What Are Internet Cookies and What Do They Do?

Last Updated on August 7, 2024 by Editorial

Internet cookies are small data that websites store on your device to remember information about you. These tiny files help enhance your browsing experience by remembering your login details, personal preferences, and even what items you’ve added to your shopping cart. Despite their size, cookies play a significant role in making the web more personalized and user-friendly.

In this article, we’ll dive deep into internet cookies. We’ll explore the different types of cookies, such as first-party and third-party cookies, and explain how they work behind the scenes to improve your online experience. We’ll also cover important topics like privacy and security concerns, which have become increasingly relevant as cookies are used for tracking and profiling users.

So read on to the end to find out more.

History of Internet Cookies

Lou Montulli, a programmer at Netscape Communications, invented cookies in 1994. He designed them to solve the problem of keeping track of items in a virtual shopping cart without requiring users to re-enter information continuously. This innovation allowed websites to store small data on a user’s device, making web browsing more efficient and user-friendly.

In 1995, Netscape introduced cookies in their web browser, Netscape Navigator 2.0. This marked the first widespread use of cookies, setting the stage for their adoption across the internet. The concept quickly caught on, and other browsers soon incorporated cookie support, recognizing their potential to improve user experience by storing login information, preferences, and other data.

As cookies became more common, privacy concerns began to emerge. In 1996, the Financial Times published an article highlighting the potential for cookies to track users’ online behavior without their knowledge. This sparked a broader conversation about internet privacy and led to the development of regulations and best practices for cookie use. 

Over the years, various laws, such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), have been enacted to address these concerns, ensuring users have more control over their data.

Types of Internet Cookies

There are different types of internet cookies, each serving different functions. Here are the most notable ones.

First-Party Internet Cookies

First-party cookies are created and stored by the website you are visiting. They help websites remember your preferences, login details, and other settings to improve browsing experience. For example, if you visit a news website and customize the layout or language, a first-party cookie will store these preferences for your next visit. These cookies are essential for functionality and personalization.

Third-Party Cookies

Third-party cookies are created by domains other than the one you are currently visiting. Advertisers and social media platforms often use them to track your online activity across different websites. For instance, if you see an ad for a product on multiple sites after viewing it once, third-party cookies are likely at play. These cookies help in targeted advertising but raise significant privacy concerns.

Session Cookies

Session cookies, also known as transient cookies, are temporary and only last for your browsing session. They store information that changes or is needed temporarily, like items in a shopping cart or form inputs. Once you close your browser, session cookies are deleted. They are crucial for temporary data storage functionalities, ensuring smooth and continuous user interactions during a single session.

Persistent Cookies

Persistent or permanent cookies remain on your device even after you close your browser. They have an expiration date set within the cookie, ranging from a few days to several years. These cookies store long-term data such as login credentials and language preferences. For example, a persistent cookie allows you to stay logged in to your email account without re-entering your credentials every time you visit.

Secure Cookies

Secure cookies are only transmitted over encrypted connections, such as HTTPS. This ensures that the data within the cookie is protected from eavesdropping and man-in-the-middle attacks. Secure cookies are typically used for sensitive information, such as login details or financial transactions, ensuring that this data remains confidential and secure during transmission.

HTTPOnly Cookies

HTTPOnly cookies are designed to be inaccessible to client-side scripts like JavaScript, providing an additional layer of security. These cookies store information that malicious scripts should not directly manipulate or access. For example, an HTTPOnly cookie can store session tokens to prevent cross-site scripting (XSS) attacks, enhancing the security of web applications by restricting access to sensitive data.

How Internet Cookies Work

Let’s investigate how internet cookies are created, stored, and managed.

Creation and Storage of Internet Cookies

Websites create cookies when you visit them, using HTTP headers or JavaScript. The site sends cookies to your browser and stores them on your device. These cookies contain data like user preferences or session information. For example, an e-commerce site might create a cookie to keep track of items in your shopping cart, ensuring they remain there even if you navigate away from the page.

Structure and Components of an Internet Cookie

A cookie has several components: name, value, domain, path, expiration date, and security flags. The name-value pair stores the actual data, such as user preferences. The domain and path specify where the cookie is valid. The expiration date determines how long the cookie will persist on your device. Security flags like Secure and HttpOnly enhance cookie security by restricting their transmission and accessibility. Each component is crucial in defining the cookie’s scope and security.

Mechanisms of Internet Cookie Transmission

Cookies are transmitted via HTTP headers between the browser and the server. When you visit a website, your browser sends any relevant cookies to the server, and the server can send new or updated cookies back to your browser. This exchange happens automatically, enabling the website to recognize you and remember your preferences or login status. Secure cookies are only sent over HTTPS connections, ensuring the data remains encrypted during transmission.

Reading and Managing Internet Cookies by Browsers

Browsers read cookies automatically and send them to the corresponding domain with every request. Users can manage cookies through browser settings, where they can view, delete, or block cookies. Tools and extensions offer advanced cookie management, allowing users to control which sites can set cookies and how long they can persist. Proper cookie management is essential for maintaining privacy and security, preventing unwanted tracking, and protecting sensitive information.

Uses of Internet Cookies

Internet cookies play a crucial role in enhancing web functionality and user experience. They have several key uses, from managing user sessions to personalizing content. Here are some of the key uses

User Authentication

Cookies help authenticate users by securely storing log in information. When you log in to a website, a cookie keeps you logged in during your session. This cookie allows you to navigate the site without needing to re-enter your credentials on every page, ensuring a smooth and secure browsing experience.

Personalization and Preferences

Cookies store user preferences, enabling websites to provide a personalized experience. For example, a news site might remember your preferred language and content sections, displaying them every time you visit. This personalization makes your interaction with the site more relevant and engaging, enhancing overall satisfaction.

Shopping Carts and E-Commerce

Cookies are essential for managing shopping carts in e-commerce. They remember items added to your cart as you browse the site, even if you leave and return later. This functionality ensures a seamless shopping experience, preventing the loss of selected items and making it easier to complete purchases.

Analytics and Performance Tracking

Cookies are widely used for analytics and performance tracking. They collect user behavior data, such as visited pages, time spent on the site, and navigation patterns. This information helps website owners understand how users interact with their site, identify areas for improvement, and optimize the user experience.

Advertising and Targeting

Cookies enable targeted advertising by tracking user behavior across different websites. They help advertisers display relevant ads based on your interests and browsing history. For instance, if you search for running shoes, you might see ads for sportswear on other sites. This targeted approach increases the effectiveness of advertising campaigns and ensures users see more relevant content.

Privacy and Security Risks

While useful, Internet cookies come with several privacy and security risks. Understanding and mitigating these risks is crucial for maintaining online privacy and security.

Tracking and Profiling

Cookies can track your online activities, creating detailed profiles of your browsing habits. Third-party cookies, in particular, are notorious for this. Advertisers and data brokers use these profiles to target you with ads or sell your data. This tracking can feel invasive and compromise your privacy.

Solution: Use browser settings to block third-party cookies and install privacy-focused browser extensions like uBlock Origin or Privacy Badger. Regularly clear your cookies to minimize tracking.

Cross-Site Tracking

Cross-site tracking occurs when third-party cookies follow you across multiple websites, gathering data on your behavior. This data can be used to create comprehensive profiles without your knowledge or consent.

Solution: Enable browser features like “Do Not Track” and use browsers prioritizing privacy, such as Mozilla Firefox or Brave. Consider using a secure VPN to obscure your online activities further.

Data Breaches and Cookie Hijacking

Cookies can store sensitive information, such as session tokens and login credentials. If attackers intercept these cookies through packet sniffing or cross-site scripting (XSS), they can hijack your sessions and access your accounts.

Solution: Ensure websites use HTTPS to encrypt data transmitted between your browser and the server. Regularly update your browser and avoid using public Wi-Fi for sensitive activities unless connected to a secure VPN.

Cookie Theft

Cookie theft can occur through various means, such as malware or man-in-the-middle attacks. Stolen cookies can give attackers unauthorized access to your accounts and personal information.

Solution: Keep your antivirus software up to date and be cautious about clicking on suspicious links or downloading unknown files. Use strong, unique passwords for different accounts and enable two-factor authentication (2FA) wherever possible.

Lack of Transparency and Consent

Many websites need to clearly explain their use of cookies or obtain proper user consent. This lack of transparency can lead to users unknowingly sharing more data than intended.

Solution: Use browser extensions like Ghostery or Privacy Badger to see and control what cookies are being set. Be mindful of cookie consent banners and adjust your preferences accordingly.

Misuse by Malicious Websites

Some websites use cookies for malicious purposes, such as tracking your activities or injecting ads. These cookies can degrade your browsing experience and compromise your privacy.

Solution: Use a reputable ad blocker to prevent malicious cookies from being set. Regularly review and delete cookies stored in your browser settings.

Wrapping Up

As you can see, internet cookies make online browsing easier but can be a devastating risk in the wrong hands. They help websites know what you need, significantly reducing the time you spend looking for what you need. 

You can mitigate all security and privacy risks by changing your browser settings, using private browsers, or subscribing to a reputable and secure VPN. Whatever you choose, ensure you always stay on your toes.