A cookie, generally known as a website cookie HTTP cookie, or a browsing
cookie is an encrypted file that is found on browser directories. A
cookie is created over a website when you happen to browse a website.
The website then sends the information to the website browser which
works upon creating a text file. Each time you go back to the similar
website, browser sends the file to the server of the website. It is a
cookie that further assists you in keeping a track of the movements
within a website, allows resuming to the same place where you left,
remembers your login details, preferences, selecting theme and other
functionalities. Moreover, it help you to regulate how widgets, your
advertisements appear and other elements function.
Types of Cookies:
1. Tracking Cookies: Such type of cookies are used to save user preferences. There are many
websites that provide the facility to the users to customize the
information available in the form of layouts or themes. All these
alterations allow easy accessing and browsing enabling users to leave a
personal element on the website.
2. Session Cookies: These
type of cookies are utilized by the servers for storage of information
pertaining to page activities performed by the user. This assist users
in landing on the same area where they left last. Web pages doesn't have
their own memories and it is the cookies that tell server about the
pages to be showed to the users so that they don't have to start the
navigation again. Cookies perform just like a bookmark that can save
information like the shopping cart remembers what items you have stored
there.
Privacy and Security Issues
When it comes to
security and privacy of cookies, they doesn't fall into the category.
This is due to the fact that cookies do not possess a virus spreading
feature nor are they in a plain text format. Just because they cannot be
arranged into codes, there are no chances of self-execution or
execution.
Even though, cookies can be used for performing
unethical activities. The fact that it stores the user's history and
preferences on a particular site or different sites, they can used as a
spyware for advertising purposes. There are also many websites that have
already built privacy setting allowing the acceptance of different
cookies while disposing the same after you have visited other websites.
Things to remember for Safe Web browsing:
With
number of websites using cookies as a default type, it is almost
impossible to avoid them. If you will choose to put a halt to the use of
cookies, you will automatically cut yourself with other widely used
sites like Gmail, Youtube, etc. Below mentioned are factors that must be
considered to ensure safe, reliable cookie based browsing:
1.Customize: Reorganize browser cookie settings that exhibit your comfort level with the cookie security.
2.Expiry Date: Customize your browser by setting an expiry date so that the
information stored gets deleted automatically after that desired time
duration.
Thus, it is extremely hard to refrain from cookies if
you are willing to enjoy browsing with best sites. By comprehending the
way they operate and work, you can take desired steps to ensure
confidentiality.
