What are cookies in website?
In this digital era website plays an important role in our daily lives. Whether we are shopping online, gathering information or connecting with other. website have become an integral part of our online experience.
However there is an important element that allows website to provide a personalized and user friendly experience which is - Website Cookie .
In this article we will explore what are website cookies, how they work, how cookies can be dangerous, things related to cookies should be taken care of and many more important things you should know about cookies.
We all have heard about cookies on the internet there is an option to allow cookies, disable cookies but first of all lets understand
What are Cookies ?
Cookies are some files that are stored in the cache memory of your internet browser. They are commonly used by websites to remember information about the user and their preference.
Where do those cookie files come from ?
Whenever you visit any cookie enabled website from any browser. For example you visited Flipkart, Amazon or any other online shopping or ticket booking site or you visited any cookie enabled website. It depends on our browser, however if we have enabled those cookies form the browser then that website will drop a cookie on our computer and will implant a file on your computer on its behalf
After that what we have searched on that website, have we bought or not, what are the activities we have done, have we booked any flight or train ticket. So all that information reaches the website with the help of cookie. So that when you visit that website for the first time, you can see the recommended results.
Cookies help to store your data that you have seen through the way you have done the internet.
For example user id, password that if you have logged in then whether you have stored it in your browser or not that is a difficult matter. Even if you close the window if it is a cookie enabled website you will get the same id, password as soon as you go to that window again
It is not stored in the browser but with the help of cookies it has been extracted from the website which is there.
Now lets talk about
How cookies can be harmful ?
Cookies make it possible for the website to remember essential information such as what pages users browse, but the most dangerous thing come when we talk about third party. You must have seen that many types of ads are running on the website, some are pop up ads that website implant cookies on your computer after that it can take away all your privacy.
Third party cookies not work on anyone website, for example if you are visiting Amazon website then only amazon cookie will be working there. But if there is a third party cookie, then it will work across all the website you have visited. with the help of that cookie that can steal your login information such as card details like name, expiry
How to manage cookies ?
Option is that you go to the settings of any of your internet browser which you use you will find an option
Block all Cookies
This means that it will block all cookies whether it is from a trusted website or from a third party. This option will be helpful for the people who do not trust much on online things or those who want to protect their privacy this option is best for them to choose.
Apart from this there is an option that
Block third party cookies
This means that cookies coming from the website you are visiting or through ads from third party advertisement or different pop up ads coming through them you can block them.
Another option is also there if you visit a website through a browser it will ask you every time whether to
Enable cookies or not
So its your choice whether you want to enable or not.
If you are visiting from normal trusted website then there is no problem but if it is a malicious website, there will be running different website what they will plant in the browser you don't know . In such case it would be better to block them, If you keep all these things in mind then your digital life can become a little more safe.
Just to Wrap Up
Cookies are some files that are stored in the cache memory of your internet browser. They are commonly used by websites to remember information about the user and their preference.
The main purpose of cookies is to enhance the user experience by remembering information's such as login credentials, shopping cart content and language preference
Cookies also raise concerns about privacy and security and can collect personal information
If your are visiting a malicious website, there will be running different website what they will plant in the browser you don't know . In such case it would be better to block them, If you keep all these things in mind then your digital life can become a little more safe.
