Surely at some point while browsing the Internet you have come across an advertisement that asked you to accept “Cookies” from a specific website, but do you know what this means?
Cookies are computer files sent by websites that are stored in our browser and that obtienen datos sobre nosotros. These files obtain information about the visitor of a website and use it, mainly, for Internet advertising, for example, to provide personalized advertisements. In other words, cookies have the function of “telling” brands and companies how we behave online.
Who is the owner of the Cookies?
These files can be generated by the website you are visiting and with the aim of personalizing the service it offers or the way in which it displays its data, to control site traffic, identify the login of its users, store content or allow the use of security elements, while others are generated by third-party websites (generally advertisers). Although, in reality, according to a report from the European Union, about 70% of the cookies that you will find while browsing the Internet are from companies that track information to offer personalized advertising.
What type of information do they collect?
Cookies can collect different types of information from each user, such as:
- Email addresses and passwords
- Our telephone number and address
- IP adress
- Your computer's operating system
- Browser used
- Previously visited pages
What types of cookies exist?
1. Session Cookie: It is only active while the user is browsing the website. When this exits, the information is deleted.
2. Persistent o Permanent Cookie: These are Cookies that remain saved even after leaving the website. The validity time will be that which the programmer believes is necessary. The visitor can delete them at any time they wish, by entering their browser settings.
3. Third-Party Cookies: Estas son las cookies de terceros, se utilizan para propósitos publicitarios.
4. Supercookie: It is a tracking Cookie that allows us to know all the user's movements on the web and is not stored on the computer. That is, it cannot be blocked or excluded. There are already some laws to prevent its operation, mainly because users did not agree with this improper data capture.
5. Zombie Cookie: It is a type of Cookie that is activated after being deleted.
6. Secure Cookie: To guarantee security, it only accepts HTTPS type connections.
7. Same-Site Cookie: Makes the servers only accept requests from the same website. This also serves computer security, protecting it from forced requests.
Should I be afraid of Cookies?
No, in reality these files do not create risks as a user, however, you should always be careful when using shared computers or those located in public places (such as libraries or an internet cafe). In this case, it is always recommended that you use incognito mode or delete cookies after using the computer.
