Cookies
Success Criteria for Digital Citizenship Badge
What are cookies?
Outline the importance or reading the Cookie policy before clicking accept.
List 4 types of information that Cookies can hold.
What happens if you refuse to accept Cookies?
Introduction to HTTP Cookies
Introduction to HTTP Cookies
A cookie is a data file that is stored on your computer or device when you visit a website. Cookies can also be known as an "HTTP cookie," "browser cookie," or "web cookie". Cookies do several different jobs. One of the most basic jobs cookies do is to remember your activities on a website. For example:
The contents of your shopping cart.
If you are signed in to your account.
What Are Cookies?
Cookies Explained
Common examples of when a website might track your online activity.
Sites like YouTube and Netflix collect information on the videos you watch, which helps them then suggest more videos you might like.
Online stores like Amazon and eBay keep a record of different items you view and purchase, which allows them to recommend other products you may want to buy.
Search engines like Google keep a description of the things you search for. This can help them suggest more relevant searches, but it can also be used for advertising purposes. For example, if you search for a breadmaker on Google, you might see ads for breadmakers on other websites in the future.
After watching the video- Discuss with learners:
Are they aware of Cookies Online?
Do they just click accept & allow the Cookies?
Do they read the Cookie policy?
Basic understanding of cookies can help you keep unwanted eyes off your internet activity. While most cookies are perfectly safe, some can be used to track you without your consent.
Cookie Tracking
Cookies do some more complicated jobs, too, such as tracking you as you move around the internet. They can gather information about your habits and preferences, and this information can be used to deliver tailored advertising.
For instance, a shopping website would use cookies to remember the items you're storing in a virtual basket before checkout.
And a social network might use cookies to track the links you click, and then use that information to show you more relevant or interesting links in the future.
Why Do Websites Warn About Cookies?
A Website must warn users about cookies under EU law ePrivacy Directive. There are rules requiring website operators to inform users about how they use cookies. Almost every website displays a Privacy Policy and/or a Cookies Policy which explains how the website owner uses cookies, as shown in the examples below.
Task: Divide the class into different groups and discuss both Privacy and Cookie Policies
What Information Cookies can hold?
We know that every cookie holds at least a website's name and an ID for you.
But some websites will also include other information:
The amount of time you spend on a website
The hyperlinks you click while using the website
The preferences or settings you choose
Accounts you log into
Recording which pages you have visited in the past
Items in a shopping basket
Cookies are generally used to improve the experience for users.
Is it safe to agree to Cookies?
Cookies may represent a security threat. For example, if you transmit sensitive personal information over an unsecured Wi-Fi network, the information could be collected by a session cookie. Hackers may target this information.
However, these situations are scarce. Most of the time, it's perfectly safe to agree to cookies.
What happens if you don't accept a cookie?
Some companies simply will not let you use their website if you do not accept a cookie. Particularly after the introduction of GDPR some websites will no longer give you access without cookie permission.
It is generally because some websites simply will not work as intended without cookies. But for the most part, you will still be able to access most of the internet without accepting cookies.
But remember by accepting cookies, you will get a more tailored experience with more relevant content, so it's usually worth accepting cookies, unless you're particularly fearful about privacy.
Session 2
Here’s how Cookies are intended to be used:
Session management: For example, cookies let websites recognise users and recall their individual login information and preferences, such as sports news versus politics.
Personalisation: Customised advertising is the main way cookies are used to personalise your sessions. You may view certain items or parts of a site, and cookies use this data to help build targeted ads that you might enjoy.
Tracking: Shopping sites use cookies to track items users previously viewed, allowing the sites to suggest other goods they might like and keep items in shopping carts while they continue shopping.
There are many different types of Cookies, below are three of the most common.
Session Cookies - Session cookies are created temporarily in your browser’s subfolder while visiting a website. Once you leave the site, the session cookie will be deleted.
Persistent cookies - Persistent cookie files remain in your browser’s subfolder and are activated again once you visit the website that created that particular cookie. A persistent cookie remains in the browser’s subfolder for the duration period set within the cookie’s file.
Third-Party Cookies - Third-party Cookies are those created by domains other than the one the user is visiting at the time and are mainly used for tracking and online advertising purposes.
Protect Yourself against Cookie Fraud
Make sure your browser is updated. Today, a lot of browsers update automatically. But if you are using a browser that’s out of date, you should update it.
Avoid any sites you’re not sure about. If you ever receive a warning about a website, whether from a search engine or your browser, don’t go onto the site.
Protecting Your Online Privacy
Check your browser’s Privacy and Security settings. Here, you will be able to alter your browser’s cookie policies. You can be as severe as you wish. At the same time, you do not want to make it too difficult to access certain features on different websites.
Use an Incognito or Private browsing mode, the majority of modern browsers offer you the chance to browse the internet without any cookies. Therefore, when you’re surfing the web, none of your existing persistent cookies will be used, and any persistent cookies created during your time online will be deleted when you close the browser. However, it is worth bearing in mind that none of your passwords will be saved in this mode.
Resources
How to manage your Cookies in different web browsers
Social Media Privacy Policies