What Are Website/Browser Cookies?

Cookies – also known as browser cookies, HTTP cookies, web cookies, computer cookies, or even “magic cookies” – were created to solve a fundamental flaw in the computer language that browsers and websites use to interact with one another.

HTTP, or hypertext transfer protocol, is an application layer protocol in the Internet protocol suite model for distributed, collaborative, hypermedia information systems. An internet cookie is a data packet that is exchanged between a website and a user’s browser. Its function is to track website users’ activity and is used mostly for Online Advertising.

A cookie is a tiny text file that contains a unique ID tag that is duplicated in two places: one on your machine and one on the website.

The information a cookie collects about each user’s activity on a website can be utilized to enable and improve the operation of common website features such as login procedures, user comment areas, and shopping carts.

When a user returns to a website that has placed a cookie on their computer, the website can identify the user based on the cookie. This enables the site to significantly improve the user’s experience. For example, the visitor’s login credentials can be saved for a faster authentication procedure, their basket or wish list will be up to date, and so on.

Cookies hold information that may be used to do important website analytics. It provides site owners with data on which pages are most frequently viewed, how long visitors spend on specific sites, and a variety of other statistics regarding user activity on their website.

Types of Cookies

Cookies are classified into several sorts or categories:

1. Session Cookies

Session Cookies are transient cookies that are only saved in the user’s browser memory until the browser is shut. These cookies are erased when the browser is shut.

2. Persistent Cookies

Cookies that have an expiration are known as persistent cookies. These are retained on a user’s device to help recall previously created info, configurations, preferences, or sign-on details.

How to Disable Browser Cookies

How to Disable Browser Cookies

Cookies are innocuous pieces of data that are used to improve your online browsing experience. Most websites ask about your preference either you want to choose to accept or reject cookies. You may also let your browsers know about your choice, such as accepting all cookies, rejecting third-party cookies, and so on. Here are some guidelines for controlling cookie usage in various browsers.

Steps to Disable Browser Cookies on Chrome

Please follow these procedures to deactivate cookies in Chrome:

1. Launch Chrome.
2. Select More and choose Settings.
3. Select Advanced.
4. Go to Site Setting just below “the Privacy and settings” tab
5. Select Cookies.

Steps to Disable Browser Cookies on Safari

Please follow these steps to deactivate cookies in Safari:

1. Launch Safari
2. Open Safari Menu and Select Preferences
3. Go to the Privacy tab.
4. Select Block cookies to disable cookies.

Steps to Disable Browser Cookies on Edge

Please follow these steps to deactivate cookies in Edge:

1. Launch the Microsoft Edge browser.
2. Select More, then Settings from the drop-down menu.
3. Select View Advanced Options.
4. Select the Cookies option.
5. Check the box next to Block All Cookies.

Steps to Disable Browser Cookies on Opera

Please follow these procedures to deactivate cookies in Firefox:

1. Launch Opera
2. Select Settings from the Open Menu.
3. Select Preferences from the drop-down menu
4. Go to the Advanced tab.
5. Choose “Never accept cookies” in the “Cookies” section.

Steps to Disable Browser Cookies on Safari mobile

Please follow these procedures to deactivate cookies on Safari Mobile:

1. Open Opera and navigate to Settings from the Open Menu.
2. Go to Preferences
3. Choose Advanced tab
4. Go to the “Cookies” section and choose “Never accept cookies.”