Now we all know that there are a lot of misconceptions and myths about cookies and that the internet cookie is generally as harmless as its edible counterpart. But are all cookies good? Or are there other cookies that we might need to be concerned about?
Now there are two types of cookies - the one we call first party cookies and the third party cookies.
First party cookies are cookies which are sent by the main site that you are visiting. Like for example, if you log in to blogger, the blogger server will place a cookie text file to your computer that serves as your identification, so that the next time you will visit the site, the server will recognize you and provide for automatic log in. First party cookies are usually more of a help than a harm, because they come from the trusted sites that we habitually go to.
Third party cookies on the other hand, are cookies coming from any domain that can track your browsing activity. Advertisement banners or pop up ads usually lodge cookies into your computer even though you do not want them or you do have any interest in visiting the said domains. This is the kind of cookie that we may want to avoid because they just basically sort of barge into the connection between the browser and the main site server and can sometimes get really annoying (You know how those pop ups are.)
Oh No You Don't!: Blocking Third Party Cookies
If you do not want advertisers to go on sneaking on your cookies whenever you visit a site which has sponsored advertisements, you might want to block them from accessing your computer cookies or placing tracking cookies. If you are using a Firefox browser, you can disable third party cookies by following these steps:
1. Click the Tools tab at the top of the Firefox browser. A drop down box will show up.
2. Click Options, that is usually found at the lowermost portion of the drop down box.
Now there are two types of cookies - the one we call first party cookies and the third party cookies.
First party cookies are cookies which are sent by the main site that you are visiting. Like for example, if you log in to blogger, the blogger server will place a cookie text file to your computer that serves as your identification, so that the next time you will visit the site, the server will recognize you and provide for automatic log in. First party cookies are usually more of a help than a harm, because they come from the trusted sites that we habitually go to.
Third party cookies on the other hand, are cookies coming from any domain that can track your browsing activity. Advertisement banners or pop up ads usually lodge cookies into your computer even though you do not want them or you do have any interest in visiting the said domains. This is the kind of cookie that we may want to avoid because they just basically sort of barge into the connection between the browser and the main site server and can sometimes get really annoying (You know how those pop ups are.)
Oh No You Don't!: Blocking Third Party Cookies
If you do not want advertisers to go on sneaking on your cookies whenever you visit a site which has sponsored advertisements, you might want to block them from accessing your computer cookies or placing tracking cookies. If you are using a Firefox browser, you can disable third party cookies by following these steps:
1. Click the Tools tab at the top of the Firefox browser. A drop down box will show up.
2. Click Options, that is usually found at the lowermost portion of the drop down box.
3. Go to the Privacy section of the Options panel box.
4. Uncheck the Accept Third-Party Cookies option box.
4. Uncheck the Accept Third-Party Cookies option box.
5. Click OK. You have now prompted Firefox to block third party cookies.
Now these cookies are, again, generally harmless. If you are, however, a person who wants his internet activity de-cluttered of most internet pop up ads, you better disable those third party cookies or install pop up ad blockers. There are some websites though, that use third party cookies like Microsoft Hotmail, MSN, and Windows Live Mail Webmail, and blocking third party cookies can pose a complication when you are users of these sites.
So you decide. Cookies aren't the scariest thing on the internet after all.
No comments:
Post a Comment