Have you ever wondered how e-commerce websites recommend the products you like when you re-revisit? Why do you keep seeing the recently searched products as ads on other websites and mobile apps? It’s all because of Internet Cookies. You can also call it HTTP Cookies, Computer Cookies, Web Cookies, or Browser Cookies. They are all the same. Here, we are going to discuss What is a Cookie, How many different types of Cookies are there, Whether they are safe or harmful, and everything else you need to know about Cookies.
If you are an internet user, you might have heard about Internet Cookies. Your browser keeps asking whether you want to allow Cookies. Many users wonder whether it is safe to accept internet Cookies or not. Whether it is safe or not depends upon the Type of Cookie it is.
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What is a Cookie? How does it Work?
In the Tech world, a cookie is a tiny file stored in your Browser’s Cache Memory. Whenever you visit a website, it drops a small file to your computer. It stores the user preferences and sends them back to the website. Each cookie has a unique identification code so that the website’s owners can easily identify the users.
A Website can drop any number of Cookies, but they cannot exceed more than 4096 Bytes per domain. That means, even if a website drops one Cookie or ten Cookies, it can only store about 4096 bytes of data.
Real-Life Examples:
Example 1:
You might have visited websites like Amazon, Flipkart, or any other e-commerce website. Suppose you have searched for a product like a DSLR camera. Then, you exit the website without making any purchase. Therefore, when you re-visit a website, it will show other brand DSLR cameras and related products like DSLR battery, bag, lens, etc., in the recommendations section.
It is because, when you visited the e-commerce website the first time, it stored an Internet Cookie on your computer. The Internet Cookie observed your behavior and noted your likes & dislikes.
Therefore, the e-commerce website uses these Cookies stored on your computer to recommend you the items you are interested in.
Moreover, you might have noticed that when you visit other websites or use any mobile app, you can see ads for the products you recently searched.
Even hotel booking, flight booking, and movie ticket booking websites work the same as they suggest similar results based on your previous activities.
Example 2:
Suppose you visited a movie streaming website like Prime, Hotstar, or Netflix and watched a couple of comedy movies. So, when you visit the websites the next time, it will show other comedy movies in the recommendations. Similarly, you might have noticed YouTube showing similar videos in your recommendations based on your Watch History.
Example 3:
Even mobile apps like TikTok use cookies to show users the same type of videos they like or watch repeatedly. That’s why you and your friends get different types of videos when you browse through the list of videos. Therefore, when you uninstall and reinstall the app, the cookies will be deleted, and you see new recommendations.
Example 4:
This is a little different than the above examples. Internet Cookies help you get a better experience by saving your preferences. Suppose you visited a multi-language website and set the page zoom to 80%, these settings are saved in your Cookies. Therefore, you don’t have to change the settings again.
Different Types of Cookies:
There are different types of Cookies on the Internet-based on their functions.
Session Cookies:
This type of Cookie only stays until the user is browsing the website. Session Cookies are also often preferred as Non-Persistent Cookies. Once the user closes the browser window, it deletes the session cookies. It also expires when the user does not access the website for a long period of time, based on the server.
Persistent Cookies:
Personal Cookies are also called Tracking Cookies, as it tracks users’ information like how they initially visited the website.
When you check the Remember Me option, your login session is stored in the Cookies, thus allowing you to log in to the website without entering your credentials again. However, when you click on LogOut, these Cookies will be destroyed automatically. Therefore, you need to Log Out of every website when you are using a multi-user computer.
Third-Party Cookies:
Most websites run Third-Party Ads. When a user visits such websites, the ads drop Cookies on the user’s computer. These Third-party Cookies might collect your other data.
Zombie Cookies:
Zombie Cookies are mostly used in online games to prevent players from cheating. They are called Zombie Cookies because even if the user deletes them, they are automatically recreated. When a player is banned from a game, this type of cookie is stored on their computer.
Super Cookies:
These types of Cookies are allowed by your web browsers by default. These are first-party cookies that have the same domains or sub-domains. Websites use Super Cookies only to improve the user experience on their website.
History/Origin of Internet Cookies:
The first cookie was invented in 1994, by a 24-year-old programmer, named Lou Montulli. He was working for an online store. It was getting hard for the online storage company to store the data of each individual. So, Lou Montolli found a way to store the user data on their computer. Cookies are still used to identify the computer, now they have the added a feature that also tracks the user’s activity. Which can be helpful or breach in security depending on how the website wants to use it.
What’s good about Internet Cookies?
- As we discussed before, when you visit any website, it drops a file on our computer that collects user information like how much time we watched a product. So, when you visit the website again, it will show you related products. It provides a good user experience by saving their time and efforts.
- It also stores your login information till you close the browser. For example, you logged into a website and closed the window. When you re-visit the website, you are logged in by default. In some cases, you are logged off automatically if you close your browser window. It depends on the browser, and whether cookies are enabled or not.
- Internet cookies help website owners to track how many unique visitors they are getting Because each cookie has a unique ID. If a user visits the website multiple times a day, it will be counted as one.
Is it safe to Allow Cookies?
When a website drops a cookie on your computer, it can be read by that particular website only. A Website cannot read or access other websites’ Cookies.
Third-Party Websites cannot steal data from trusted Cookies. They create their own Cookie that can tracks your activities on other websites as well. The Third-Party Cookies can be dropped by a Malicious website as well. In such cases, Cookies can be dangerous.
Therefore, it is safe to accept Cookies from trusted websites. Most Blogging websites do not try to steal your data. They use Cookies to track traffic on their website.
How to be safe from Bad cookies?
- You can visit the privacy policy page of every website because they are legally obligated to mention how they use cookies in their cookies policy.
- A Reliable Anti-Virus Software can detect harmful or spyware Third-Party Cookies.
- If you don’t trust the website, don’t accept its Internet Cookies.
- Also, make sure your internet browser is up-to-date.
- Most people have a misconception about using VPN Software to avoid Cookies. Let’s make it clear that Cookies can track you even if you use VPN Software. Because, Cookies are stored on your computer, and identify you by your computer ID, not your IP address.
- You can also disable Cookies in your Browser Settings.
How to Clear Cookies in Internet Explorer, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Phone
Frequently Asked Questions:
Should I allow cookies?
Yes. You can allow Cookies from trusted websites or other websites after reading their privacy policy.
What happens if you don’t accept cookies?
If you don’t accept cookies, websites cannot personalize the content as per your interest.
Where are cookies stored?
Cookies are stored in the installation folder of your web browser.
Why do websites ask to accept cookies?
When you accept cookies, website owners use them to track traffic and improve user experience.
Do all websites use cookies?
Yes. Almost all websites use cookies. Even if the website owners choose not to use cookies, the third-party ads running on the website will definitely use cookies for improving their advertising techniques.
Are internet cookies safe or unsafe?
Most of the first-party cookies are not only safe but even improves the user experience. On the other hand, third-party cookies can be unsafe. Therefore, as we mentioned earlier in this article, you need to check their privacy policy before allowing it, to understand what data they collect.
Why were the internet cookies invented?
Internet Cookies were invented so that website owners can track user activities on their website. As it is difficult to store every user’s data on the server, they decided to store the user data on their own computers.
Are Internet cookies spyware?
Not most of them, but third-party cookies can be spyware.
When do internet cookies expire?
Session cookies expire as soon as you close the website, but persistent cookies have an expiry date of 1-2 years.
Can internet cookies raise the price for the products if you keep visiting the site?
Yes. Some e-commerce websites or tools may raise the value of a product if you keep visiting the site again and again.
Does deleting the internet cookie help clean a computer from viruses/malware?
There are many types of Malware, but Cookies is not one of them. Cookies are just plain text files that store data in the form of text. Often Third-Party Cookies are considered Spyware Malware because they store user data, which can be traced by hackers.
Conclusion on whether Internet Cookies are Good or Bad:
There are different types of cookies stored on your computer, and whether a cookie is safe or not depends on its type. In general, cookies do not do any harm to your computer or data. It enhances and personalizes the user experience. But, some cookies from third-party websites can collect your data. The simple solution is to allow cookies from trusted websites only. Or, simply read the website’s cookie privacy policy to make sure the website is collecting user information for good intent.
So, what do you think? Creating Cookies was a good idea or not? As there are different types of Cookies, which Cookies should be banned? Comment your thoughts below and share this article with your dear ones.