Internet privacy has been making headlines recently. Many people now express concerns about the security of their online activities, and for good reason. While the internet is incredibly empowering, it can also pose risks to the everyday user. Internet cookies often enter into various debates over online privacy. Some insist that they prey on innocent users, yet others celebrate their endless practical applications. But just what are internet cookies, anyway?
The Rise of Internet Cookies
At its core, the internet is simply data—and a lot of it. By some estimates, users send and receive over 150,000 gigabytes of internet traffic data every single second. Website traffic statistics alone are truly staggering if you stop and think about them.
Since their inception in the 1990s, cookies (HTTP, browser, or website cookies) have transformed the way most users interact with the internet. Web servers create these small blocks of data and store them on a user’s device to improve their experience in many ways. Cookies may allow users to access certain kinds of content, navigate websites using their accounts, and even manage online shopping carts. They can also personalize and streamline internet sessions by remembering devices over time.
Most web browsers enable cookies by default. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing. By supporting cookies, browsers ensure that websites function as
intended by developers. Without them,
user experiences would suffer severely. For instance, they may have to log in to new pages separately, and ordering multiple items online might be next to impossible.
Types of Internet Cookies
There are many types of cookies on the internet today. They’re often named for their specific use cases. Here’s a brief overview of some of the most common.
1. Session Cookies
Session cookies only exist while a user navigates a particular website. These temporary pieces of data expire once the web browser closes. Session cookies help some websites maintain a consistent state over short periods of time.
2. Persistent Cookies
By contrast, persistent cookies only expire after a specific amount of time. They’re also known as tracking cookies, as websites and advertisers can use them to collect information about user’s browsing habits. However, persistent cookies can also enhance user experiences by keeping them logged into accounts long-term.
3. Secure Cookies
Secure cookies are only sent over encrypted connections like HTTPS. This means criminals are less likely to expose their contents when eavesdropping on network traffic.
4. Cookie Walls
Some websites feature a popup that blocks users from accessing content unless they “consent” to allow some or all cookies. These so-called cookie walls may be legally dubious if they don’t truly allow users to opt out.
5. First-Party Cookies
First-party cookies match the domain shown in the web browser’s address bar. They allow websites to collect on-page data, remember user settings like preferred languages, and ensure a positive ecommerce experience. Without them, users likely couldn’t add multiple items to an online shopping cart because the cart wouldn’t save changes between different webpages.
6. Third-Party Cookies
When people express concerns about internet privacy, third-party cookies may be on their mind. These cookies belong to a domain other than the one in the browser’s address bar. Third-party cookies are often contained within digital advertisements, and they may track users’ browsing history across multiple websites for extended periods of time.
In an attempt to avoid potential negative effects of third-party cookies, some browsers now block them by default. Among them are Brave, Firefox, and newer versions of Safari. Chrome also blocks third-party cookies during incognito mode, and it may entirely block them by default in 2024.
What Are Cookies Used for on Websites?
Internet cookies are what allow many websites to function properly. That’s not to say that concerns about privacy are misguided. However, the modern internet we’ve come to know and love simply wouldn’t be the same without them.
Ecommerce websites rely on first-party session and persistent cookies. This allows them to create a seamless shopping cart experience for customers. For instance, when a user logs in to an account, session cookies keep them logged in as they move from page to page. If they add an item to their cart, session cookies remember their selection even if they click the “back” button.
Persistent cookies can save abandoned carts for future sessions if users get distracted and close their browser. The website may even send an email reminding them to complete the transaction. These personalized retargeting campaigns often deliver greater conversion rates over time.
Persistent cookies also serve to personalize users’ internet experiences. They can save passwords, account names, or contact information, keep users logged in across multiple sessions, remember their unique preferences, and suggest content that aligns with their past choices.
Web browsers often store cookies and local copies of webpages in their cache. This allows previously visited webpages to reload quickly so users can pick up where their session left off. Cached data generally improves browsing experiences, but it can pile up and eventually slow things down. Clearing a browser’s cache may resolve various errors, though it might also erase cookies that save user data.
The Cookie Crumbles
Third-party cookies may be on their way out, but don’t worry. Your favorite ecommerce websites will still function as intended, and you’ll still be able to target specific demographics with Google Ads. Ongoing debates about online privacy may also empower internet users to reclaim their agency by better understanding their options. They may even jumpstart the adoption of new advertising alternatives.
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