Perhaps you should pass on that cookie
Cookies have been around for a while. But recently, we’ve all been inundated with pop-ups promoting us to grant access to cookies! Here’s why and what to do.
What is a cookie?
HTTP cookies, sometimes called internet cookies, are small files that the websites put on your device (desktop, laptop, tablet, smartphone) to store data about YOU.
With the right cookie, websites open faster, can skip the sign-in and pick up where you left off. Websites can tailor content for your specific location, pre-fill repetitive forms and keep your items in your shopping cart for your inevitable return, thanks to cookies. Websites use cookies like a fine concierge that remembers you and all your preferences.
See, cookies are good. Until they are not.
Cookies also take up space on your device, compromise your privacy and security and make you a prime target for ads …. Or worse, hackers.
What’s the best cookie?
Well, that’s a loaded question! (Oatmeal raisin, obviously). In practice, there are three types of internet cookies.
Persistent cookies: These cookies store data for (almost) forever. Often, they store usernames and passwords.
Session cookies – These cookies store short-term data (as the name implies), which is automatically deleted when the browser closes.
Third-party cookies: These cookies track you everywhere, it collects your personal browsing history and other relevant data and report on you and your activities to advertisers. They come from ads embedded in websites you visit. These potentially dangerous cookies can be exploited by hackers.
Yikes! How do I block bad cookies?
Since not all cookies are harmful, no single button toggle will keep the good and toss the bad. You must do the work. Let’s call it … a convenience tax payable in time and effort rather than dollars and sense.
Here’s a link with instructions to clear cookies and the cache for each browser (Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Safari) on each operating system (Windows, Chrome, macOS, Android, iOS). Start deleting cookies from ‘one of’ and rarely visited websites. And say goodbye to saved passwords; use a good password manager instead.
For the TL:DR version – restrict third-party cookies as they serve you no purpose, keep persistent cookies only for your favourite websites, and periodically review and delete unwanted cookies on every device.
Ok. So why am I getting all these cookie messages now?
On both sides of the pond, the European Union (EU) and the Government of California in the United States passed laws designed to protect internet users. Though they have the same goal, the implementation of each law is different. And, though you may not live in either the EU or California, developers find it easier to apply the same restrictions to all website visitors.
With the implementation of the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and California’s Consumer Privacy Act (CPA), websites must either inform users that they are being tracked or give us the option to opt out of tracking.
I know this will be a pain, but NEVER ACCEPT ALL when prompted to allow cookies. Accept necessary cookies only (remember some cookies are required for websites to function and enhance the browsing experience). Third-party cookies are never needed. Do not allow third-party cookies.
Safe surfing.
