A cookie is a small piece of data (text file) consisting of letters and numbers that a website downloads to your computer or device to recognize you as a user when you return to the website using the same computer/device and web browser. Cookies can help a website to arrange content to match users’ preferred interests more effectively or avoid the need for users to re-enter data when they revisit a website. This can help speed up your login time or customize the layout of pages according to your needs and preferences. Cookies are used by millions of the most popular websites on the internet and do not harm your computer. “Essential” cookies enable the services we offer. “Non-Essential” cookies help us understand how our services are being used (i.e. analytics) and deliver advertisements

What are cookies on websites?

Cookies are small pieces of data that websites store on a user's device, typically in the user's web browser, when they visit the site. These data files serve various purposes, and they play a crucial role in enhancing the functionality and user experience of websites. Cookies can be divided into different types based on their functions:

1. Session Cookies: These are temporary cookies that are stored in the browser's memory during a user's visit to a website. They are often used to maintain user sessions, remembering information as a user navigates through the site. Session cookies are typically deleted when the user closes their web browser.

2. Persistent Cookies: Unlike session cookies, persistent cookies remain on a user's device for a specified duration, even after they close their browser. They can be used for various purposes, such as remembering login credentials or user preferences for future visits.

3. First-Party Cookies: These are set by the website that the user is currently visiting. First-party cookies are typically used for legitimate website functions, like remembering login status or user preferences.

4. Third-Party Cookies: These are set by domains other than the one the user is currently visiting. Third-party cookies are often used for tracking and advertising purposes, allowing third-party services, such as advertisers or analytics companies, to collect data about a user's online behavior across multiple websites.

Common uses of cookies on websites include:

- Authentication: Cookies are often used to remember login information so users don't have to re-enter their credentials on every page.

- Personalization: Cookies can store user preferences, such as language settings, theme choices, and location information to customize the user experience.

- Shopping Carts: E-commerce websites use cookies to keep track of items in a user's shopping cart.

- Analytics: Cookies help website owners collect data on user behavior, which can be used for improving the site's performance and user experience.

- Targeted Advertising: Third-party cookies are often used to track user behavior and display relevant ads based on their interests and browsing history.

It's important to note that cookies can raise privacy concerns, particularly when used for tracking and advertising. To address these concerns, many countries have implemented regulations, like the European Union's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), which require websites to inform users about their cookie usage and obtain consent before setting certain types of cookies.

Users can typically manage and control cookies through their browser settings, allowing them to delete or block cookies if they have privacy or security concerns.

Where are cookies stored?

Cookies are stored on a user's device, typically within their web browser's storage system. The exact location and method of storage can vary depending on the browser and the operating system being used. Here's a general overview of where cookies are stored:

1. Browser Cookies Storage: Most commonly, cookies are stored within the web browser on a user's device. The location of this storage varies depending on the browser and operating system, but it generally involves a file or a database.

  - In Google Chrome: Cookies are typically stored in a SQLite database file.
  - In Mozilla Firefox: Cookies are stored in a file called "cookies.sqlite."
  - In Microsoft Edge: Cookies are also stored in a database.
  - In Apple Safari: Cookies are stored in a binary file.
  
  Browsers provide user interfaces to manage and delete cookies. Users can often find this in the browser's settings or preferences under privacy or security settings.

2. Session Cookies: Session cookies are stored in memory (RAM) rather than on the hard drive. They are temporary and are deleted when the browser is closed. This type of storage ensures that session data is not persistent beyond the current browsing session.

3. Web Storage: Some web applications also use "Web Storage" mechanisms like Web Storage API (localStorage and sessionStorage) to store data locally. While not technically cookies, these mechanisms serve similar purposes, and they can also be managed through the browser settings.

4. Browser Extensions: Browser extensions and add-ons may have their own local storage, which can include cookies or similar data. These can be managed separately through the extension settings.

It's important to note that users can control and manage cookies through their browser settings. They can delete cookies, block certain websites from setting cookies, or configure their preferences for accepting cookies. Additionally, websites often inform users about their cookie usage and ask for consent, especially in regions with privacy regulations like the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in the European Union. Users concerned about privacy and security should review and adjust their browser's cookie settings to suit their preferences.

What are the different types of cookies?

Cookies can be categorized into various types based on their functions, lifespans, and origins. Here are some of the different types of cookies:

1. Session Cookies: These are temporary cookies that are stored in the browser's memory during a user's visit to a website. They are used to maintain user sessions and are typically deleted when the user closes their web browser. Session cookies do not persist beyond the current session.

2. Persistent Cookies: Unlike session cookies, persistent cookies remain on a user's device for a specified duration, even after they close their browser. They are often used for purposes such as remembering login credentials or user preferences for future visits. The lifespan of persistent cookies can vary, from days to years.

3. First-Party Cookies: First-party cookies are set by the website that the user is currently visiting. They are typically used for legitimate website functions, like remembering login status or user preferences. First-party cookies are subject to the same-origin policy, meaning they are only accessible to the website that set them.

4. Third-Party Cookies: Third-party cookies are set by domains other than the one the user is currently visiting. They are often used for tracking and advertising purposes, allowing third-party services, such as advertisers or analytics companies, to collect data about a user's online behavior across multiple websites. The use of third-party cookies has become more restricted in response to privacy concerns.

5. Secure Cookies: Secure cookies are transmitted over encrypted connections (HTTPS) to enhance security. They are often used for sensitive data like login credentials.

6. HttpOnly Cookies: HttpOnly cookies are not accessible through JavaScript and are primarily used for security purposes to prevent cross-site scripting (XSS) attacks. They can store sensitive information, such as session identifiers.

7. Same-Site Cookies: Same-Site cookies are designed to mitigate certain types of cross-site request forgery (CSRF) attacks. They can be set to "Strict" (only sent with same-site requests) or "Lax" (sent with same-site requests and some cross-site requests).

8. Analytical or Tracking Cookies: These cookies are used for analytics and tracking user behavior on a website. They help website owners gather data for improving their site's performance and user experience. Services like Google Analytics often use these cookies.

9. Advertising Cookies: Advertising cookies are used for tracking user behavior across websites to deliver targeted advertisements. They are typically third-party cookies used by advertising networks and ad platforms.

10. Functional Cookies: Functional cookies are used to remember user preferences and settings, enhancing the functionality of a website. For example, they can remember language preferences or customizations.

11. Marketing Cookies: Marketing cookies are used for tracking user interactions with marketing campaigns and content. They help businesses measure the effectiveness of their marketing efforts.

12. Performance Cookies: Performance cookies are used to collect data about how a website is used, helping website owners identify and address performance issues.

It's important to note that privacy regulations like the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in the European Union and the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) have imposed restrictions on the use of certain types of cookies, particularly third-party and tracking cookies. Websites are often required to inform users about their cookie usage and obtain consent for specific cookie types to protect user privacy.

What is a third-party cookie?

A third-party cookie is a type of web cookie that is set by a domain or website other than the one a user is currently visiting. These cookies are created by external parties, such as advertising networks, analytics services, or social media platforms, and are typically used for tracking and collecting data about a user's online behavior across different websites. Here's how third-party cookies work and their primary purposes:

1. Tracking User Behavior: Third-party cookies are commonly used to track users as they move from one website to another. This tracking can involve recording the pages a user visits, the products they view, the links they click, and more. The data collected is often used to build a profile of the user's interests and behavior.

2. Advertising: One of the most prominent uses of third-party cookies is in online advertising. Advertisers and ad networks use these cookies to deliver targeted ads to users based on their browsing history and interests. For example, if you recently searched for shoes on one website, you may start seeing shoe-related ads on other websites you visit.

3. Analytics: Third-party cookies are also used by web analytics services to track user engagement and behavior on websites. This data helps website owners understand how users interact with their site and make improvements.

4. Cross-Site Authentication: In some cases, third-party cookies can be used for single sign-on (SSO) or authentication across multiple websites. For example, you might use your Google or Facebook credentials to log in to different websites, and third-party cookies play a role in this process.

Third-party cookies have raised privacy concerns because they allow external entities to track and collect data about users without their explicit knowledge or consent. As a response to these concerns, many web browsers and privacy regulations have introduced measures to limit or restrict the use of third-party cookies. Some browsers have implemented blocking mechanisms, and some regions, such as the European Union, have enacted data protection regulations like the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) that require websites to obtain user consent before using certain types of cookies, including third-party cookies. These changes aim to give users more control over their online privacy and data.

How do cookies affect user privacy?

Cookies can have both positive and negative effects on user privacy, depending on how they are used. Here's a summary of how cookies can impact user privacy:

Positive Effects on User Privacy:

1. Convenience: Cookies can enhance user experience by remembering login credentials, language preferences, and other user-specific settings. This convenience can improve privacy by reducing the need to repeatedly enter personal information.

2. Personalization: Cookies can be used to deliver personalized content and recommendations based on a user's past behavior and preferences, enhancing the user's online experience.

Negative Effects on User Privacy:

1. Tracking and Profiling: One of the primary concerns with cookies is the tracking of user behavior across websites. Third-party cookies, in particular, are used to create detailed profiles of users, including their interests, habits, and demographics. This can lead to invasive targeted advertising.

2. Cross-Site Tracking: Cookies enable advertisers and analytics services to track users as they move from one website to another. This tracking can compromise user privacy, as it allows companies to build a comprehensive picture of a user's online activity.

3. Data Collection: Cookies can collect a variety of data, including IP addresses, device information, and browsing history. In some cases, this data is shared with or sold to third parties, raising concerns about data privacy and security.

4. Security Risks: While some cookies enhance security (e.g., session cookies for authentication), others can pose security risks. Malicious actors can exploit certain cookies for attacks, such as cross-site scripting (XSS) or cross-site request forgery (CSRF).

5. Consent and Transparency: Many users are unaware of how their data is being collected and used through cookies. Websites are increasingly required to obtain user consent and provide clear information about their cookie practices, but not all websites comply, leading to a lack of transparency.

To address privacy concerns related to cookies, there have been regulatory developments, such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in the European Union and the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) in the United States. These regulations require websites to obtain explicit consent from users before setting certain types of cookies and to provide clear information about their data collection and usage practices.

Additionally, many web browsers offer privacy features that allow users to manage and control cookies, including the ability to block or delete specific cookies. Users concerned about their online privacy should review their browser settings and be cautious about granting consent for cookies, particularly third-party cookies that can be used for extensive tracking and profiling.

Cookie Notices and Cookie Consent Explained

Cookies are integral to the way modern websites work. Most personalization and social media integration on websites rely on cookies in one way or another. However they can be used in a way that doesn’t benefit visitors, and they are often used to track people across the web and build up profiles that are very valuable to brands and advertisers for targeted marketing. This is often seen as an invasion of privacy, and because cookies are a fairly quiet technology – this can be happening to you without you realizing it, or being able to stop it if you wanted to. To help you become more aware of this activity, and give you a say in whether you want to allow it to happen, new EU-wide privacy legislation was put in place in 2011. This has become known as the Cookie Law. The Cookie Law requires that websites give you clear, detailed information about how they use cookies, and provide ways for you to signal whether or not you want to allow such use. The website is then required by law to respect your wishes. This might mean they block the cookies you don’t like, or they don’t let you access the site – however, you should expect to be given the choice. Some websites will allow you to choose which types of cookies to allow or block, although in some cases if you do this you may not be able to use or see all of a website. If a website you visit is not giving you sufficient information or choice, and the company that owns it is based in the EU, then it may be breaking the law, and you can take action against the owner. This website has been created to help people understand better what cookies are and how they are used by different websites. You can use it to look up your favorite websites, and soon you will be able to search for information about specific cookies to understand what they are used for.