Cookies, no not the ones that you dip in milk, the ones that your computer stores every time you visit a site. Essentially, they are just are files which are stored on your computer or mobile upon you visiting a site. These are then placed in a file located within your web browser. Companies claim that these cookies are used to make your online experience easier by saving browsing information, remembering your site preferences and giving you locally relevant content.

However, is this actually making your life easier or merely invading your privacy?

First it’s important to consider that cookies come in two different forms and perform different roles. The two different types of cookies, are session cookies and persistent cookies. Session cookies allow the website to track your activity whilst you proceed to other pages on the site, remembering prior decisions made by consumers. For instance, when online shopping the website remembers that you have placed items in your cart whilst allowing you to continue browsing. However, all information obtained by the website will be removed after the consumer exits and thus nothing is stored. Persistent cookies assist websites in the future by storing your previous information and settings. There are numerous uses of persistent cookies including authentication login process, your preferred language selection and menu benefits, just to name a few. Facebook uses persistent cookies to enhance customer experience by allowing a quick authentication login process and shows user preferences. Facebook shows posts within your feed which you have indicated to have similar interest in previously. This means that persistent cookies are stored to try enhance the customers experience next time by analysing the consumers behaviour previously on that website.  

• https://www.flaticon.com/free-icon/facebook_124010
• https://www.iconfinder.com/icons/268943/add_to_cart_buy_ecommerce_online_shopping_shopping_cart_icon

Whilst these cookies can be helpful in some cases, they are also storing and tracking your every move which can pose a great risk. Most websites collect information for legitimate reasons however some websites may sell the information gathered or use it hack into online accounts or social media outlets. Your personal information being sold to third parties, although may seem harmless, has actually meant that all the information you’ve allowed these sites to gather, is then sent on to other random websites that you may not even know exist. Essentially your cookies have been trafficked through the web and you are no longer in control of your own information.

Should consumers be constantly wary of cookies? Should you be managing and deleting your cookies on a regular basis to stop the possibility of privacy been breached?