Everything You Need to Know About Cookies

Cookies are omnipresent on the internet, but their functioning and implications are sometimes unclear to users. In this article, we explore their role, usefulness, different types, and the challenges they pose in terms of data privacy.

1. What is a cookie?

A cookie is a small text file that websites create and store on your device through your browser during your visits. This file contains structured information in the form of key-value pairs. These data allow websites to identify you or save some of your preferences to enhance your user experience.

For example, cookies can:

• Remember your preferred language for displaying a website.
• Keep track of products added to your cart on an e-commerce site.
• Save your login credentials so you don’t have to log in again on each visit.
• Store your preferences on streaming platforms to recommend movies or series similar to your previous views.

2. How do cookies work?

Cookies work through exchanges between your browser and the server of the website you are visiting:

1. Creation and storage: During your first visit, the server generates a cookie containing information to be stored and sends it to your browser. The browser then saves the file on your device.
2. Transmission to servers: On subsequent visits, your browser automatically sends the cookie back to the website’s server, allowing it to retrieve the information and tailor your user experience accordingly.

3. Different types of cookies

There are several types of cookies, each serving a specific purpose:

a) Based on their lifespan:

• Session cookies: These cookies are temporary and disappear when you close your browser. They are used to save temporary information, such as the contents of your shopping cart.
• Persistent cookies: These remain on your device for a set period, even after closing the browser. They are often used to remember your preferences or keep your session active.

b) Based on their origin:

• First-party cookies: Created by the website you are visiting, they improve your experience on that specific site.
• Third-party cookies: Generated by domains external to the visited site, often related to services like advertising or traffic analysis.

4. Common uses of cookies

• Personalizing user experience: Cookies remember your preferences, such as language or display settings. For example, a site like Amazon can display products in your chosen language and currency.
• Tracking browsing habits: They record your browsing history to provide relevant recommendations. For example, on YouTube, cookies help recommend videos based on your previous views.
• Login and security: They keep you logged in while ensuring secure transactions. Online banking services, for example, use cookies to maintain a temporary session.
• Targeted advertising: Third-party cookies collect data on your online habits to display ads tailored to your interests. For instance, if you browse sports articles on several sites, you might see ads for running shoes or sports equipment.

5. Privacy concerns related to cookies

While cookies offer many benefits, they also raise data privacy concerns:

• Third-party cookies and profiling: Third-party cookies track users across multiple sites to create detailed profiles, which may be perceived as an invasion of privacy.
• Mandatory consent: Regulations such as GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) require websites to obtain explicit user consent before storing certain cookies.
• Transparency: Websites must provide clear information about cookie usage and allow users to manage them.

6. How to manage cookies?

You can control and manage cookies through your browser settings:

1. Accept or decline cookies: Most browsers allow you to block cookies or accept them on a case-by-case basis.
2. Delete cookies: You can delete cookies stored on your device via your browser settings.
3. Blocking extensions: Tools like ad blockers offer additional control over third-party cookies.

7. Conclusion

Cookies play an essential role in modern web browsing by offering personalized experiences and simplifying interactions. However, they also pose risks to privacy. As a user, it’s important to understand how they work and apply best practices to control their use.