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tailored to your interests. Functions for each
cookie placed actually will depend on who is
responsible for placing it.
So who places cookies?
Cookies can be broken up into two general
groups: First-party cookies and Third-party
cookies. First-party cookies are placed by the
website that you visit and can create a more
efficient experience. These cookies will store
information like items in your shopping cart, your
log-in name, site preferences (ex. Displaying
weather for your hometown), high score for
games, and so on. Cookies can also be placed
by other sources that the visited website grants
permission. These cookies are known as Third-
party cookies. The typical uses for these cookies
are tracking your browsing habits and creating
ads that are targeted toward your interests.
Another common use for third-party cookies is
for analytic companies to see how you are using
certain websites.
Do you need them?
It is recommended to keep First-Party Cookies
enabled because they can affect the normal
functionality of a website. If Third-Party Cookies
tracking your web browsing habits make you
uncomfortable, then they can be disabled without
affecting First-party cookies. A tutorial on how to
disable Third-Party cookies in Google Chrome,
Mozilla Firefox, and Microsoft Edge is available
on the IT website
( Disabling Browser Cookies ).
Note: for more information on browser cookies
visit the
Federal Trade Commission’s website ,which provides an in-depth explanation of
browser cookies.
- Joseph Marks, User Services
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