These are temporary cookies that are used by a particular website only while you are browsing the site, and are deleted when you navigate away from the site. These cookies are stored in a temporary memory location, not on your device. They allow the website to remember basic information, such as which pages users have viewed. An example of where session cookies are used is in a shopping cart that stores added items even if the user is not logged in. Because session cookies are strictly necessary for the user experience, setting them does not require consent, but the website should provide information about them and their use.
As the name suggests, these are they will encourage the development of persistent cookies. When cookies are stored, they have an expiration date set by the server. They remain on the user’s hard drive until they expire or are deleted by the user, even if the web browser is closed. Persistent cookies are used to store user preferences, such as theme/language selection, favorites, etc., or to track how they navigate a particular website. A popular persistent cookie is the cookie set by Google Analytics.
How Do Third Party Cookies Work?
Third-party cookies work by specifically breaks down into the following five areas embedding JavaScript from one website into another. This allows them to transfer a user’s habits across multiple websites. Third-party cookies aggregate data collected between browsing sessions and build a clear picture of the user.
For example, when users visit a shopping site, they browse multiple categories, scrolling through products they like. Cookies injected by the shopping site allow the user to remember what they looked at and added to their cart. Third-party cookies, on the other hand, do not forget this data but may share it with other websites.
When third-party cookies consumer data are used, when you revisit the site, you will be shown products you have previously viewed and related articles you may like (based on your previous selections). Again, the primary purpose of such third-party cookies, which store a user’s online activity, is to increase the likelihood of conversion.
For users wondering why they are being served ads on sites they are visiting for the first time, the answer is often simple: third-party cookies. Third-party cookies are one of the most reliable ways to deliver targeted ads to users across the web.
First Party vs Third Party Cookies
First party cookies are primarily used to improve users’ interactions with websites and are made by the main domain, which is the website you are visiting. These are considered as an agreement between the user and the website to improve operations.
First-party cookies connect your browser to the website and exchange only the most basic data. There is not much debate about their application. First-party cookies only record the data you provide to the website and perhaps your IP address.
Third party cookies are set by external sources and not by the website owner. These are considered “non-essential cookies” under data privacy laws. Mostly tracking cookies from marketing firms, many of these cookies display adverts for items similar to your purchases or those you have added to your cart, largely due to online tracking.
In short, first-party cookies are linked to a specific website. They store some personal information to make the website easier to use. On the other hand, third-party cookies allow an external party to track your online purchases and other activities.
Are Third Party Cookies Safe?
Cookies set by third parties do not pose a significant risk. Cookies are not inherently dangerous and will not infect your computer with malicious viruses or malware. However, for some users, cookies may be considered an invasion of privacy.
Depending on your browser, you can use the instructions below to enable third-party cookies.
Google Chrome
To enable cookies in Google Chrome (Windows):
- Select the Chrome menu icon
- Select Settings.
- Near the bottom of the page, select Show Advanced Settings.
- In the “Privacy” section, select Content Settings and then Cookies.
- On the Cookies page, make sure the Block third-party cookies slider is turned off.
- Close the browser and reload it.