Cookies are text files that store personal information or user preferences for websites. First-party cookies save information from the current website, while third-party cookies track browsing activity. Session cookies are temporary and retain user settings for a short time. While cookies have useful functions, some users worry about privacy issues, especially with third-party cookies that track user interests. Most web browsers give control over which cookies to accept or reject, and disabling third-party cookies can avoid privacy problems without damaging functionality.
Cookies, in IT terms, are text files stored on a computer’s hard drive to contain personal information about the user or save user preferences for a website. Web browsers use browser cookies to store information obtained from a website’s server. Web browser cookies can save you time by not needing to manually select site settings for each visit. Although many sites use cookies, web browsers usually include an option to enable or disable cookies if the user is concerned about potential privacy issues.
Common types of cookies include first-party, third-party and session cookies. While first-party cookies save information from the website the user is currently visiting, advertisers use third-party cookies to track the user’s browsing activity. Some users are interested in third-party cookies, so popular web browsers include an option to decline third-party cookies, and there are also programs available that can delete stored third-party cookies. Session cookies are temporary and only retain user settings for a short time. An example of a session cookie in use includes the online shopping cart function on shopping websites.
Depending on the content of the website visited, browser cookies can store a variety of information. Some keep the user’s username and password so that the user does not have to log in every time he visits the website. Other cookies can store information about how the user customizes the look of a web page. For example, you can choose a specific theme to use for an online forum or email account. Some websites also use cookies to track which pages you visit on the site and use the information to recommend pages with similar content.
While browser cookies have useful functions, some users worry that they take away some privacy. The main problem is with third-party cookies that track user interests and collect information for website advertisements and pop-ups. Also, some users don’t like the idea of websites tracking the pages they visit. Cookies can also create privacy issues if multiple users use the same computer.
Most web browsers give you control over which cookies to accept and which to reject, and also have an option to decline all cookies. Denying all cookies may seem like a good idea, but some websites won’t work properly without the option. Disabling third-party cookies instead can avoid many privacy problems without damaging the functionality.
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