Online Privacy: Cookies and Tracking

When you’re surfing the web, you’re not always alone! Websites can keep track of where you’ve been and what you’ve done.

What are Cookies?

A cookie is a tiny piece of information that a website stores on your computer. It’s like a digital “memory” for the website. For example, a cookie can remember that you’ve already logged in so you don’t have to type your password again on every page!

Tracking Your Journey

Some cookies are used for tracking. They can follow you from one website to another and see what you’re interested in. This is how a website can show you an ad for a toy you were looking at on a different website yesterday!

Protecting Your Privacy

You can control cookies in your web browser’s settings. You can choose to block all cookies, or you can “clear” your cookies so websites forget who you are. Using a “Private” or “Incognito” window in your browser is another way to stop websites from saving cookies while you’re browsing.

Did you know?

• Cookie Crumbs: Most cookies are harmless and actually make the web easier to use, like remembering what you have in your shopping cart.
• Third-Party Cookies: These are cookies set by a different website than the one you’re visiting. They are often used by advertising companies to track your behavior across many different websites!
• A “Privacy Policy”: Every website should have a “Privacy Policy” that explains what information they collect about you and how they use it. You can usually find a link to it at the very bottom of the page!

Check Your Knowledge

1. What is a “cookie”?
2. What is one way that cookies are helpful for users?
3. What is “tracking” in terms of cookies?
4. How can you stop a website from saving cookies on your computer?
5. Why is it a good idea to read a website’s “Privacy Policy”?