Cookies - an overview

Every time you access the Internet small files record various information about your surfing habits including your browser version, sites you have visited, advertisements you have clicked on many other aspects of your online searching are recorded and the information is able to be read by servers when you re visit a web site. The information is normally recorded via a small text file called a cookie.

Cookies are usually saved to your hard drive while browsing on the web. Once you have visited a web site and revisit the site again the original cookie that was saved to your computer will be requested by the web site you have revisited and information such as your preferences and configuration options for that site are read by the web site. A common example is if you visit a multi national web site and select the country you reside in to be redirected to the local version of the site. Then at a later date you return to that site and you are automatically taken to your country site.

Another common example is if you have logged into a web site that requires a username and password such as FaceBook.com then you log out and return at a later time, your login name will still be there.

In these respects, cookies improve your browsing experience and save you time and repetitive typing.

However, as is seen on most web sites there are adverts, wether they are Google ads or large intrusive ads. Cookies are used on these web sites to improve their marketing efforts and increase their profits. This is often done by tracking your search terms, your browsing behaviour, adverts you have clicked on and products you have purchased amongst other relevant information. This information is then analysed to create better marketing and sales campaigns.

Different types of Cookies

Session cookies (also known as temporary cookies) are saved in system memory (RAM) and are deleted when you close your browser.

Persistent cookies are saved to your hard drive for any period of time specified in the cookie. At the end of this time the cookie will expire and be deleted from your hard drive.

One year is usually the maximum time till a cookie expires except if you have a persistent cookie that contains login and password details, then the maximum time is usually 2 weeks. Persistent cookies with login details are usually saved to your computer only after asking a web site to save your details such as Yahoo.com email.

First-party cookie is the technical term for a cookie that tracks your activity across a single web site or a single domain name, for example FaceBook.com. In most cases the cookie assists our browsing experience ensuring the site remembers who we are.

Third-party cookies are frequently found on websites with adverts. Adverts on sites frequently come from servers owned and operated by a third-party advertising network such as DoubleClick or Google. Some of these ad networks put cookies on your machine and then track your browsing behaviour across multiple Web sites owned and operated by different organizations.

As the ad network learns more about your online browsing habits and they serve you ads related to your interests. Sites with third party cookies can often be seen when a site is slow to load and you can see several web site addresses in the bottom of the browser loading or waiting.

Privacy concerns regarding Cookies

Some people believe cookies are an invasion into personal privacy while others appreciate the fact that they can seamlessly have a personalised advertising campaign targeted directly at them. There are also security concerns that hackers may be able to access your cookies and attack your computer.

If you are not concerned about cookies then simply ignore them and let them expire in their due course or clear the clear the cookie cache when you are clearing your hard drive.

If you are concerned about third party cookies you have the option to only allow all first-party cookies and to block all third-party cookies.

You could block all cookies. With the architecture of the Web this is often not a practical idea as many sites will not function without cookies.

Alternatively you could set your browser to ask for permission to accept a cookie and accept and decline as you decide. This could become tedious and time consuming. Most browsers allow you to mark a site as safe or to block cookies from certain domain names and sites.

Configuring your Browser to manage Cookies

Google Chrome

Tools - Options - Under the Hood - Privacy.

In the 'Cookie settings' drop-down menu, select one of the following:

'Allow all cookies'

This is the default setting in Google Chrome. This option lets first-party and third-party websites set and receive cookies on web pages you visit. First-party cookies are set by the website you're visiting.

OR

'Block all cookies'

Prevent all cookies from being set by first-party and third-party websites.

After applying your setting click Close.

Mozilla Firefox 2 and 3

Delete Cookies when you close Mozilla FireFox:

Tools - Options - Preferences - Privacy panel (drop down menu) - I close Firefox - Delete Cookies when you close FireFox.

In the Privacy panel are also tick boxes to choose to accept cookies from third party sites and when to let them expire.

Internet Explorer 6 and 7

Tools - Internet Options - Privacy.

Click the Advanced button for a selection of options to manage cookies.

Deleting Cookies

Browsers have the option to delete all cookies in the cookie section previously mentioned or in the privacy options where all private information and history can be deleted.

Many Anti Virus and Spyware software packages will also delete cookies if you ask it to do so during a virus check.

There are also several software programs and browser add ons that will allow you to manage cookies which are suitable for keeping some cookies and deleting others. A search in your favourite search engine will reveal many results.