3rd Party Cookies
Published: 2022-12-31 02:31:30

I am writing this blog because came across a scenario where I was using the social Login Microsoft, Google, and LinkedIn using passport strategy, and these Log-In doesn’t work when 3rd party cookies are disabled, and each browser has different settings to enable 3rd party cookies ref. [Browser settings to enable 3rd party cookies] (https://help.joinhoney.com/article/290-what-if-i-want-to-log-into-honey-with-google-but-have-3rd-party-cookies-disabled). Below, I have listed a few points which I thought we should know about the 3rd party cookies.

**Let's first understand what is cookies.**
At their most basic, cookies are small files that websites send to your browser. They then track and monitor the sites you visit and your browsing activity on these pages. Retailers might use cookies to remember what items you've put in your online shopping cart, while news sites might use them to remember what stories you've clicked on in the past. Other sites might use cookies to remember your login information so that it automatically pops up when you visit the site’s log-in page.

**What is Third Party Cookies?**
Third-party cookies are cookies that are set by a website other than the one you are currently on. In my case, want to disable the social login button options when Third-party cookies are disabled and enabled social login buttons when cookies are enabled. Handled it using the code. Please, ref. [First-party vs Third-party Cookies] (https://chamith.medium.com/react-hook-to-check-third-party-cookies-enabled-in-the-browser-e542ce73fff3) for more details

**Why we required Third party cookies?**
Third-party cookies are usually used to analyze your web activity. Since a third-party cookie is mainly interested in user behavior, it keeps track of the user’s internet activity. Once it recognizes you, it can store your browsing history. It is considered an effective way of targeted and personalized marketing.

The most common third-party entities are advertisers, marketers, and social media platforms.

**Are third-party cookies safe?**
Cookies are not necessarily a bad thing. The code behind them will not infect your computer, install adware or malware on your device, or alter your devices.

But you might not like the fact that third-party cookies track your online browsing. These cookies allow websites to track your activity even if you’re not using their sites. If you think that is an invasion of your online privacy, then you might want to disable cookies. 

**Should you enable or disable third-party cookies?**
When you visit any website, it will store at least one cookie — a first-party cookie — on your browser. This cookie remembers your basic activity on the site.
Most sites store third-party cookies on your browser, too. If you want to keep social media companies, advertisers, and other website operators from tracking your online browsing, these are the cookies to disable.

**Benefits of Third-Party Cookies**
**Convenience** is a major one. A cookie that follows a user around the internet can allow them to take advantage of pre-filled address information on order forms, for instance. Websites can also get your location and serve you the most relevant information for your area.

**Personalization** is another major benefit. How would you get related videos on YouTube or related products on Amazon if your interests and browsing history couldn’t follow you around the web? People enjoy seeing things they have an interest in, and third-party cookies are the reason they can do so.

**Relevant** ads are an important aspect of these browser cookies. It’s not helpful for either a business or a consumer if the ads being shown have nothing to do with their needs, wants, or desires. It’s a waste of company money and it wastes the prospect's time as well.

With cookies, you can ensure that a person is seeing offers that are the most relevant to their life and goals. That’s a win-win. Most consumers agree – if they must see ads, they’d rather see relevant ones. 90% of consumers say that irrelevant messages from companies are annoying.

**Drawbacks of Using Browser Cookies**
The biggest problem that consumers have with third-party cookies is related to cookies and privacy: they feel their privacy is being invaded. How can cookies invade privacy? Cookies allow companies to track every website visited, marketers collect a lot of data about each person. This can be very uncomfortable for consumers, especially since this data can be accessed by almost anyone.

Even the cookies that allow for personalization aren’t without risk. There are security problems in some of the software that can allow outside parties to access name, address, and even credit card information if it’s stored in the browser.

**Conclusion:**
In the end, it’s important to use Third-Party cookies sensibly.