What are cookies in computers?
Also known as browser cookies or tracking cookies, cookies are small,
often encrypted text files, located in browser directories. They are
used by web developers to help users navigate their websites efficiently
and perform certain functions. Due to their core role of
enhancing/enabling usability or site processes, disabling cookies may
prevent users from using certain websites.
Cookies are created when a user's browser loads a particular website.
The website sends information to the browser which then creates a text
file. Every time the user goes back to the same website, the browser
retrieves and sends this file to the website's server. Computer Cookies
are created not just by the website the user is browsing but also by
other websites that run ads, widgets, or other elements on the page
being loaded. These cookies regulate how the ads appear or how the
widgets and other elements function on the page.For Managing cookies for
different browsers see here
Standard uses for browser cookies
Website servers set cookies to help authenticate the user if the user
logs in to a secure area of the website. Login information is stored in a
cookie so the user can enter and leave the website without having to
re-enter the same authentication information over and over.
Session Cookies are also used by the server to store information about
user page activities so users can easily pick up where they left off on
the server's pages. By default, web pages really don't have any
'memory'. Cookies tell the server what pages to show the user so the
user doesn't have to remember or start navigating the site all over
again. Cookies act as a sort of “bookmark” within the site. Similarly,
cookies can store ordering information needed to make shopping carts
work instead of forcing the user to remember all the items the user put
in the shopping cart.
Persistent or tracking Cookies are also employed to store user
preferences. Many websites allow the user to customize how information
is presented through site layouts or themes. These changes make the site
easier to navigate and/or lets user leave a part of the user's
“personality” at the site. For Information on session and persistent and
tracking cookies, see here
Cookie security and privacy issues
Cookies are NOT viruses. Cookies use a plain text format. They are not
compiled pieces of code so they cannot be executed nor are they
self-executing. Accordingly, they cannot make copies of themselves and
spread to other networks to execute and replicate again. Since they
cannot perform these functions, they fall outside the standard virus
definition.
Cookies CAN be used for malicious purposes though. Since they store
information about a user's browsing preferences and history, both on a
specific site and browsing among several sites, cookies can be used to
act as a form of spyware. Many anti-spyware products are well aware of
this problem and routinely flag cookies as candidates for deletion after
standard virus and/or spyware scans.See here for some privacy issues
and concerns.
The way responsible and ethical web developers deal with privacy issues
caused by cookie tracking is by including clear descriptions of how
cookies are deployed on their site. If you are a web developer and need
advice on implementation of cookies and a privacy policy, we suggest you
contact marketing specialists who offer search engine optimisation
services. These privacy policies should explain what kind of information
is collected and how the information is used. Organizations using the
cookies initiative started by IAB Europe include: InviteMedia
Networkadvertising.org : andAntor
Most browsers have built in privacy settings that provide differing
levels of cookie acceptance, expiration time, and disposal after a user
has visited a particular site. Backing up your computer can give you the
peace of mind that your files are safe.
Other cookie-based threats
Tumbrl: https://www.tumblr.com/policy/en/privacy
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/help/cookies/
Twitter: https://support.twitter.com/articles/20170514
Twitter (set up): https://twitter.com/settings/security
Google+: http://www.google.it/intl/it/policies/technologies/cookies/
Google+ (set up): http://www.google.it/intl/it/policies/technologies/managing/
Youtube: http://www.google.it/intl/it/policies/privacy/
Pinterest: https://about.pinterest.com/it/terms-service
Adsense: http://www.google.com/policies/technologies/ads/
Mosaicoon: https://plavidnetwork.com/cookie-policy-third-parts/
Namesco: https://publisher.simply.com/it/pp.php
Ebuzzing: http://www.ebuzzing.com/it/privacy-policy/
DialyMotion: http://www.dailymotion.com/us/legal/privacy
AdvDoctor: https://www.advdoctor.com/it/privacy
Chrome:
https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/95647?hl=it
Firefox:
https://support.mozilla.org/it/kb/Gestione%20dei%20cookie
Internet Explorer:
http://windows.microsoft.com/it-it/windows7/how-to-manage-cookies-in-internet-explorer-9
Opera:
http://help.opera.com/Windows/10.00/it/cookies.html
Safari:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1677?viewlocale=it_IT
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