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Searching a variety of websites, we notice messages about the use of cookies, to which most of us react by clicking the black cross or "accept" to quickly access the content of the site. However, it's worth understanding that site owners post information about the use of "cookies" in accordance with specific legal regulations under current legislation. Below is a full explanation of cookie information on websites and discusses what exactly internet cookies are.
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Cookies, also known as cookies, play a key role in personalizing and facilitating the online experience by allowing websites to remember user information, such as language preferences, login information or shopping cart contents. This makes interaction with sites more intuitive and access to content faster and more customized. Personalizing content, based on previous online activities, can increase the effectiveness of advertising messages by tailoring them to the user's interests.
However, the use of cookies has also stirred up some controversy, mainly due to privacy concerns. Critics argue that collecting data on users' preferences and behaviors is an invasion of their privacy, as many people may not be aware of the extent to which their information is being collected and analyzed.
From a technical perspective, as the Federal Trade Commission explains, a cookie is a small piece of data stored by a web browser on a user's device when they visit a website. When the user returns to the same page, the site can read the stored cookie, allowing it to recognize the returning user and adjust the content displayed based on previous interactions. This tracking mechanism allows for the collection of data about users' preferences, browsing history or even time spent on particular pages, which in turn can be used to optimize the user's online experience and for marketing purposes.
Despite the privacy debate, there is no denying that cookies make a significant contribution to the online experience, making navigation faster and more personalized. It is important for users to be aware of how and for what purposes their data is used, which requires websites to be transparent in communicating their cookie policies and to give users control over which cookies they accept.
Cookies, often referred to as cookies, are small sequences of text transmitted by a website to a user's browser and then back to the site on each subsequent visit. Their primary function is to maintain a user's session, for example by sending a temporary ID after the login process. However, they can perform broader tasks, such as storing arbitrary information in text form, thus avoiding the need to re-enter the same data each time a user visits the site, or when moving between different sections of the site.
Browser security mechanisms ensure that cookies can only be read from the domain where they were created or from its sub-domains.
The cookie mechanism, an innovation in the area of HTTP protocol communication that does not inherently provide for state maintenance, is used to distinguish between users visiting websites. These small collections of information, known as cookies, are stored on a user's device based on a request sent by a web server or a script running in the browser. Interestingly, the method of storing this data is not standardized. Despite references to the term "cookie," individual cookies are not always stored as separate files. For example, Internet Explorer accumulates all cookies from a single site in a single file, while Firefox and Chrome store them in SQLite database format.
Cookies work according to the following steps:
The information contained in the "Set-Cookie" command includes:
If the expiration time of a cookie is not specified, it expires when you close your browser or log off. No cookies are permanently stored - they automatically expire after a few years or are manually deleted by the user.
However, the process of sending cookies is standardized. When a web server wishes to place a cookie on a user's device, it appends a "Set-Cookie" command to the HTTP header, followed by specific data and options. The cookie thus stored is then sent back only to the originating server, identified by the browser through its domain name.
The Set-Cookie command defines:
Just enter the name and value of the cookie to save it
Failure to set an expiration date results in the expiration of the cookie when the browser session is closed, making it a session cookie. In contrast, cookies - cookies that do not expire at the end of the session - are considered 'persistent' and remain active even after restarting the browser. Note, however, that there is no way for a cookie to never expire - it either ends with the session or after a certain period of time, which can, however, be fixed for a very long time. It is also important that users have the option of manually deleting cookies from their own device.
Cookies are divided into two types: session cookies and permanent cookies. Session cookies are stored temporarily and disappear when you close your browser or log out of the site, while permanent ones remain on your device for the period specified in their settings or until you choose to delete them.
In most web browsers, the default setting is to allow cookies. However, the user has the option to change these settings to, for example, block automatic acceptance of cookies or receive notifications whenever cookies are sent. For details on how to manage your cookie settings, see your browser options.
Restrictions on the use of cokiees may affect some website features
It is worth remembering that restricting the use of cookies may affect some features of the website, limiting the full use of its capabilities. If you do not change your cookie settings, it means that cookies will be placed on your device.
The main purpose of cookies is to maintain a user's session on the site, but they are now also used to monitor website traffic and tailor content to individual users' preferences.
Thanks to cookies, sites can tailor their interface and features to the browsing habits of their visitors, making it easier to use the sites. Cookies are also used to store login information, allowing faster and easier access to sites that require authorization.
Many websites also use cookies to collect statistical data. This information is then analyzed to better understand users' needs and preferences. This allows site owners to tailor the site's content and functionality to better meet visitors' expectations, creating a more personalized and satisfying browsing experience.
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The use of cookies is a key strategy for companies looking to improve the performance of their websites and increase user engagement. These small data files, stored on users' end devices, allow them to personalize the online experience and gather valuable information about visitors' preferences and behaviors.
Thanks to cookies, websites can be continuously customized, making navigation intuitive and enjoyable and sites more attractive to returning visitors.
In addition, the anonymous data collected by cookies provides businesses with insights into the effectiveness of their sites. By analyzing this information, it is possible to detect and eliminate problems, optimize processes and increase conversions, which directly translates into increased revenue.
Cookies also play an important role in maintaining the continuity of a user's session, allowing seamless transitions between pages and remembering preferences, such as the contents of a shopping cart or selected settings.
The key use of cookies, however, is behavioral targeting in advertising. By analyzing users' behavior on the site, it is possible to provide them with personalized advertising content that better matches their interests. This, in turn, can significantly increase the effectiveness of advertising campaigns and improve ROI.
In summary, cookies are an essential tool for any online business, enabling it to personalize the user experience, better understand their needs and reach them more effectively with its offerings.
When using cookies in your business operations, it is important to be mindful of the potential risks associated with their use. Although from a website owner's perspective cookies seem to have no drawbacks, it is important to put their use in a broader context. One limitation is that content personalization, despite efforts, does not always achieve the desired level of precision. In addition, for many Internet users, cookies can be seen as an invasion of their privacy.
Users often value the ability to browse online content anonymously, so collecting information about their online activity can be met with a negative reaction. Fortunately, users have the option to reject cookies when they visit a site or delete them from their device at any time, allowing them to control their data and maintain their privacy.
Wondering what information is collected by cookies? We can distinguish three main categories of data that are collected: user sessions, personalization and activity monitoring. Below you will find a brief discussion of each of these categories, starting with user sessions.
User sessions are a category in which cookies collect information about a user's preferences. This data is stored in the form of a string of characters that may seem incomprehensible to the user, but is easily interpreted by the server. This allows the server to deliver content tailored to the user's expectations.
In terms of personalization, cookies allow the site to remember choices made by the user, such as the preferred display mode of the site (e.g. night mode) or changes in the layout of the site. This information is saved and transmitted to the server, so that on subsequent visits the site presents itself according to the user's previous settings, until the cookies are deleted.
The activity monitoring function, implemented by some cookies, plays a key role from the perspective of both the user and the site owner. Cookies with this function record user activity on the site and transmit this data to the server. For example, if you browse an online store for a certain product, you may be offered that product or similar ones on your next visit, and relevant ads may appear. Activity monitoring is not just used to personalize advertising content and recommendations. Analytics tools use this data to gather anonymous information about user activity, which enables analysis of site traffic.
Deactivating cookies in your web browser can lead to various problems when using many websites. In particular, it may make it difficult or impossible to use sites that require the user to log in.
Disabling cookies will restrict access to some of the site's resources
While disabling cookies does not prevent you from browsing or reading content on most websites, it may restrict access to some resources that require you to log in to the site. In other words, without cookies, some website features, such as maintaining user sessions or remembering settings, may not function properly.
How to delete cookies from your smartphone browser? Here's a simple guide for Android and iOS (iPhone/iPad) devices:
How to clear cookies in your browser? It's a simple process that usually only takes a few clicks.
When you browse the Internet with browsers such as Chrome, the browser stores certain information from the sites you visit in its cache and cookies. Deleting this data can help eliminate certain website performance problems, such as loading errors or incorrect content display.
If you are using Firefox or other browsers, please refer to the support pages of these browsers for detailed instructions on data cleaning.
The effects of cache and cookie cleaning include:
Cookies are created by the websites you visit and store information that makes your online experience easier by remembering your browsing data. Caches, on the other hand, store elements of pages, such as images, allowing them to load faster when you visit again.
In the world of cookies, there is a variety similar to confectionery choices, with different types performing different functions. We zoom in on the key categories below, explaining their tasks.
They help the site collect information about the user.
Automatically deleted when the session ends, i.e. when you log out or leave the site.
No expiration date, allowing the browser to easily delete them after the session ends.
They stay in the browser for a certain period of time (day, month or year).
They have a clearly defined deadline, after which they are automatically deleted.
They facilitate the process of logging into the site, taking care of security.
Generated when a login is attempted, they ensure that private information is securely transmitted to a specific user.
When deleted, they regenerate, creating a copy (back-up) outside the browser.
They can function again after deletion, which is a potential risk, especially in the context of cyber attacks.
Generated by services that monitor user activity.
They collect behavioral data to tailor site content, such as ads or product recommendations, to your preferences.
Podobnie jak w przypadku różnych rodzajów słodyczy, różne rodzaje plików cookie pełnią różne funkcje, dostosowując doświadczenia użytkownika online.
Using a smartphone or computer, you've probably encountered a cookie notification on a new website that asks for your permission to track your activities. Such notices often direct you to a cookie policy and claim that tracking is supposed to improve your experience, although sometimes it seems to work the other way around. But where did these notifications come from?
The widespread existence of cookies is the result of two key regulations introduced in the European Union: The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), a broad data privacy law that has been in effect since May 2018, and the e-Privacy Directive, first enacted in 2002 and updated in 2009.
These regulations are designed to ensure that users are informed about the data companies collect about them, giving them the option to give or withhold consent. They require companies to be transparent about the purpose of data collection. Users are given the right to access, control and delete their personal data.
The implementation of RODO has prompted companies around the world (not just in Europe) to comply with the new regulations, making changes to privacy policies for all users. The result has been cookie notifications, which are now commonplace on the web.
Cookie theft, also known as session hijacking, is a method of cyberattacks where online criminals trick users' login credentials. The process begins by redirecting the victim to a crafted login page via a fake link. When a user enters his or her credentials on such a page, the cybercriminal is able to intercept a cookie that contains information to access the user's account, including usernames and passwords. This allows the thief to gain unauthorized access to personal and sensitive data. In possession of the stolen cookie, the cybercriminal can then log into various online accounts, impersonating the victim, and even change account settings, which can lead to the legitimate user losing control.
Attacks on cookies can also be carried out without directing the user to a crafted page. Hackers can intercept user-submitted data when using unsecured public Wi-Fi networks. Even if a site uses security features such as encrypting login credentials, an unencrypted connection can be an easy target for cybercriminals looking to intercept cookies.
On this page, we outline the different types of cookies and related technologies used by Google and their partners to customize advertising content. Cookies are small pieces of text sent to your browser by the site you visit that allow it to remember information about your visit, making it easier for you to use the site on subsequent visits. In addition to cookies, Google also uses technologies such as unique identifiers to identify applications or devices, pixel tags and local storage that serve similar purposes.
For details on how Google takes care of your privacy when using cookies, please see the Privacy Policy.
These files and technologies may be stored in your browser, app, or on your device. To manage their use, including rejecting specific types, visit g.co/privacytools. You can also manage cookies in your browser (although browsers on mobile devices may limit these capabilities).
Cookies and related technologies enable access to the main functions of the services, such as remembering user choices and preferences, storing session information (e.g. the contents of a shopping cart), enabling access to functions, performing tasks at the user's request, and optimizing and improving the performance of the services.
Cookies and related security technologies help prevent fraud, authenticate users and protect their data while using the services.
These cookies collect data about how you use the services to help improve them and create better features to enhance your user experience.
Google uses cookies for advertising purposes, including displaying and customizing ads, limiting the number of ads, ignoring unwanted ads, measuring effectiveness, and personalizing advertising content.
Cookies and related technologies make your Google experience more personalized, offering content and features tailored to your individual preferences.
Most browsers allow you to control the generation and use of cookies, including their deletion. You can also manage similar technologies in application settings and on mobile devices.
For more details on the cookies used by Google to display ads and how to manage them, visit the dedicated pages.
By themselves, cookies do not present a direct threat, as they do not and cannot contain code that would be harmful to our devices. Nevertheless, their existence should not be underestimated, as cookies can support processes that eventually become dangerous. Moreover, due to their nature as plain text documents, they can easily be taken over by other applications, such as viruses, and modified to become part of a larger operation aimed at attacking the user's device.
Let's look at an example in which a cookie is used to take control of a computer. If an attacker manages to place a suitably modified cookie, or change the parameters of a "normal" cookie, to one that will be used in subsequent phases of the attack, our device becomes vulnerable. This altered cookie can act as a kind of relay between the browser and the criminals' site, which often pretends to be, for example, a homepage (such as Google's browser). As a result, a connection is established that can be used to launch an attack, for example, by exploiting an exploit or opening a port, allowing remote takeover.
That's why it's so important to get rid of cookies as well after removing the malware. They still pose a threat, being a kind of connection between the device and the criminals' site. Each time you try to connect to a suspicious site, the cookie's action can result in information being passed to hackers, again exposing your device to attack.
Although cookies themselves are not a major tool for hackers, they can be an ideal channel for obtaining information about the victim. All cookies from external parties (so-called third-party cookies) can pose this kind of threat.
Cookies, also known as cookies, are small text files stored on a user's device (computer, phone) by the website you visit. They allow the site to remember information about the user's visit, such as language preferences or login information.
Cookies are used for various purposes, including remembering user preferences, personalizing content displayed on websites, monitoring user sessions, as well as for statistical and marketing purposes.
There are two main types of cookies: session cookies, which are temporary and disappear when you close your browser, and permanent cookies, which remain on your device until they expire or are deleted.
T Yes, cookies are safe. They may not contain viruses or other malicious programs. However, it is important to be aware of what information is collected and how it is used by the sites you visit.
Most web browsers allow you to manage cookies, including blocking or deleting them. You can usually find your cookie settings in the "Options" or "Preferences" menu of your browser.
You are not required to accept cookies to use most websites. However, rejecting some cookies may affect the functionality and convenience of the website.
The deletion of cookies can be accomplished using the options available in your web browser. The process varies depending on the browser you are using, so it is worth checking your browser's instructions or online help.
T Yes, some cookies, especially those from third parties, may be used to track your online activity for advertising purposes. You can manage these cookies using your browser settings or specialized tools to block tracking.
In most browsers, you can check and review cookies using the privacy management and browsing data options. The detailed steps depend on your specific browser, so you may want to consult your browser's documentation.
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