2 minutes to learn everything about cookies

On the web, we are often asked to accept or reject cookies when browsing. Many allow them, others refuse them. But who actually knows what is at stake with these features?

What is a cookie?

In computing, a cookie doesn't contain flour or chocolate, but rather data. These small files are exchanged between your computer, tablet or smartphone and the servers of the websites you visit. What's the point? To identify you in order to optimise your experience online.

A few examples of functions linked to cookies: memorising your customer ID on a merchant site to facilitate your connections, remembering the contents of your shopping basket, the language in which the site is displayed, etc. These are internal cookies.

They are managed by the website itself in order to optimise your browsing.

What about third-party cookies?

It is important to make a distinction between the latter and third-party cookies. They are deposited on different domains. As their name suggests, these cookies are managed by third parties. In other words, they are generally private companies that use them to visualise the pages you have visited. The idea? To collect information about your behaviour for advertising purposes.

Let's take a concrete example: you frequently visit a commercial site. Accepting third-party cookies can allow partners of this site to understand your browsing interests. Do you regularly consult the Apple products that you love so much (and we understand you)? The third party may identify this information and use it to display advertising content related to that brand later on the web.

So, should you accept or refuse them?

You are now able to distinguish between third-party and internal cookies. What do you do now? There is no right answer to this question. Indeed, it is up to each individual to make the choice that is best suited to his or her uses.

Some people will say that they should be systematically refused for privacy reasons. In this case, it is often more appropriate to uncheck those that cause you problems when you arrive on a website.

Others see value in personalising their online experience. No matter what you do, ads will appear during your long hours of surfing the web. Wouldn't it be better if they were relevant to your interests?

Orange Cyberdefense protects your business

Are you a self-employed person? An employee of a small or medium-sized company or a large corporation? Today, everyone is concerned by the digital world and its threats.

Orange Cyberdefense is an experienced entity in this field, with which we work hand in hand to provide you with tailor-made support. In concrete terms, we offer you turnkey solutions to secure the data and uses of your business.