Cookies

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A cookie is a small string of text that a website stores on a user’s computer.

• contain text
• cannot execute them the way you do a program file
• not considered spyware because they are not executable
• by itself is not dangerous or a privacy threat
• individuals and companies can use cookies in ways that invade your privacy
• 2 kinds of cookies:
  • First-party cookies—Exchanged between a user’s browser and the website the user is visiting
  • Third-party cookies—Set by one website but readable by another site
    • set when the web page a user visits has content on it that is hosted by another server
• used for many things that most computer users consider beneficial
  • E.g.,
    • can be used by a website to remember information about visitors to the site
    • save your settings if you “personalize” a web application that you regularly use
• advertising companies that sell content and advertising to companies with a web presence often use third-party cookies
  • can track their cookies over several websites and use the tracked information to create a profile of each user’s browsing habits
  • then direct targeted advertisements to the users
  • This is a privacy concern

Tip

Most modern internet browsers have privacy settings that allow you to choose whether to accept cookies from the websites you visit.

• can configure browsers to warn you before a cookie is accepted, and to block third-party cookies automatically
• always use the most privacy-protective settings that your internet browser will allow