Cookies, Privacy, and Cybersecurity

Cookies improve user experience and convenience of sites. Studies show that over 20% of websites adopt persistent cookies that are kept on users' devices to assist in remembering information regarding site settings, preferences, login credentials, or files that have earlier been saved. For instance, an eCommerce website can recognize a user's select currency, or a football streaming site might have the user's sign-in details, so they don't have to re-enter their login credentials. Also, cookies are designed to track users' activity: they can harvest user data, make suggestions based on previous actions, and show target ads. However, cookies will possibly be eliminated or substituted in the future, with virtually all sites still asking whether you would "Accept cookies," "Yes, I accept Cookies," or "Accept Cookies & continue," before hitting that button, there're numerous cybersecurity considerations you must keep in mind.

A wealth of sensitive data is contained in cookies. Thus they're subject to regulation. Some states, countries, and regions have constituted legislative and regulatory guidelines that require website owners to query users for permission to collect data, that is, the consent box users see the first time they visit a website. Even though they might be tempted to unambiguously 'accept cookies' to do away with the disgusting window, there're risks affiliated with that. It's always paramount to go through the fine print and tailor the cookie settings according to the information you want to be saved. But even before accepting cookies of a particular site, users can tailor the cookie setting of their web browsers.

Nearly all popular browsers have two significant techniques for limiting cookies' impact on the user's privacy. First, by utterly deleting cookies from their devices, and second, by obstructing specific types of cookies, such as third-party cookies. Again, the delete option may appear more accessible and effortless, but it's nowhere near convenient. By spending some minutes tweaking their browser's cookie settings, users can notably elevate their privacy while steering clear of unwarranted inconveniences when visiting websites. Also, some security solutions have safety browsing features that warn users about scamming sites while protecting their devices against malware.

?

Why cookies have become a privacy issue

Cookies are harmless and cannot unearth users' critical information or expose sensitive data by themselves; they are designed to store specific data in several ways. Cookies do not generate the data; it is created when users submit/enter information on websites like registration websites, payment websites, and other web pages. Data stored in the cookies is encoded and safeguarded against cyber-attacks with information security solutions like secure sockets layers (SSL). However, cookies are sometimes regarded as significant factors in users' privacy thanks to the ability to store browsing history and tracking characteristics.

Different types of cookies are used to perform other tasks. It's imperative to distinguish between the various types of cookies and the purpose they serve. For instance, web cookies perform many functions, including offering continuity to the previous internet pages, assisting in remembering login credentials (username and password) of login pages to websites, and providing preferences and other content pertinent to users' browsing needs. Regarding the retention period, cookies are classified into?persistent?and?session cookies. Whereas persistent cookies are stored on the device's browsers until they expire or are deleted, session cookies are stored in temporary file memories. They aren't recalled after shutting down the device browser. Session cookies are designed to offer an immediate benefit(s) before the session ends. For example, cookies that store web page information when filling out online forms – cease to exist immediately after closing the web page. Persistent cookies are designed to offer customized data while gathering statistical data regarding users' browsing behaviors/activities.

Tracking?or?third-party cookies?are long-lasting types that substantially impact device cybersecurity and influence users' privacy. They are considered disgusting as they can violate users' privacy and expose the device to cyber risks through behavior profiling based on their browsing history. Tracking cookies enable advertising and data analytic companies to pursue the browsing data on all sites. For instance, a software marketing firm can find out user(s) were searching for their application on a particular app store. Other forms of tracking cookies feature zombie information or are zombies themselves. They are deployed on the browser and reappear even after being deleted: they're difficult to remove.

?

How to prevent tracking cookies?

Users can block third-party cookies before they can manifest by enabling the "do not track" capability, often supported under their browser's privacy settings. Also, users are advised to delete/clear cookies regularly in their browser history. Alternatively, users can deploy ad-blockers and/or anti-tracking solutions on their devices.??

?

Conclusion

Cookies aren't harmful but can significantly expose your data and/or computer to cybercriminals. Hackers can quickly hijack data stored in cookies and use it to commit malicious activities. Therefore, users should be careful with the information they share online; they should read that fine print before hitting the "accept cookies" button and customize the cookies based on the information required to safeguard their privacy while maintaining convenience.? ??

?