What Are Cookies and How They Work? Types of Cookies and How Can you Manage Cookies?
In this blog post, I will break down what are cookies in a browser, how cookies work, types of cookies, and provide real-life examples so even a beginner can understand this important part of internet technology.
Whether you are a casual user or someone interested to know about cookies in website performance and privacy, this article is for you.
If you ave ever visited a website and seen a message that says, “This site uses cookies to improve your experience,” or a message similar to this, you might have wondered what exactly are cookies? Are they safe? And how do they affect your browsing experience?
What Are Cookies?
In simple terms, cookies are small text files stored on your device by a website when you visit it. These files are used to remember information about you, such as your login details, preferences, items in your shopping cart, and much more.
Think of cookies like your digital memory card for websites. Just as a store might remember a regular customer’s name or favorite product, websites use cookies to remember who you are and improve your browsing experience.
Example:
When you visit Amazon and add items to your cart but don’t check out, you will notice the items are still in your cart when you return. This is possible because of cookies. They store this cart information temporarily or permanently depending on the cookie type.
Why Do Websites Use Cookies?
Cookies are widely used for several reasons:
- Authentication: To keep you logged in across multiple pages.
- Personalization: To remember your settings and preferences.
- Tracking: To analyze how users interact with a website.
- Shopping Carts: To store items added to the cart.
- Targeted Advertising: To show ads based on your interests and browsing history.
How Do Cookies Work?
When you access a website for the first time:
- The website sends a request to your browser.
- Your browser responds and stores cookies from the website on your device.
- Every time you revisit the site, your browser sends those stored cookies back to the website server.
This back-and-forth allows the website to “recognize” you and respond accordingly.
For instance, if you have selected a dark mode or a language preference earlier, the website will remember it the next time you visit, because of the stored cookies.
Types of Cookies (Explained with Examples)
There are different types of cookies used depending on their function and duration:
Session Cookies
- These are temporary cookies that get deleted when you close your browser.
- Used for things like keeping you logged in during a session or remembering what you typed in a form.
Example: When you’re filling out a multi-step form, and you navigate between pages, session cookies keep the form data intact.
Persistent Cookies
- These cookies stay on your device until they expire or are manually deleted.
- They are used to remember login details, language preferences, and other custom settings.
Example: If you check “Remember Me” on a login page, a persistent cookie saves your login data for future visits.
First-party Cookies
- Set by the website you’re visiting directly.
- Typically used to enhance user experience on that particular site.
Example: When a blog remembers your name for future comments.
Third-party Cookies
- Set by domains other than the one you’re visiting.
- Mainly used for advertising and tracking purposes.
Example: Facebook’s like buttons or Google Ads may track your behavior even when you’re not on their site.
Are Cookies Safe?
Cookies do not carry viruses or malware and cannot access data on your hard drive. However, they can sometimes be used for malicious tracking or to gather too much information.
That’s why many websites now offer cookie consent pop-ups due to privacy laws like GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) and CCPA (California Consumer Privacy Act).
How Can You Manage Cookies?
You can manage or delete cookies directly from your web browser (check here). Most browsers allow you to:
- Block third-party cookies
- Delete stored cookies
- Set preferences for different websites
Steps to Clear Cookies (Example on Google Chrome):
- Open Chrome and click the three dots in the upper right corner.
- Go to Settings > Privacy and security > Clear browsing data.
- Select Cookies and other site data, then click Clear data.
[Read: How to Stop Google Chrome Running from Background?]
Why Cookies Matter to You
Cookies play a huge role in modern web browsing. They:
- Help websites load faster for repeat visitors.
- Enhance user experience by saving preferences.
- Support e-commerce sites by managing shopping carts and purchases.
- Enable tailored ads based on browsing behavior.
However, it’s important to strike a balance between convenience and privacy. Understanding what cookies do and how to manage them puts you in control of your digital experience.
To sum up, cookies are an essential part of the internet, helping both users and website owners. They make browsing smoother, more personalized, and efficient but it’s also crucial to be aware of how your data is being used.
Hope till now you are completely aware of what are cookies and how they work?
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