Have you noticed that some search engines, like Google, know what you are likely to ask? You see auto completions that relate to what you are looking for. Also, how does the eCommerce site remember your cart and items, your language preferences, and your login information? All this is done with the help of website cookies. In this article, I will explain what cookies are, their benefits, and their drawbacks.
What exactly are web cookies?
Web cookies, internet cookies, or browser cookies are tiny text generated by a website and stored in the user's machine to record the activity or information about a visit or visitor, so as to make their experience on the website more customizable and convenient. they can also be used to track users track a`users behaviours in the website such as the page a user visit, how long a user spent on that page as well as what they click on,
Why do websites use cookies?
Cookies can be very helpful in many ways, such as:
Analytics: This helps the website owner know how the website is performing and also helps identify some areas of the website that need improvement.
Personalization: The most important feature of cookies is that they enable the website owner to remember the user's preferences, such as login information, shopping cart items, and language preferences.
Improve the user experience: With the help of cookies, the user experience can be improved by remembering a user's settings, Browsing history and other preferences, which makes the website more customized and convenient for users.
Is it possible that web cookies are harmful?
Web cookies can be a very useful tool, but they also have a downside or disadvantage, such as:
Privacy: Web cookies are used to collect personal information about a particular user without the user's knowledge and the information collected can be used for targeted advertising or sold to third party companies without the user's consent.
Security: Cookies can be a big security risk because they are vulnerable to cyberattacks and hacking. This can lead to users' personal information being compromised and also to identity theft.
Misuse by malicious websites: Malicious websites use cookies to track users' behavior, steal their personal information and even install malware on their computers or devices.
Conclution
While cookies are very important for websites to customize users' preferences, it can also be a threat to a user and pose security risks. It is essential for users to understand how cookies work and become able to identify harmful cookies to help make an informed decision about online activities and prevent cyber-attacks.
https://www.centdam.com.ng/blog/post/website-cookies-their-advantages-and-disadvantages/
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