A cookie is a small data file that a website associates with visitors to facilitate optimal operation, efficiency, and security. Cookies are installed through requests sent by a server to an Internet browser (e.g., Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome). These files do not contain software, viruses, or spyware, and they cannot access information stored on the device’s hard drive. Cookies do not typically require personal information to be used and, in most cases, do not personally identify Internet users. The lifespan of cookies can vary significantly depending on their intended purpose. Users can delete cookies at any time via browser settings.
Cookies themselves do not request personal information and usually do not identify individual Internet users.
There are two major categories of cookies:
Session Cookies – These are stored temporarily in the browser’s cookie folder and remembered until the user leaves the website or closes the browser (e.g., during login/logout on webmail or social media accounts).
Persistent Cookies – These are stored on a computer or device’s hard drive and depend on a pre-set expiration time. Persistent cookies can include third-party cookies placed by websites other than the one the user is visiting, used anonymously to remember user interests for more relevant advertising.
What are the benefits of cookies?
Cookies contain information that connects a web browser (user) to a specific web server (website). If a browser accesses the server again, it can read the stored information and respond accordingly. Cookies enhance user navigation experience and support many websites’ efforts to provide comfortable services, such as online privacy preferences, language options, shopping carts, or relevant advertising.
What is the lifespan of a cookie?
Cookies are managed by web servers. Their lifespan can vary significantly, depending on their purpose. Some are used exclusively for a single session and are not retained once the user leaves the website, while others are retained and reused whenever the user returns to that website (persistent cookies). Users can delete cookies at any time via browser settings.
What are third-party cookies?
Some website sections may provide content from third-party providers (e.g., news feeds, videos, or ads). These third parties can also place cookies, known as “third-party cookies,” because they are not set by the website owner. Third-party providers must also comply with the website owner’s privacy policies and laws.
How are cookies used by this site?
A visit to this site may place cookies for purposes such as:
- Performance Cookies – These remember user preferences to avoid resetting them on each visit (e.g., volume settings for a video player, video streaming speed compatible with the browser).
- Visitor Analysis Cookies – Used by third-party analytics software, these cookies tell if a user has visited the site before, allowing unique visitor monitoring for statistical purposes.
- Geotargeting Cookies – These establish a user’s country, targeting content based on location.
- Registration Cookies – Generated when users register on a site, these cookies track whether they are logged in or not and associate any posted comments with their username.
- Advertising Cookies – These track if a user has seen an online ad, its type, and how long ago. They help target advertising more effectively, often based on anonymous browsing behavior.
What kind of information is stored in cookies?
Cookies store important information that improves user browsing experience, such as language settings, keeping a user logged in, online banking security, or items in a shopping cart.
Why are cookies important for the internet?
Cookies are essential for the efficient operation of the internet, creating a user-friendly browsing experience adapted to preferences and interests. Refusing or disabling cookies can make some websites unusable. Rejecting cookies doesn’t eliminate online ads, but the ads will no longer reflect user preferences based on browsing behavior.
Examples of important cookie usage:
- Customized content and services (e.g., news, weather, sports, public and government services, travel sites).
- Offers tailored to user interests (e.g., saved passwords, language preferences).
- Protection filters for children (e.g., family mode, safe search).
- Limiting the number of ad displays for a user.
- Relevant advertising for the user.
- Analytics and optimization to improve website functionality.
Security and privacy concerns
Cookies are NOT viruses. They use plain text formats and cannot execute code or replicate themselves. However, because they store browsing preferences and history, they can be used for tracking (as spyware). Anti-spyware tools often flag cookies for deletion. Modern browsers have privacy settings that allow users to manage cookie acceptance, expiration periods, and automatic deletion.
How to stop cookies?
Disabling cookies may make some websites hard to use. However, most browsers allow cookie management settings, including refusal or accepting cookies from specific sites. Links to browser-specific cookie settings are provided for further assistance.
Useful links:
- Microsoft Cookies guide
- All About Cookies
