Have you ever wondered how your search for your favorite book or a household item results in similar advertisements popping up whenever you browse online? This happens because websites collect your data and store it in tiny bits of files called ‘cookies’.
This might offer a personalized browsing experience for you, but, is it safe for you?
Websites often require you to click on the ‘Accept all cookies’ pop-up as you browse through them. These cookies are stored on your browser, and this is how the browser can remember your passwords, your purchase history, etc.
So, are internet cookies safe? Let’s find out!
Why Do We Need Cookies?
Imagine you add items to your shopping cart and accidentally close the tab without being able to checkout! It would be quite a task to search all over again when you revisit the site and look for the items you added to the cart that were not saved, right?
This is where cookies can help save the day. They help save your information on the browser so that you can continue where you’ve left off the next time you log back in on the website.
Internet cookies are meant to make the user experience more personalized and convenient. These are created by the website you are visiting and are governed by the data agreement between the user and the website.
What are HTTP Cookies?
You can think of a cookie as information about your preferences that is saved for future use. For example, while shopping online, you are looking for an item you previously ordered or placed in your cart. This information is saved on your device and is sent to the server by your browser when your session begins or when you visit the shopping website.
A cookie helps you remember your preferences and is of great help. It may also be used for advertising. For example, if you were looking for bed sheets then the website might display advertisements of bed sheets. However, some websites share the cookie information with third parties.
Different HTTP Cookie Types
Here’s a look at the various types of HTTP cookies:
Session cookies
A session cookie is sent to the server by default when a user visits a website. For example, when you open a shopping website, your browser will send an identification code and a series of letters and numerals that help the server know who has visited. Session cookies are temporary files that are deleted when your session ends, typically when you close the browser or website tab or log out.
Persistent cookies
Persistent cookies are stored on your machine for a duration decided by the website that creates them. Persistent cookies require consent before they are stored but the information and consent are usually unclear and many users accept them blindly. These are mostly used to save your preferences and settings.
First-Party Cookies
The greetings when you log into the website, items in your shopping cart, and recommendations on the items you can buy are a part of the information saved by the First-Party cookie. This information stays with the website and only consists of the information you have entered on the website and your IP address.
Third-Party Cookies
These third-party cookies can be used for direct advertising that shows ads for the items you have searched for. However, others might redirect you to a website without your knowledge. Some third-party cookies might track your online activity, collect the patterns, and sell this information to companies that intend to advertise which is usually harmless. But sometimes these cookies might follow your online activity store patterns and potentially threaten you by stealing sensitive information.
Enabling and Disabling Cookies
Internet browsers provide web users with an option to enable or disable cookies. If you disable the cookies altogether, the websites may not identify you or your preferences, like a theme you have set, and you may have to key in your credentials each time you visit the page. The items in your shopping cart will not be there after your session is over, adding to the inconvenience of performing online transactions and deteriorating the overall browsing experience.
You also have the option to disable third-party cookies provided by most browsers. This will ensure that the essential cookies still function giving you a seamless browsing experience and minimizing the risk of harmful third-party cookies.
Cookies and Privacy
While cookies are an integral part of the internet world, some of which are essential, useful for convenience and render a seamless browsing experience, others are prying on you and may put you at risk of being robbed of sensitive information.
How can you be wary of these cookies and protect yourself against the nefarious ones? These best practices will minimize the risks that some cookies pose.
- Avoid using open or free networks.
- Keep third-party cookies at bay by blocking them through your browser settings.
- Keep your browser clean and updated by regularly erasing your browsing history.
- Always keep an updated anti-malware running on your device.
Cookie – Friend or Foe
Internet cookies and privacy are both important for smooth and safe browsing. To manage both you need to stay vigilant and follow browsing best practices. However, some serious questions still loom.
- What is cookie policy and should you always give consent to accept all cookies?
- What are Poisoned Cookies and how can you stay safe from them?
- What steps can you take to protect yourself from cookies on the internet?
A cookie policy will notify the user regarding the cookies that are being used by the website. Poisoned cookies are cookies that are altered by attackers to send the wrong information to the server to access sensitive information.
You can enhance your safety with cookies by using a versatile and robust antivirus like Quick Heal Total Security, which will protect your devices and ensure a safe browsing experience.
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