5.1 The Internet and its uses

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Cookies

1. What are Cookies?

A Cookie is a small text file sent by a web server to a user's web browser. It is stored on the user's hard drive and contains information about the user's visit to a website.

Crucially: Cookies are not programs; they cannot carry viruses or delete files. They are just data.

2. Types of Cookies

Session Cookies

Stored in temporary memory. They are deleted as soon as the browser is closed.

Use: Keeping items in a shopping basket while you browse different pages.

Persistent Cookies

Stored on the hard drive until they reach their expiry date or are manually deleted.

Use: "Remember me" login details and user preferences (like Dark Mode).

3. Uses of Cookies

  • Personalization: Remembering your language choice or theme.
  • Authentication: Keeping you logged in as you move between pages.
  • Tracking/Analytics: Helping website owners see how many people visit and which pages are popular.
  • Targeted Advertising: Tracking your interests across different sites to show you "relevant" ads.

4. Privacy Implications

While cookies make the web easier to use, they raise significant Privacy Concerns:

  • Tracking: Third-party cookies can follow you across different websites, building a profile of your behavior without your explicit knowledge.
  • Data Sharing: Information collected by cookies can be sold to advertisers or other companies.

Side Note: The GDPR and "Cookie Banners"

The GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) is a strict EU law that forces websites to ask for your explicit consent before using non-essential cookies.

Where did this come from? In the early 2000s, "Zombie Cookies" and invisible tracking became widespread. EU lawmakers felt that the "right to be forgotten" and the right to privacy were fundamental human rights. They wanted to stop companies from "silently" profiling citizens without their permission, leading to the "Accept All Cookies" pop-ups we see today.

⚠️ Exam Note: If asked for a benefit of cookies, mention "user convenience" (e.g., shopping baskets). If asked for a drawback, mention "invasion of privacy" or "tracking user habits."
End of Cookie Notes • Ready for Cybersecurity Protection Measures?