Cookies, what are they?

What are cookies? 🍪

We aren't talking about the edible kind..."Cookies" refer to small pieces of data that websites store on a user's device when the user visits the website.

They're primarily used to remember information about the user and their preferences, which can enhance the browsing experience or enable certain website functionalities.

Cookies serve various purposes including remembering login credentials, tracking user preferences, personalising content, analysing website usage and facilitating online shopping carts.Why types of cookies are there?

1️.Session cookies are temporary and are erased when the user closes the web browser

2️.Persistent cookies remain on the user's device for a specified period or until they are manually deleted

3️.First-party cookies which are set by the website the user is visiting

4️.Third-party cookies are set by domains other than the one the user is visiting, often by advertising networks or social media platforms.

Cookies can enhance user experience but they also raise privacy concerns ❗

Third-party cookies have been criticised for tracking users across different websites without their explicit consent, leading to concerns about privacy invasion and targeted advertising.

Various regulations, impose restrictions on the use of cookies and require websites to obtain user consent before setting certain types of cookies.

Users can manage cookies through their web browser settings, where they can choose to accept, reject, or delete cookies.

Many browsers also offer options for blocking third-party cookies or enabling a "do not track" feature.

Do you click 'accept' when a cookies notification pops up? 🍪 ‍

#cookietypesexplained #cookieconsent #cookieusuageexplanation #cybersecurityawareness #cybersafety