Internet cookies are used to save information about users’ activity on a website. This information can include user preferences, login information, and browsing history. Cookies help websites remember this information so that it’s used to provide a better, more personalized experience for the user.
What are the Different Types of Internet Cookies that Exist?
The different types of internet cookies that exist include session cookies, persistent cookies, first-party cookies, third-party cookies, and flash cookies.
Session cookies are temporary files that are stored on a person’s computer for the duration of their visit to a website. These cookies allow websites to remember information about a person’s activity during their session and are typically deleted when the browser is closed.
The main features of Session Cookies:
- Allows you to use websites
- Session cookies make it possible for websites to remember visitors for a short time (session)
- Anonymous browsing sessions can become personalized sessions after registration
Persistent cookies are longer-lasting files that are stored on a user’s computer for an extended period. These cookies allow websites to remember information about a person’s activity over multiple sessions and can be used to store preferences or login information.
The main features of Persistent Cookies:
- These cookies allow websites to remember information about a person’s activity over multiple sessions
- Websites can use persistent cookies for things like storing preferences or login information
- Persistent cookies are typically stored on a user’s hard drive and can be accessed by both the website that created them and any other websites that have been authorized to access them
First-party cookies are created by the website a person is visiting. These cookies can be used for things like remembering a person’s preferences, key identifications, or keeping them logged in.
The main features of First-Party Cookies:
- First-party cookies are created by the website that a person is visiting
- Websites can use these cookies to remember a user’s preferences or keep them logged in to the website
- First-party cookies are typically stored on the computer’s hard drive and can only be accessed by the website that created them
Third-party cookies are created by advertisers or other third parties with content embedded on the website that someone is visiting. Websites can use these cookies for targeted advertising based on a person’s browsing history.
The main features of Third-Party Cookies:
- They are generally known as tracking cookies.
- They collect personal data based on online browsing behavior
- These cookies are bothersome to users who tend to block them
- Third-party cookies are used to create custom advertisements for people
- Websites that created the third-party cookies sell various types of user data to advertisers
Flash Cookies (also known as Local Shared Objects) are files that are stored on the personal computer by Adobe Flash Player. These files can be used to save game progress or remember playback settings for videos.
The main features of Flash Cookies:
- They are typically used in videos and web ads.
- Flash Cookies are also known as Local Shared Objects. They are files stored on a private computer by Adobe Flash Player.
- These files can be used to save game progress or remember playback settings for videos.
- Flash cookies are typically stored on a computer hard drive and can be accessed by both the website that created them and any other websites that have been authorized to access them.
- Thanks to respawning, Flash cookies are not deleted when you delete your browser’s HTTP cookies. This process of cross-browser tracking raises privacy concerns.
Should We Be Concerned About Websites Using Cookies to Track Us?
There is no definitive answer to this question. However, some people believe that sites can use cookies to track a person’s online activity without their knowledge or consent, which could be a privacy concern.
Others argue that cookies are necessary for providing personalized content and experiences and that they are not generally used to collect sensitive information. Ultimately, it is up to each individual to decide whether they are comfortable with websites using cookies to track their behavior.
What Privacy Options are Available for Deleting Internet Cookies and Blocking Internet Cookies
There are several different options available for deleting and blocking internet cookies. Most web browsers allow users to delete cookies that have already been stored on their computer and block cookies from being stored in the future.
Some browsers also have privacy modes or incognito modes that can be used to browse the web without storing any cookies. Additionally, there are a number of third-party programs that sites can use to manage cookies. People should thoroughly scrutinize each of these options to ascertain its effectiveness.
There are many top-class apps, extensions, and blockers that can be used to protect the privacy of your browsing sessions. For example, Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Safari, and other browsers feature top-rated extensions such as DuckDuckGo and Poper Blocker to guard your personal data and maintain the integrity of your browsing sessions.
Pop-up blockers increase your control over websites attempting to use overlays and pop-ups to distract you or track your browsing activity. The community-based blocking capabilities of Poper Blocker rely on the wisdom of the crowd to automatically determine the safety of the sites being visited.
If Internet cookies aren’t removed from your browser, they remain stored, and all data can be read by the website you’re connecting to. It’s a double-edged sword: cookies make it easy to log in to websites next time around (since data is stored), but your browsing activity is also tracked by advertisers and occasionally by third parties with ill intent.