Cookies Of The Internet: A Comprehensive Guide
Tags: programming, softwareengineering, webdev, beginners
Published: 2023-11-21 22:29:57

**Cookies** play an important role in shaping the modern internet landscape because they are small pieces of information stored within your browser that help to customize user experiences on websites. Consider the operation of an e-commerce platform as an example. These cookies enable the platform to remember the contents of your shopping cart even if you close and reopen your browser, eliminating the need to log in multiple times. In the digital realm, cookies, like the characters in a detective or spy film, serve as both allies and adversaries. 

**Cookies**, in this analogy, act as online detectives, collecting and storing data that aids in the smooth operation of websites. They act as silent observers, gathering data on your preferences, items in your shopping cart, and browsing habits. This monitoring is not malicious; rather, it improves user convenience.

**Cookies**, like characters in a movie, can be perceived as potential threats, displaying a dual nature. While they help to provide personalized experiences, there is a potential downside to the indiscriminate collection of user data. In some cases, these digital detectives may be used against the user's best interests, raising concerns about privacy and data security.

**Let's Go Deeper**

Let's go back in time to when cookies first appeared. Cookies were invented in 1994 by Lou Montulli, a Netscape Communication employee. Montulli collaborated with John Giannandrea to create a one-of-a-kind solution that would aid in the creation of shopping carts for e-commerce stores. 

Initially, supported browsers accepted all cookies by default, which meant that users were unaware that cookies were present in their browser. Later Everything changed in 1996 when they were revealed in a magazine called the Financial Times, and they were subjected to intense scrutiny over the next few years due to the privacy risks they posed as they tracked visitors across a website. 

The Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) was tasked with creating a formal cookie specification. This meant that third-party cookies (tracking cookies) were supposed to be blocked or allowed only when a user specifically requested them. 

**Types Of Cookies**

We will look at some of the different types of cookies and how they are used. 

1) **Session Cookies:** They are temporary data files stored in the memory of your browser. They exist only for the duration of your browsing session due to their limited storage capacity. Session cookies are automatically deleted when you close your browser, similar to how a refrigerator's light turns off when the door is closed. They enable seamless, temporary communication between your browser and a website, enhancing your online experience by storing data only for the duration of your active session.

2)**Persistent Cookies:** They are long-lasting data files that are stored on your device for an extended period of time. In contrast to session cookies, persistent cookies are intended to track your browsing activity over time and frequently have an expiration date. Even after you close your browser, these cookies remain, allowing them to retain information beyond a single session. 

A common example is the "remember me" feature on website logins, which uses persistent cookies to save login credentials across multiple sessions. This increased storage duration improves user convenience while also raising concerns about privacy and data tracking practices.

3) **Authentication Cookies:** They are required to keep user sessions on websites active. When a user logs in, they generate a unique identifier string that is linked to the user's account information. Consider authentication cookies to be a digital vacation guide; just as you would receive a guide upon arrival at a destination, they provide a personalized experience by ensuring that the correct information is delivered to the right user during their online journey.

Authentication cookies, similar to how a vacation guide helps you navigate and discover the best places, help users access their accounts securely and receive information tailored to their profiles.

4) **Zombie cookies**, also known as evercookies or supercookies, have the unusual ability to regenerate even after users delete them. To create backup copies of themselves, zombie cookies use multiple storage techniques, often beyond the conventional browser cookie storage, much like a resilient superhero in a movie who can revive after facing adversity. This persistence allows them to reappear, retaining their presence and tracking capabilities despite attempts by users to remove them. Because of this, zombie cookies are a particularly difficult and intrusive form of online tracking.

**Third Party Cookies**

Third-party cookies are set by a domain other than the one the user is currently on. When a user visits a website (let's call it Website A) that contains ads served by a different domain (Website B), the cookies set by Website B are referred to as third-party cookies. One of the major concerns of third party cookies  are user privacy and tracking. Because these cookies are set by domains other than the one with which the user is currently interacting, they can be used to track users across multiple websites. This information may be used by advertisers, analytics companies, and other third-party entities to create user profiles, deliver targeted ads, and analyze user behavior.

To address these privacy concerns, there has been an increase in user control over cookies, as well as regulatory measures aimed at improving transparency and user consent regarding cookie usage. Many web browsers now include tools for blocking or limiting third-party cookies, and laws such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) require websites to obtain user permission before storing cookies, particularly those related to tracking and personal data.

**Risks Of Cookies**

While cookies play an important role in improving the functionality and user experience of websites, there are risks associated with them, particularly in terms of privacy and security. Here are some of the most common risks associated with cookies:

**Tracking User Behavior:** Cookies can be used to track users across websites, building detailed profiles of their online activities. Because users may be unaware of the extent of data collection, this tracking raises privacy concerns.

**Security Concerns:**

_Session Hijacking:_ If an attacker obtains access to a user's session cookie, he or she can impersonate the user without requiring the login credentials. This is referred to as session hijacking.

**XSS (Cross-Site Scripting):**
_Injection of Malicious Code:_ If a website is vulnerable to XSS attacks, attackers can inject malicious scripts into cookies, potentially compromising user data and allowing unauthorized access.


**Unauthorized Actions:** Cookies can be used in Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) attacks, in which an attacker tricks a user's browser into performing actions on a website without the user's consent.

**Cookie Theft:**
_Unauthorized Access:_ If cookies are intercepted, attackers can use them to gain unauthorized access to user accounts, potentially resulting in data breaches.

**Third-Party Cookies:** 
_Data Sharing:_ Third-party cookies, which are frequently used for advertising and analytics, can result in extensive tracking and sharing of user data across websites, potentially jeopardizing user privacy.

**Targeted Advertising:** Cookies are frequently used to create user profiles for targeted advertising. While this can improve ad relevance, it can also feel distracting and raise questions about data exploitation. 

**Browser FingerPrinting:** Cookies and other tracking technologies contribute to browser fingerprinting, in which a user's unique device and browser characteristics are used for identification, potentially without their knowledge.


Browsers have implemented privacy features such as cookie management settings, incognito modes, and tracking prevention to mitigate these risks. Furthermore, regulatory frameworks such as the GDPR and the CCPA seek to protect user privacy by requiring transparent disclosure and obtaining user consent for cookie usage. Website owners and developers are also important players in implementing secure coding practices and respecting user privacy preferences.

In conclusion, while cookies are necessary for improving website functionality, they are not without risks, the most serious of which are privacy and security concerns. User tracking, session hijacking, malicious code injection, unauthorized actions, and data breaches are among the risks. Supercookies and evercookies are advanced tracking techniques that raise concerns about persistent user profiling. Third-party cookies and browser fingerprinting also contribute to privacy concerns.