What is a cookie?
A cookie is a harmless text file that is stored in your browser when you visit almost any website. The purpose of a cookie is to allow the website to remember your visit when you return to that page. Although many people are unaware of it, cookies have been in use for 20 years, ever since the first browsers for the World Wide Web appeared.
What is a cookie NOT?
It is not a virus, a Trojan, a worm, spam, or spyware, nor does it open pop-up windows.
What information does a cookie store?
Cookies do not typically store sensitive information about you, such as credit card or bank details, photographs, ID numbers, or personal information. The data they save is of a technical nature, regarding personal preferences, content personalization, etc.
The web server does not associate you as a person, but rather your web browser. In fact, if you habitually browse with Internet Explorer and try browsing the same website with Firefox or Chrome, you will see that the website does not realize you are the same person because it is actually identifying the browser, not the individual.
What types of cookies exist?
- Technical cookies: These are the most basic and allow the site, among other things, to know when a human or an automated application is browsing, and when an anonymous or registered user is browsing—basic tasks for the operation of any dynamic website.
- Analysis cookies: These collect information about the type of browsing you are doing, the sections you use most, products viewed, time range of use, language, etc.
- Advertising cookies: These show advertising based on your browsing habits, your country of origin, language, etc.
What are first-party and third-party cookies?
First-party cookies are those generated by the page you are visiting, and third-party cookies are those generated by external services or providers such as Facebook, Twitter, Google, etc.
What happens if I disable cookies?
To help you understand the impact of disabling cookies, here are a few examples:
- You will not be able to share content from that website on Facebook, Twitter, or any other social network.
- The website will not be able to adapt content to your personal preferences, as often happens in online stores.
- You will not be able to access personal areas of the website, such as “My Account,” “My Profile,” or “My Orders.”
- Online stores: It will be impossible to make online purchases; you would have to do so by phone or by visiting a physical store if one is available.
- It will not be possible to customize geographical preferences such as time zone, currency, or language.
- The website will not be able to perform web analytics on visitors and traffic, making it difficult for the site to remain competitive.
- You will not be able to write on the blog, upload photos, post comments, or rate content. The website will also not be able to tell if you are a human or an automated application posting spam.
- Targeted advertising cannot be shown, which will reduce the website’s advertising revenue.
- All social networks use cookies; if you disable them, you will not be able to use any social network.
Can cookies be deleted?
Yes. You can not only delete them but also block them, either generally or specifically for a particular domain. To delete cookies from a website, you must go to your browser settings, search for those associated with the domain in question, and proceed to delete them.
Cookie settings for the most popular browsers
Chrome
Note: these steps may vary depending on the browser version:
- Go to Settings or Preferences via the File menu or by clicking the customization icon at the top right.
- Click the Show advanced settings option.
- Go to Privacy, then Content settings.
- Select All cookies and site data.
- A list will appear with all cookies sorted by domain. To make it easier to find cookies for a specific domain, enter the address partially or fully in the Search cookies field.
- After filtering, one or more lines with the requested website’s cookies will appear. Simply select it and press X to delete it.
Internet Explorer
- Go to Tools, then Internet Options.
- Click on Privacy.
- Move the slider to adjust the level of privacy you desire.
Firefox
- Go to Options or Preferences depending on your operating system.
- Click on Privacy.
- In History, choose Use custom settings for history.
- You will now see the Accept cookies option; you can activate or deactivate it according to your preferences.
Safari (OSX)
- Go to Preferences, then Privacy.
- Here you will see the Block cookies option to adjust the type of blocking you wish to perform.
Safari (iOS)
- Go to Settings, then Safari.
- Go to Privacy & Security; you will see the Block cookies option to adjust the type of blocking you wish to perform.
Android Devices
- Launch the browser and press the Menu key, then Settings.
- Go to Security and Privacy; you will see the Accept cookies checkbox to enable or disable it.
Windows Phone
- Open Internet Explorer, then More, then Settings.
- You can now enable or disable the Allow cookies checkbox.