What are cookies? Cookies can be defined as text files with small pieces of data, usernames and passwords etc., that are used to identify the network through which a user accesses the Internet. HTTP cookies are also used to identify a user accessing the network. Data stored in a cookie is generated by the server after the connection is established. This data is identifiable with a unique ID specific to the user and the computer. When the cookie is exchanged between the computer and the network, the server reads the ID and will pull up the information that is specific to the user.

Why are Cookies Important?

Websites use HTTP Cookies to streamline the user’s web experiences. It saves time when the user revisits a website if the system can just pick up from where the user left off. Repeated logins would be required without cookies, as each session would be considered new. Based on this understanding, we know why it is worth keeping cookies. Here is how cookies can be used:

1. Session management: For example, cookies allow the website recognize users based on past logins and sessions as their individual login information and preferences are stored. Therefore, the algorithm can filter feeds, such as news or sports.
2. Tracking usage: Shopping sites, for example, use cookies to track items previously viewed by the users. Certain websites or pages viewed by users can be followed by the stored cookies, and the preferred pages can be pulled up as a result of subsequent logins.
3. Personalization: Customized advertising is the way cookies are used to personalize web sessions. Specific parts or pages of the websites may have already been visited, and cookie data helps to build targeted ads in line with the user’s viewing habits.

Why Cookies can be Dangerous

Since data is already stored in the cookies, the cookies themselves are not harmful. They cannot infect computers with viruses, malware, or malicious software. However, some attackers can hijack even cookies and gain access to the user’s browsing sessions. The danger posed by cookies lies in their ability to monitor and trace the browsing history. Let us take a look at what kind of cookies to avoid and watch out for. First-party cookies are directly created by the website a user is accessing. They are typically safer as long as users are browsing reputable websites or ones that have not been compromised/infected with malicious software or malware. Third-party cookies are more problematic. They are generated by websites other than the web pages users are currently surfing, usually because they’re linked to ads on that page. A website with a few ads may generate some cookies, even if users do not click on those ads. Third-party cookies allow advertisers to track a user’s browsing history across the web on other websites containing ads. This means that advertisers could determine when a user first searched for some brand of clothing at a mall before checking a sports item website and then a website selling footwear. Zombie cookies are from a third-party and permanently installed on the users’ computers, even if they opt not to install cookies. As the name suggests, they are literally ‘there but not there.’ They can even reappear after they have been deleted. Zombie cookies first appeared when they were created from data stored in the Adobe Flash storage bin. Since they are difficult to remove, they are called ‘flash cookies.’

Allowing or Deleting cookies

Allowing cookies streamlines the web experience. They can be manually enabled by selecting ‘Allow local data’ in the settings of the computer. It is up to the users whether to accept or delete cookies. Removing cookies mitigates the risks of privacy breaches. Clearing cookies is easy, but doing so limits the functionality of some websites and makes some harder to navigate. The ease of use of a website should be evaluated before allowing or deleting cookies. Even though they improve the internet experience, they should be read carefully.  

Conclusion

Regardless of how a user chooses to handle cookies, it is advisable to remain on guard and clean up the system off cookies. Doing so will ensure that any unwanted malware is kept at a safe distance.  

About SNS

Secure Network Solutions (SNS) provides a quantifiable, risk-based approach to building a global structure of cybersecurity infrastructure based on internationally recognized frameworks and practices. We have been providing services and catering to clients across industries for the last 22 years. Write to us at [email protected] or visit us at www.snsin.com.