What ‘accepting cookies’ really does and whether you should ‘reject all’ instead
All of us have probably opened a website at some point and, because we were so eager to browse, quickly pressed a button in the hopes of pop-ups disappearing.
While some of these boxes would have been beauty advertisements, other times you may have come face-to-face with an ‘accept or reject cookies’ banner.
If you’ve ever blindly clicked ‘accept all cookies’ and not really known what it meant, then you could have unknowingly caused your laptop harm and made your data vulnerable.
Or, if you’re in the habit of punching the ‘reject all’ button, then your browsing experience may have been majorly affected.
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Below, we’ve detailed everything you need to know about cookies, including what they are, the different types available, and what happens if you choose not to accept them.
What are cookies?
An internet cookie, sometimes referred to as a HTTP cookie, is a small block of data created by a web server while a user is browsing a website.
These text files are downloaded onto your computer or mobile with the purpose of remembering your device, keeping you signed in, and your language preference.
Different types of cookies
Cookies set by the site that you’re visiting are called first-party cookies. These are the text files that can improve user experience.
Third-party cookies are usually used for advertising and marketing efforts. This type of data can sometimes be sold by companies, so it’s worth keeping an eye on.
These cookies are either session cookies - temporarily created while you’re browsing a site - or persistent cookies, which can be stored for longer periods.
Once a browser is inactive for a period of time or closed, session cookies are automatically deleted.
Persistent cookies, meanwhile, have an expiry date ranging from days to years.
What does ‘accepting all cookies’ mean?
In 2011, it became a legal requirement for websites operating in the EU and the UK to inform visitors about cookies.
Seven years later, GDPR set a new standard for consent, demanding that the option to ‘accept’ or ‘reject’ cookies was clear.
By hitting ‘accept all’ on website cookies, you give the site permission to store the small text files on your device.
This usually means a better, personalised browsing experience is on the cards.
Essential cookies that make the site work, as well as targeted ads and tracking features, will also be downloaded onto your electronic device.
Should you ‘reject all’ cookies?
According to Norton, a leading computer security programme, it’s not always safe to ‘accept all’ cookies.
“Rules like the GDPR were designed to give you control over your data and browsing history,” the experts explained.
There are therefore some scenarios where you may not want to accept or keep cookies, such as visiting unencrypted websites and when cookies are marked as ‘suspicious’ by your antivirus software.
However, hitting ‘reject all’ cookies could create potential problems.
This includes the fact that some websites may not allow you to use it if you ‘reject’ its cookies.
Another downside is that without hitting the ‘accept’ button, you may not receive the full user experience
What cookies should you ‘accept’ and which should you ‘reject’?
You can’t usually opt out of essential cookies, and you probably wouldn’t want to.
If you did, then you may not be able to access parts of the website you’re using, such as your shopping cart.
If you don’t want to automatically reject everything, then you can decide to opt out of ‘non-essential cookies’ instead.
These include analytics cookies, which provide the admin statistical information about visitors on the site, and advertising cookies, which build up a profile for you.
If you feel like you’ve made a mistake by ‘rejecting all’ cookies, you can usually update your preferences in ‘cookie settings’.
Happy browsing!
Topics: Technology, UK News
Ella Scott