The internet has always been a place where people can go to learn about new things or find the information they’re looking for.
But with the advent of online browsing, it’s also become a place where companies can track what people are doing on the web.
What are Browser Cookies?
When a visitor visits a website, the website can place cookies on the visitor’s computer.
These cookies are small files that the website writes to the visitor’s computer in order to keep track of the visitor’s activities on the website.
The cookies do not contain any personal information about the visitor and cannot be used to track the visitor’s movements outside of the website.
Cookies are used by websites to improve their performance by remembering certain details about how visitors use their site.
For example, if a visitor returns to a particular page on a website, again and again, that page may be given preferential treatment when they visit the website next time.
Brief History of Cookies
Cookies were invented by Lou Montulli, a computer programmer, in June 1994 while he was working at Netscape.
He called them “magic cookies”, derived from fortune cookies, because they contain special data, just like what fortune cookies are for.
What are 3rd Party Cookies?
Third-party cookies are cookies that are placed by a website other than the one you are browsing.
These cookies can be used to track your activity on the website and can be used to serve ads that are related to your interests.
Some websites may also use third-party cookies to collect data about how you use the website.
Are third-party cookies legal?
Consent is a key issue when it comes to cookies – unless the user hasn’t given their consent, third-party cookies cannot be used.
In general, consent must be obtained from the individual before a cookie can be placed on their computer.
Other types of cookies
Different types of browser cookies can be used for various reasons, such as collecting information about a user’s browsing habits or tracking the effectiveness of online marketing campaigns.
Here is a rundown of three types of browser cookies:
1. Session cookies: Session cookies are a type of cookie that is used to keep track of a user’s session. This means that the cookie will expire after the user logs out of their account or disconnects their device from the network.
2. Persistent cookies: Persistent cookies are cookies that are stored on a user’s device and that remain active even after the user logs out of their account or closes their browser.
3. First-party cookies: First-party cookies are set by the website you’re visiting. This means that the website knows who you are and can use that information to personalize your experience on the site.
The Pros and Cons of 3rd Party Cookies
There are many reasons why cookies are useful, but here are just a few:
- Cookies also allow websites to track how often people visit their sites, which helps them make changes to their content or marketing campaigns based on what they find most successful.
- Cookies can help website owners keep track of how much traffic they are receiving and help them to improve the speed and performance of their websites.
- Cookies can also help a website measure how users are interacting with it, and they can provide customized content to people who visit the site again.
- Cookies can be used to prevent you from having to fill in the same information repeatedly on different pages of a website. If you forget your login name or password, a cookie will help you log back in
- Cookies can also be used to remember your language settings so that you can continue using a website in the language that you prefer without having to re-enter your details each time.
There are also some disadvantages to using cookies.
- Cookies can track a user’s activity across different websites and can be used to compile a detailed profile of a person’s interests.
- Cookies may cause problems on specific devices if users disable them, such as making it difficult to log in or using certain services
- Cookies can have a negative effect on your website’s performance speed if they are used too frequently.
How are cookies used in affiliate marketing?
Cookies are a critical part of affiliate marketing for tracking conversions.
When a visitor interacts with an affiliate link, the cookie helps to track which page on the site was visited and whether or not any conversion occurred.
This information is essential in helping affiliates measure success and improve their overall affiliate marketing strategy.
For example, if someone visited a website and clicked on an affiliate link in the footer of the page, cookies would be set on that computer to track that conversion.
Why is Google phasing out cookies?
Since its inception, Google has relied on cookies to provide a variety of services and features on its Chrome browser.
However, the company announced that in late 2024 that it will be phasing out cookies in favor of a new system.
This change is likely to shift the web giant’s website experience closer to that of its competitors, who are already using this new system.
The new system, known as Privacy Sandbox, is more secure because it prevents websites from collecting data and eliminates the possibility of hackers accessing personal information by exploiting cookie vulnerabilities.
What happens when you disable third-party cookies?
If you disable third-party cookies on your browser, some features of the website may not function correctly.
Disabling cookies will also prevent third-party companies from collecting information about your browsing habits on our website.
You also wouldn’t see targeted ads whenever you’re on a website.
Does removing cookies remove passwords?
Many people believe that removing cookies will automatically remove their passwords, while others believe that cookies only store login information – not passwords.
The truth is that removing website cookies does not necessarily remove user usernames and passwords unless you delete them from your browser’s password manager.
Is a session ID the same as a cookie?
A session ID is a unique identifier that is assigned to a session when a user visits a website.
Cookies are small files that are stored on the user’s computer, and they are used by websites to track the activities of individual users.
A session ID is different from cookies because cookies are set by websites and remain on the user’s computer until they are deleted, while session ID is generated by websites and expires after a certain time period.
What is cookie hijacking?
Cookie hijacking, also known as session hijacking, is the practice of accessing a user’s cookies without their permission.
This can be done by malware or even simply by clicking on a link that takes users to another site where their cookies are being stolen.
This type of attack is also common on public wifi networks because users are less likely to be careful about what files they send over the network.
Cookie hijacking can have serious consequences for users who do not know how to protect their cookies.
It allows attackers to track their movements online and data theft is possible if passwords or other confidential information is stored in cookies.
How do you prevent cookie hijacking?
There are a number of practices that can prevent session hijacking, but it’s important to be aware of them all so you can take the necessary precautions.
Here are some key tips:
1. Use strong passwords. The best way to protect yourself from session hijacking is to use strong passwords. This means creating passwords that are both unique and difficult to guess. You should also change your password regularly, and never leave your login information unprotected.
2. Always use HTTPS when possible. When you visit a website, make sure to use HTTPS if possible. This will encrypt your traffic and help protect you against session hijacking attacks.
3. Avoid downloading software from websites that you don’t trust. Do not download applications or programs from websites that you do not trust. These could be fake or infected with malware, which will infect your device.
4. Use two-factor authentication when possible. If you can, use two-factor authentication when logging into your online accounts. This will help protect against session hijacking attacks and keep your data secure.
5. Use firewalls and antivirus software to protect your computer. Be sure to install antivirus software on all devices that access the internet, in order to protect yourself from potential malicious activity.
Final Thoughts
Cookies are a staple in the online world, playing an important role in website function and affiliate marketing.
They allow websites to remember information about a user’s preferences so that the user is not repeatedly prompted for the same information.
This saves time and data for both the user and the website as cookies allow users to navigate through websites more easily.
But since Google will be phasing third-party cookies soon, this could have some serious consequences for websites and advertisers that use them.
Without them, it can be difficult for marketers and website owners to understand how to work around this problem.
What about you? Do you think third-party cookies should be banned? Share your thoughts below in the comments section.
