What are cookies and what are they used for?

Cookies

What are Cookies?

    The HTTP cookie (literal translation from English HTTP cookie), commonly referred to simply as a "cookie", is a packet of information in the form of a very small per size file sent from a web server to your Internet browser and then returned from the browser every time it accesses that same server. The "cookies" are invented by Lou Montulli, a former employee of Netscape Communications. Almost every larger and feature-rich site on the Internet uses cookies.

Content and purpose of cookies

    "Cookies" may contain random information selected from the server, and are used to maintain the state of HTTP transactions that are otherwise "stateless". They are usually used to authenticate the identity of a registered user of a website, as part of the login process or initial registration on the site, and the user is not required to enter a new username and password on each subsequent access to this site.

     Others use cookies to maintain “shopping basket' for selected goods to purchase from a given site during a single session, for site personalization (presenting different pages to different users), and to track access of individual users to a given site, for rating systems of User Content, etc.

     As the best example of information stored in a cookie is have you answered "ok" to the use of cookies for this site to not be asked again. Also, some embedded videos from other sites use cookies to collect anonymous statistics about where you came to the video in question and who videos have been watched.

How long does the cookie stay saved on my computer?

     In general, a "cookie" remains saved on the computer of user for use in a subsequent session, but this is not mandatory or a rule - it may also be used only within one session and deleted at the end of the session. Cookies can also be deleted by the user at any time.

What do cookies identify?

     If more than one browser is used on a computer, each has a separate space for storing cookies. The "cookies" do not identify an individual, but a combination of computer and web browser. Therefore, one a person who uses several browsers and / or the computer has a separate set of cookies for each computer-browser combination. Cookies, on the other hand, make no difference between multiple users sharing the same computer and browser, unless they use different user accounts.

What to do if you do not want cookies to be installed on your computer?

     Some people find that having a place to store the information on their computer or mobile device represents to some extent interference, in particular when this information is stored and used by unknowns third parties to them. If you prefer, it is possible to block some or all of them cookies or even to remove cookies already placed on your device, but you should be aware that you may lose some functionality possibilities. To do this, you need to change the settings for privacy of your browser. Below is how.

What are these warnings everywhere that the site uses cookies?

     On May 25, 2011, the European Union introduced the requirement that all websites operating in its territory to seek the consent of their users to install cookies. The arguments in favor of the decision were that they represent potential risk in the management of personal data of EU citizens and endanger their inviolability.

     Although there is no clear text to suggest how the "consent" in question should look like, for now the standard of the so-called "silent agreement. According to him, the user allows the installation if, after writing with cookie warning continue browsing the specific website.

What guarantees me the presence or absence of such a message on a given site and which of both should bother me?

    The concept of user awareness is basically good, but the absence of such a message on a given site unfortunately in no way to you ensures that it does not use cookies. If the site in question is purpose-built misuse and/or install malware on your computer, we highly doubt that you will be warned about it.

     Almost every browser can allow or disallow the use of cookies by setting. Below we have given information about some of the most the widely used browsers.

• Tools > Internet Options > Privacy Tab
• Use the slider to set the options or use the advanced options (Advanced...)

• Tools > Cookie Manager OR
• Edit > Preferences > Privacy & Security
• Set options under Cookies
• Cookie Sites allows settings by domains: Block/Session/Allow
• Stored Cookies opens a cookie management window where they are displayed details of stored cookies, with the option to delete them or block

• Opera > Settings > Preferences… OR
• Ctrl+F12
• Advanced > Cookies
• Accept cookies - the use of cookies is allowed. The value is set by default.
• Accept only cookies from the site I visit - allowing the use of cookies only from the site you have visited.
• Never accept cookies - the use of cookies is prohibited.
• Delete new cookies when exiting Opera - delete new cookies after closing the browser. If you have visited a new site that saves information in cookies, after closing the browser, the newly created cookies are automatically deleted.
• Ask me before accepting cookies - the browser asks the user if he/she wants to use cookies if necessary.
• Manage Cookies - organizing cookies

• Options > Advanced settings
• Privacy > Content Settings > "Cookies"
• Allow setting local data (recommended) - the value is set by default.
• Allow local data to be set only for the current session.
• Set data from sites to be blocked entirely.
• Block setting of third-party cookies - yes/no
• Clear cookies and other site and plug-in data when I close my browser - yes/no