-in information to create a unique profile. This can be harder to block but raises privacy concerns.
- Server-side tracking: Data collected directly by the website’s servers about your interactions, often linked to your account.
Why cookies and similar technologies matter
Cookies and tracking tech influence what you see online and how your data is used. They enable features you rely on, but they can also enable cross-site advertising and activity profiling. This makes understanding consent, data collection, and control options essential for protecting privacy.
Privacy and consent: what you should know
Many regions require transparent disclosure about cookies and tracking, along with user consent for certain types of data collection. Look for cookie banners, privacy notices, or settings that let you manage preferences. It’s also common to have options to block third-party cookies or limit tracking where possible.
How to manage cookies and tracking
Practical steps to improve privacy while maintaining a good browsing experience include:
- Review and adjust cookie preferences on sites you frequent.
- Use browser privacy settings to block third-party cookies and clear data on exit.
- Enable private or incognito modes when appropriate for sensitive sessions.
- Consider privacy-centered extensions that block trackers or manage permissions.
- Regularly clear stored data such as cookies and site data from your browser.
Bottom line
Cookies and other similar technologies play a central role in modern web functionality. By understanding how they work and taking mindful control of permissions, you can enjoy a smoother online experience while safeguarding your privacy.
