What are cookies?

Website cookies or Internet cookies are small pieces of data sent from a website and are stored on the user's computer through the user's web browser while the user is browsing.

Information about websites (such as items added to a shopping cart in an online store) or to record a user's browsing activity (including clicking specific buttons, logging in, or recording which pages were visited).

They can be used to remember arbitrary pieces of information previously entered in a form field, such as names, addresses, passwords, and credit card numbers.

Cookies play an important role in the modern web. Perhaps most importantly, authentication cookies are the most common method used by web servers to determine whether a user is logged in and to which account they are logged in. Without such a system it is not known whether to send a page with sensitive information to the site or the user needs to log in and authenticate himself.

The security of authentication cookies generally depends on the security of the issuing website and the user's web browser, and whether the cookie data is encrypted. Security vulnerabilities may allow cookie data to be read by hackers, used to gain access to user data, or access to websites (including user credentials) on which the cookie is located.

Tracking cookies, and especially third-party tracking cookies, are commonly used as a way to compile long-term records of people's browsing history - potential privacy concerns that prompted European and US members to take action in 2011. European law states that all websites targeting EU member states must obtain "notified consent" from users before storing unnecessary cookies on their devices.

What does it mean to recognize cookies?

In short, this means that companies need your clear consent to collect your data. If a cookie can be identified by your device (which most cookies do), companies need your consent. That's why many websites are now asking for your permission before placing a cookie on your computer.

Do cookies need to be approved?

No. If a cookie recognizes you, you can reject the cookie altogether. Websites that use these cookies require your permission or face heavy penalties under various laws. So if you don't want to store cookie information about you, say no.

Google Project "Zero" researcher Jan Horn describes the way cookies are read by intermediaries, such as Wi-Fi hotspot providers. In such cases, it is recommended to use the browser in incognito mode.