When browsing the internet you may encounter pop-ups or other types of warning about the use of cookies. Some websites even allow you to choose whether or not to accept cookies in full or in part.
But first, you need to know what cookies are.
What are Cookies?
Cookies are data stored in your browser that can contain various information that generates knowledge about your internet activity.
The main purpose of a cookie is to identify users and present them with personalised webpages according to preferences for easier navigation, as well as to save your website’s login information. That’s why sometimes when you return to a website, instead of seeing a generic welcome page, you get a personalised welcome, for example.
Some websites use cookies to store additional personal information. However, you can only do this if you have provided the website with it. Secure websites will encrypt personal data contained in cookies to prevent unwanted access by third parties.
Cookies and cybercriminals
Cookies by themselves do not pose security risks, however, they can be used by cybercriminals to impersonate the user, collect financial data, access their accounts or to steal passwords that are stored in the browser. These can spread malware and induce you to visit dangerous websites. Cybercriminals can also use cookies to make websites appear inaccessible to web browsers.
Cookies can pose a serious threat to privacy. Marketing cookies have advanced significantly in their ability to track users over time, from simple tasks such as counting ad impressions, views and clicks, to limiting pop-ups and retaining the ad sequence. They can currently perform user profiling/tracking of website preferences.
How to be safe with Cookies?
While cookies can be a security concern, with some care in online activity it is possible to avoid or minimise these dangers. Here are some suggestions for protecting yourself from the most dangerous features of cookies:
- When exchanging personal information, always be cautious. Cookies have the potential to communicate such information, so proceed with caution.
- Deactivate the storage of cookies in your browser. This reduces the amount of data exchanged, you can change your browser’s privacy settings and avoid storing passwords in the browser.
- There are browser add-ons that disable third-party software, such as cookie trackers, keeping your browsing data private. Always look for reliable and recommended add-ons.
- Always keep anti-malware software updated on your device, as malware can impersonate harmless cookies or enter advertising networks.
- If a website asks you to accept cookies and you are not sure if it is legitimate, stop browsing immediately.
FAQs
Cookies are small files of information that a web server generates and sends to a web browser. Web browsers store the cookies they receive for a predetermined period of time, or for the length of a user's session on a website. They attach the relevant cookies to any future requests the user makes of the web server.
What are cookies in cyber security? ›
Cookies are small files of information that a web server generates and sends to a web browser. Web browsers store the cookies they receive for a predetermined period of time, or for the length of a user's session on a website. They attach the relevant cookies to any future requests the user makes of the web server.
What is the best practice for cookie session? ›
Website owners should follow best practices such as providing clear and concise cookie policies, using secure cookies, and minimizing the amount of information stored in cookies. They should also provide users with the ability to opt-out of certain types of cookies. Privacy tip: Take control of your online data!
What are the best practices for cookie notifications? ›
Cookie banners should clearly state why cookies are used, the types of cookies in operation (including third-party cookies), and how users can accept, reject, or customize their preferences. It's also a best practice to provide a direct link to the website's cookie policy for users who wish to learn more.
How can cookies be used for cyber attacks? ›
Cookies and cybercriminals
Cookies by themselves do not pose security risks, however, they can be used by cybercriminals to impersonate the user, collect financial data, access their accounts or to steal passwords that are stored in the browser.
What do hackers use cookies for? ›
Browser cookies – often just referred to as cookies – track your comings and goings on websites. And when a cyber thief gets their mitts on your browser cookies, it can open all kinds of doors into your online accounts.
What is best practice in cyber security? ›
Using strong passwords, updating your software, thinking before you click on suspicious links, and turning on multi-factor authentication are the basics of what we call “cyber hygiene” and will drastically improve your online safety.
What are the 5 C's of cyber security? ›
This article discusses and explains the 5 C's of cybersecurity—Change, Continuity, Cost, Compliance, and Coverage—highlighting their importance in modern-day digital defense mechanisms.
What are the best practices for secure cookie management? ›
To safeguard these cookies, the Secure, HttpOnly, and SameSite attributes should be used to protect against unauthorized access and CSRF attacks. Additionally, sensitive data should never be stored directly in cookies, even if encrypted.
How do I keep cookies secure? ›
Don't store sensitive data in cookies, unless you absolutely have to. Use Session cookies if possible. Otherwise set a strict expiration. Use the HttpOnly and the Secure flags of cookies.
To ensure that cookies aren't transmitted in clear text, it's possible to send them with a secure flag. Web browsers supporting the "secure" flag only send cookies having the "secure" flag when the request uses HTTPS.
What is the best cookie policy? ›
Cookie consent banners should be clear, concise, and easy to understand, and they should include information about the categories of cookies the site uses and their purpose. For example, the banner might state that the website uses analytics cookies to track user behavior and advertising cookies to serve targeted ads.
What is the cookie management policy? ›
A cookie policy lets users of a particular website know what cookies run on that website, what data they track, why they track it, and where the cookies send data. It also tells users how to opt out of these cookies and how to change settings around them.
What is session management with cookies? ›
With cookie-based session management, a message (cookie) containing user information is sent to the browser by the web server. This cookie is sent back to the server when the user tries to access certain pages.
