What are cookies? The hidden bots tracking what you do
Understanding website cookies and online privacy risks
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We all know the endless questions: Do you want to accept cookies on this site? Approve essential and inessential cookies? Do you want to consent to sharing with approved sponsors?
Accessing almost any web content will involve you being exposed to cookies, whether you consent to them or not. It’s important for everything to know what cookies are, how they work, and the many different kinds of cookies out there.
While certain types of cookies are important for the operations of websites and services, many are far from essential: they are in back tracking technologies meant to collect data about what you do online and transfer it to third-parties.
What is a VPN?
Cookies Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, but they may regenerate themselves. To remove them completely, clear cookies and browser data, disable Flash storage, and use privacy-focused browser extensions.
It depends on your preference. Accepting essential cookies is necessary for website functionality, but you can block tracking and advertising cookies for better privacy.
There are multiple types, including session, persistent, authentication, tracking, first-party, third-party, zombie, essential, performance, functionality, and advertising cookies.
No, cookies themselves do not store passwords in plain text. However, stolen cookies can be used in session hijacking attacks to impersonate users.
Many cookies are harmless, but some pose serious privacy risks. Regularly clearing cookies and using privacy-focused browser settings can enhance security.
About the authors
Casey Ford, PhD
Communications LeadTable of contents
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