The Hidden Dangers of Cookies: What You Need to Know
When you use websites and apps, you’re often presented with a choice: accept all cookies or reject them. But what does this really mean, and what are the implications of your decision?
The humble cookie: a tasty treat or a threat to your online security?
Cookies are small pieces of data that websites store on your device. They can be used for a variety of purposes, including authentication, security, and measuring your use of a site. However, they can also be used for more nefarious purposes, such as tracking your browsing habits and serving you targeted advertising.
“If you click ‘Accept all’, we and our partners… will also store and/or access information on a device… and use precise geolocation data and other personal data such as IP address and browsing and search data, for personalised advertising and content, advertising and content measurement, and audience research and services development.” - Yahoo
This quote from Yahoo highlights the potential risks of accepting all cookies. By doing so, you’re not only allowing the website to store data on your device, but also giving permission for your personal data to be used for targeted advertising and other purposes.
The dark side of targeted advertising
So what can you do to protect yourself? The first step is to be more mindful of the cookies you accept. When presented with the option to accept all cookies, consider clicking ‘Reject all’ instead. This will prevent websites from storing data on your device and using your personal data for targeted advertising.
Alternatively, you can click ‘Manage privacy settings’ to customize your choices. This will give you more control over the types of cookies that are stored on your device and how your personal data is used.
Taking control of your online privacy
It’s also important to remember that you can change your choices at any time. Most websites provide a ‘Privacy & cookie settings’ or ‘Privacy dashboard’ link that allows you to update your preferences.
Your privacy dashboard: the key to taking control of your online data
In conclusion, cookies may seem like a minor issue, but they can have serious implications for your online security and privacy. By being more mindful of the cookies you accept and taking control of your online data, you can protect yourself from the hidden dangers of cookies.
