Cookies In A Computer: How To Be Safe From Its Misuse?

When we need any information, we simply put the keywords on the search bar of a search engine. The search engine shows some results. We click on a link and go to a website. During the time browsing a website, sometimes it seeks our permission to accept the cookies. This is an example of cookies in a computer. 

The origin of cookies is for making your browsing more convenient.  But it creates risks to our privacy. So, cookies in a computer now become a concern for the privacy seeker. The article will discuss in detail what cookies in a computer. It will also show how the cookies work. First, we will also explore a short history of computer cookies. 

History of cookies in a computer

In 1994, the cookies were first used. Lou Montulli first used the cookies. He was a web browser programmer. At that time, he was working on Netscape Communications. The cookies system was developed to understand a visitor’s visit time. It can detect whether a visitor previously visited their website or the visitor visiting for the first time. It is the first example of storing a website’s data on a searcher’s computer. 

Lou Montulli applied for a patent for the computer cookies in 1995. In the same year, it was used in the second version of internet explorer. Computer cookies are now an integral part of a web experience. Cookies work completely behind the scenes. This individual tracking system increases the web experiences. But, tech-savvy people are concerned about their personal privacy. 

What are cookies in a computer? 

We all browse the internet. Internet use is now an integral part of a person’s life. Computer cookies are a familiar term in the world of the internet. Computer cookies are known by many names. The names are as follows. 

  • Cookies in a computer, 
  • Website cookie, 
  • Browser cookie, 
  • A web cookie,
  • Internet cookie, 
  • HTTP cookie, etc. 

In what names do we call cookies in a computer, it is the same thing. It works in the same way. It consists of information. When a searcher visits a website, the website sends cookies to the searcher’s computer. The user’s computer stores it on the browser’s file. The job of computer cookies is to keep your data and track you accordingly. For example, an e-commerce website uses cookies to track the customer. This helps the website show the relevant products to the customers. And it is good for the customers to find the desired product easily on the website. There are different types of cookies. We will now explore the different types of cookies. 

Types of computer cookies 

There are many types of cookies. The purposes of different types of cookies are different. Let’s know about the different types of cookies and their specific uses. 

HTTP cookies 

The overall general category of web cookies is HTTP cookies. The cookies in a computer are implemented in modern web browsers to gain certain capabilities. All types of cookies fall in this category of HTTP cookies. Only flash cookies are not included in this type of cookie. 

Session cookies 

The session cookie has its unique uses. From the name, it entails the session a user spends on a website. The cookies only work when a user navigates a particular website. After the navigation session ends, the cookie stops working. 

First-party cookies 

The other name of first-party cookies is the Same Site cookies. The cookie only works on a single site where it was set. To use on a single domain the first-party cookies originated. The cookie doesn’t share the users’ data with other websites. It also doesn’t share with any advertiser. 

Persistent cookies 

It is also known as permanent cookies. The cookies work for a certain time on a website. A web server may sometimes set the time for the cookies. To make faster web experiences the cookies are used. 

Zombie Cookies 

The cookies are more persistent than all other cookies. The cookies may work after the cookie was deleted. It is stored in a hidden location on the user’s computer. 

Third-party cookies

The cookies come from the other website than a user using the site. The cookies use is common in advertising. An advertiser uses these cookies to track the customers’ behaviors. It is used for target marketing. 

Secure cookies 

The cookies have a secure features set. It was sent to a server over encrypted HTTPS connections. It is both a first-party and third-party cookie combination. 

Flash cookies 

All above-described cookies are HTTP cookies. It is different from HTTP cookies. It is a cookie type that is used with Adobe Flash. As the use of Flash decreased, the cookie use has reduced. 

Are cookies bad? 

Cookies now become a part of our daily lives as we browse the internet. A cookie itself is not harmful. It can not affect a user’s computer with viruses. But, there is a risk of cyber attack. The cyber attack can steal the cookies and can get access to the users’ browsers. So, there is a high risk that it can track the user’s browsing history. Knowledge of cyber security can help you to be safe from this type of cyber attack. 

How to be safe in computer cookie use? 

You may think of keeping your information secure online. A computer cookie stores a lot of confidential information about a user. Hackers look for the opportunity to hijack that information. 

To keep your information secure, try to do the following tasks. 

Clear your cookies 

Delete your cookies, to avoid cookie stealing. Go to your browser setting and delete your cookies. 

Use VPN 

Using VPN will help you to hide your IP addresses. It acts as a privacy layer for you. It gives security to your internet connections. 

Enforce HTTPS encryption 

HTTPS is more secure than HTTP. HTTPS can help you to protect your privacy. It is an extensive form of HTTP. Try to use HTTPS as it is more secure. The HTTPS can be easily attacked by the hijackers. 

Do DNS flush 

Do DNS flush, to clear your IP addresses from the cache. Flushing your DNS records can help you to resolve your security and other issues. 

Don’t use unprotected Wi-Fi networks. Try to avoid using public Wi-Fi networks. Public Wi-Fi is vulnerable to a lack of security. In using public networks, use VPN. 

 

Cookies in a computer are now an integral part of internet surfing. In a usual situation, a cookie can not send a virus to your website. But it doesn’t mean that there is no risk to your privacy. Follow the steps to keep yourself safe from cookies. Cookies are optional for you. You may limit the cookies used on your computer. You can easily remove cookies. But avoiding cookies can ruin your website navigation experience. So, use cookies but be aware of your personal privacy.