Should I Accept Website Cookies?

Website cookies exist in all corners of the web. Often, when visiting websites you probably receive a pop-up message asking if you wish to accept the website’s cookies. Depending on the prominence of the pop-up on the page, you may choose to ignore the pop-up, close the pop-up or accept the cookies. But have you ever wondered about the results of the decision you make when encountering the all-so-common cookies pop-up?

What are Cookies Used for on Websites?

Cookies possess multiple functions but, the essential purpose of a cookie serves to save the website visitor’s information. Websites use cookies to help optimize the user’s experience as well as collect data to help improve the website overall.

What exactly is a cookie?

First, you should know what a website is. Website cookies are packets of data a computer receives when visiting a page, then sends back with the same exact data. You cannot alter the data within a website cookie. When you visit a website, the website will store the packet of data on your computer.

Depending on the type of cookie, the packet of data can remain either for your entire session on the website or up until you delete the cookie or the cookie expires. Now you know what a cookie is, keep reading to find out what purpose cookies serve.

Behavioral Targeting

Many digital marketing agencies use behavioral targeting to provide web users with customized advertisements. You might be wondering, what is behavioral targeting in digital marketing? Behavioral targeting uses data such as web pages viewed, items viewed, time spent on a website, etc, to improve the overall ROI of digital marketing campaigns. By utilizing cookies to track specific data, digital marketers can collect information on users’ purchase behavior, website engagement, email campaign engagement, and app engagement to create behavioral advertising campaigns.

Cookie Profiling

Similar to behavioral targeting, cookie profiling uses cookies to track the data of users for the purpose of digital marketing. Unlike behavioral targeting, cookie profiling tracks the information of the user across multiple websites. Typically, digital marketers buy advertising rights to thousands of popular websites within specific website categories in order to conduct cookie profiling. Digital marketers use the information collected from cookies to build a profile around users in order to serve targeted advertisements. You can thank cookie profiling for showing you the same advertisements across multiple websites.

Session management

Another way websites use cookies includes session management. Session management refers to websites recognizing a user and recalling specific personal preferences for each user on the website. Cookies used for session management can also authenticate users to streamline the process of logging in, the whole reason you no longer have to write down your passwords in that old password book.

Personalization

Just like cookies allow websites to personalize user experiences, cookies also help marketers target advertisements to each individual user. In fact, marketers primarily use cookies for personalized advertisements. Cookies will gather information on users when they view certain items or visit specific pages of a website. Depending on the type of website cookie, the information gathered may remain as the user returns to the website or clear when the user leaves the website.

Tracking

Lastly, cookies monitor and keep track of specific actions viewers take on the website. By tracking what pages users visit and items users view, cookies gather information to help tailor advertisements to contribute towards behavioral targeting.

Accepting Cookies

Now that you have a better idea of what website cookies are and what website cookies are used for, you might want to know a little more about what exactly happens when you accept website cookies. Cookies act entirely behind the scenes, keep reading if you want to know how accepting those cookies can affect your own experience on websites.

What Happens When I Accept Cookies?

At this point, you have probably either decided you do not like how website cookies monitor and track your movements online, or you see some of the benefits and do not mind cookies. Regardless of your preferences websites often contain some cookies, essential to properly use the website. So what really happens when you accept website cookies?

A simple way to understand the process is thinking of cookies as a valet service:

• First, you give your car over to the valet attendant. You arrive on the website and the website server creates a pocket of data linked to you.
• Next, you receive a claim ticket to hold on to until you return. The cookies for the website you visit transfer from the website server to your browser without any alterations to the data. Each cookie possesses a special user ID specific to each individual user.
• Lastly, you go back to the valet to retrieve your car with your claim ticket. Your browser returns the cookies to the website server. The server reads your individual user ID and gathers your activity data from your visit to the website.

What are My Options?

When it comes to website cookies, you have little control over essential cookies but have the freedom to accept or decline some cookies. Some website servers can automatically accept cookies when you connect but, you may still have the option to change the cookie settings. With optional cookies, you can choose to accept, decline, or customize

Accepting Cookies

Many times, when you visit a new website you get the pop-up asking what you want to do about the website cookies. If you choose to accept all the cookies, you allow the website server to track your visit to the website to the fullest extent intended. As previously mentioned the cookies will optimize your visit to the website through session management, personalization, and tracking. Depending on the type of cookies your cookies may affect your experiences in future visits to the website as well as on visits to other websites.

Declining Cookies

Just like accepting cookies when you receive the initial website cookies pop-up, you can select to decline the website cookies as well. If you opt to decline all optional cookies you sacrifice optimization during your visit to the website for privacy. Some cookies which personalize your user experience on the website through methods like targeted advertisements will not track your visit to the page. On the other hand, some cookies essential to the operations of the website may still run. If you cannot decide between optimization and privacy and are asking yourself if you should delete website cookies, customizing your cookie settings might serve as your best option.

Customizing Cookies

Fortunately for us users of the web, we have the option to customize our cookies. Many websites do not force users to accept all cookies or decline all cookies, but rather also offer the option to select which cookies to accept and which to decline. On many websites, you can customize cookies by clicking the “more information” button on the cookie pop-up. From there, you will see a list including items such as required cookies, functionality, analytical, marketing, and personalization cookies. You can select which cookies you would like to accept throughout your visit to the website and which you would prefer to decline.

Should I Accept Website Cookies?

Luckily, websites typically provide the option of selecting whether or not you want to accept all cookies, decline all cookies, or accept some and decline others. But what factors should really influence your decision on accepting cookies and declining cookies? The following section walks you through the safety of accepting cookies as well as different types of cookies.

Safety of Accepting Cookies

Different factors will influence the safety of accepting cookies. Different cookies consist of different properties and functionalities. Ultimately, the decision on which cookies to accept and which cookies to decline comes down to personal preference. One tip to keep in mind: if a website seems suspicious for any reason, you may want to decline the cookies or just leave the website altogether.

SSL Certificates

SSLs or Secure Socket Layers provide another level of safety while browsing the web. Essentially, an SSL encrypts a user’s data while transferring the cookies between the user’s browser and the website server. By encrypting the cookies until reaching the intended recipient, hackers cannot intercept and steal the data as easily. Continue reading everything you need to know about SSL certificates.

First-Party Cookies vs. Third-Party Cookies

First-party cookies consist of cookies employed directly by the sites you visit. These cookies include data such as items you put in your shopping cart as you travel to different pages of the website or cookies recommending videos based on your previous watch history.

Third-party cookies include cookies utilized by parties unassociated with the website you visit. Some examples include cookies which provide you targeted ads across multiple websites or marketing companies who buy advertising rights to other websites.

Session Cookies and Persistent Cookies

A session cookie tracks and stores your information while you visit a page but does not save the information after leaving the website or when you return to the website. An example of a session cookie can include placing an item into a cart on a shopping website.

A persistent cookie returns as you return to the website using the cookie in order to maintain optimization as you leave and return to the page. An example of a persistent cookie can include the same recommended item coming back the next time you return to the website.

Safe Practices With Cookies

After reading all about the different types of cookies, you may wonder about safe practices when encountering website cookies. Numerous tools exist for your safety on the internet. A VPN or Virtual Private Network allows you to travel to websites while obscuring your own network. Some of the Best VPN services available provide other services as well, such as changing the location of your network to access additional features on certain websites. Additionally, separate browsers such as the DuckDuckGo Browser will help bolster your safety as you browse the web.

Future of Cookies

As technology evolves and time changes, so will website and marketing strategies. Marketing companies may find more efficient methods to provide personalized ads or browsers may stop accepting cookies. In the near future, Google will stop selling ads based on your browsing history. Regardless of what may soon come, you now know everything you need to know about website cookies.

Frequently Asked Questions About Website Cookies

1. What happens if I never accept cookies on any website?

If you consistently decline cookies, you’ll experience a less personalized but more private browsing experience. Many websites will still function, but you’ll lose conveniences like staying logged in, saved shopping carts, personalized recommendations, and customized settings. Some websites may not work properly without essential cookies, potentially leading to broken functionality or repeated login prompts. You might also see more generic, irrelevant advertisements instead of targeted ones. However, your browsing data won’t be tracked for marketing purposes, providing greater privacy protection. Note that some essential cookies required for basic website functionality may still be stored regardless of your choice.

2. Can cookies slow down my computer or browser?

Generally, cookies don’t significantly impact computer or browser performance since they’re small text files typically just a few kilobytes in size. However, if you have thousands of cookies accumulated over time, they might contribute to minor slowdowns during browser startup or when websites load. The bigger performance impact usually comes from the tracking scripts and advertisements that cookies enable rather than the cookies themselves. Regularly clearing old cookies can help maintain optimal browser performance. Modern browsers are efficient at managing cookies, so unless you have severe storage limitations or an extremely old computer, cookies shouldn’t cause noticeable performance issues.

3. Do I need to worry about cookies on my mobile device?

Mobile devices handle cookies similarly to desktop computers, but with some important differences. Mobile browsers store cookies just like desktop browsers, and the same privacy considerations apply. However, mobile apps often use different tracking methods beyond traditional web cookies, such as device identifiers and app-specific tracking technologies. When browsing on mobile, cookie banners might be more intrusive due to smaller screen sizes. Consider using privacy-focused mobile browsers or adjusting your browser’s cookie settings for better control. Many mobile operating systems also offer app tracking transparency features that complement cookie management.

4. How can I see what cookies a website has stored on my computer?

You can view stored cookies through your browser’s settings or developer tools. In most browsers, go to Settings > Privacy/Security > Cookies or Site Data to see a list of websites that have stored cookies. For detailed information, use Developer Tools (F12 key) and navigate to the Application or Storage tab to see individual cookies, their values, and expiration dates. This allows you to review what data each website has stored and delete specific cookies if desired. Some browsers also show cookie information by clicking the lock icon next to the website URL in the address bar.

5. Is there a difference between accepting cookies on secure (HTTPS) vs non-secure (HTTP) websites?

Yes, there’s a significant security difference. On HTTPS websites with SSL certificates, cookies are encrypted during transmission between your browser and the website server, making them much safer from interception by hackers. On non-secure HTTP websites, cookies are transmitted in plain text, making them vulnerable to man-in-the-middle attacks where malicious actors could steal your data. Always be more cautious about accepting cookies on non-secure websites, especially those handling sensitive information like login credentials or payment details. Modern browsers often warn users when submitting data on non-secure sites.

6. What’s the difference between blocking cookies and using incognito/private browsing mode?

These are different privacy approaches that can be used together or separately. Blocking cookies prevents websites from storing tracking data on your device, but websites can still see your IP address and other identifying information during your session. Incognito or private browsing mode prevents your browser from saving browsing history, cookies, and form data locally, but websites can still track you during that session using cookies and other methods. For maximum privacy, combine both: use incognito mode and block third-party cookies. Some browsers also offer enhanced privacy modes that block more tracking technologies beyond just cookies.

7. Can accepting cookies lead to identity theft or financial fraud?

Cookies themselves rarely directly cause identity theft or financial fraud since they typically don’t contain sensitive information like passwords or credit card numbers. However, they can contribute to privacy risks and targeted attacks in indirect ways. Tracking cookies build detailed profiles of your browsing habits that could be valuable to malicious actors. If cookies are stolen through website breaches or insecure connections, they might be used to impersonate you on certain websites. The bigger risks usually come from phishing attempts, malware, or data breaches rather than cookies themselves. Practice safe browsing habits and use strong, unique passwords for financial accounts.

8. Will rejecting cookies affect my ability to shop online or use social media?

Rejecting cookies will significantly impact your online shopping and social media experience. For e-commerce sites, you’ll lose shopping cart persistence (items disappear when you navigate between pages), saved preferences, and personalized recommendations. You’ll need to log in repeatedly, and checkout processes may be more cumbersome. Social media platforms heavily rely on cookies for functionality – rejecting them may prevent you from staying logged in, saving preferences, or accessing some features. However, most essential functions will still work. If you prioritize privacy, consider accepting only essential cookies or first-party cookies while blocking third-party tracking cookies to balance functionality with privacy protection.