If you are a frequent internet browser, then you must have encountered this word "cookies". Have you ever wondered What this thing is & Why every website you enter ask to accept cookies? if you are still not aware of what cookies are and how these function on internet? We'll let you through this article to familiarize you about "cookies".
Understand Cookies?
Actually, Cookies are small packets of data that are stored on your device (computer or mobile) when you visit a website. These cookies are used to store information about your browsing habits, preferences, and other personal data that may be relevant to your online experience. Most of the website ask for the permission to accept cookies when we browse them on internet. Accepting these cookies will allow internet to remember your browsing preferences and internet usage habits.
How do cookies work on the internet?
Actually, cookies work by sending a packets of data, known as a "cookie," from a website to your web browser. Whenever, a user visits that website again, web browser sends the cookies again to website, enabling it to recognize the user and his browsing habits. Moreover, there are two types of cookies known as session cookies & persistent cookies. Usually, session cookies are stored temporarily and deleted when a user close his web browser. But on the other hand, Persistent cookies stays for longer period of time in User's device and not vanished until deleted manually.
There are various purposes for which cookies are used on internet. Some of them including:
Tracking your browsing habits and preferences:
Most important aim for the using cookies on internet is to track users preferences and tailor the website experience to users interests. For example, if a user is fond of sports and often visit sports website for news, then websites uses these cookies to show sports related articles when you visit.
Customizing advertising:
These cookies serves advertisers to show yo ads relevant to users preferences. If someone is fond of shopping latest gadgets & visits shopping website quite often to browse and buy his favorite gadgets. Then, this user may see ads for latest gadgets & products when you visit other websites.
Enhancing security:
Cookies play a significant role in enhancing the security user's device. Cookies stores the personal data of the user by storing information such as login credentials of websites etc. This helps the user's account to prevent any unauthorized access.
Measuring website performance:
Cookies also helps website owners to track users interaction with their website. It also help website owner to track which content is performing good. This information can helps them to improve the website's performance and user experience.
Are cookies safe to use?
Generally, cookies are considered safe as they do not pose any serious threat or malware. Cookies also don't contain any personal data/information of the users. However, users should be aware of the potential risks associated with cookies, such as:
Tracking your online activities:
Some cookies may track your internet browsing activities, including the websites you visit and the ads you click on. This information is shared with third parties for marketing purposes and show you personalized ads. This sometimes can be very annoying when your are shown by same types of ads again and again.
Storing sensitive information:
As we mentioned earlier, cookies uses the users sensitive data, such as login credentials and passwords. After storing these cookies, this sensitive information remain saved on your device. If your device is lost or stolen, your important data could be accessed by unauthorized parties and there are chances of being misused.
Slowing down your device:
If you browse quite often on internet then there will be large number of cookies stored on your device, that can eventually slow down your device and device's performance.
To protect your privacy and security online, it is important to be aware of the cookies that are being used on your device and to manage them accordingly.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, cookies are small packets of data that are stored on a user's device when they visit a website. These cookies serve various purposes, including tracking browsing habits and preferences, customizing advertising, enhancing security, and measuring website performance. While cookies are generally considered safe, users should be aware of potential risks such as tracking online activities, storing sensitive information, and slowing down device performance. It is important for users to manage their cookies and be aware of the types of cookies that are being used on their devices to protect their privacy and security online.
