What are cookies?
Cookies are powerful, small text files that are stored on your computer or mobile device when you visit a website. These text files help provide you with a personalized, optimal user experience by storing your preferences and making it easier for you to navigate and use certain features. They also contain information about the user’s browsing on the Internet, which helps to make them more useful for advertising.
In the digital advertising market, comprehensive analysis of visitor flows, personal user data and the like forms an essential basis. Numerous advertisers use this information to target advertising to specific groups and address users in the best possible way. The underlying idea is simple: every Internet user leaves a more or less extensive data trail when surfing. This contains information about visited websites, browser settings and login data.
Expected reading time: 11 minutes
Cookies – a tool for analysis
Some cookies are used to analyze user behavior on a website. This analytics tool collects information about the pages visited, the time spent on a page, the browser used and the user’s device, as well as other information. The analysis can help website operators to improve their website. They can also be used to optimize and better target marketing campaigns to specific audiences.
As a website operator or user of analytics tools, you use cookies to optimize the performance of your website. By improving navigation and usability, you can increase visitor satisfaction. They also allow to determine the number of visitors, identify the most popular pages and evaluate the effectiveness of advertising campaigns. They also help to better understand visitor behavior and create personalized offers.
Is the exchange of cookies performed automatically?
Cookies are usually exchanged automatically when a user visits a website. Your browser automatically stores these and transmits them to the visited website as soon as you call it up again. In this way, your preferences and navigation history can be stored to provide you with a personalized experience. Cookies with a specific validity period are automatically deleted after expiration. The browser also offers the possibility to control the exchange.
When a user visits a website, the website’s web server sends one or more cookies to the user’s browser. The browser then stores them on the user’s computer and automatically sends them back to the web server each time the user visits the website again. However, the user can decide whether to accept or reject them by adjusting the settings of their browser.
Interaction with web pages
Interaction with websites is often facilitated by cookies. These contain information such as user IDs, session durations, and settings that the user has made, and may also come from third-party providers. They are specifically targeted to interactions with a particular web page.
How cookies work
The way cookies work is manifold. For example, they may be used to store the user’s location, to save website display settings, and to improve website navigation. Furthermore, they can also be used to measure the effectiveness of advertising campaigns.
Different types of cookies
There are different types of cookies, such as session cookies, which are only valid for the duration of a session, and permanent cookies, which are stored for a certain period of time.
Temporary cookies are deleted when the browser is closed and help a website track and synchronize a visitor’s progress and activity during the session.
Permanent cookies
These are stored on your computer or mobile device even after you close your browser. They ensure that your preferred settings that provide you with a personalized and optimized user experience are maintained.
First-party cookies
These were stored by the visited website and allow to save your settings.
Third-party cookies
These are stored by third parties in order to provide you with relevant content on the website you visit. They are used to deliver personalized advertising and content and to evaluate the effectiveness of advertising campaigns.
Flash cookies
Also called Local Shared Objects, these cookies are programmed by Adobe Flash to store a larger amount of data. They work similarly to normal cookies and are often used to play videos and games.
These cookies are very stable because they are persistently stored on the computer or a mobile device instead of just in the browser. They are often used by advertising companies to track user behavior and provide personalized ads.
Function
Cookies are used to improve the functionality of a website and optimize the user experience. They allow a website to store the user’s preferences and settings. Functional cookies support various functions such as storing language settings, region, website display settings, login information, shopping cart information in an online store, and personalized advertising settings. Furthermore, functional cookies can analyze user behavior on the website. These cookies usually do not collect personal data and are usually accepted automatically by the browser. However, they can be blocked or deleted in the browser settings.
Performance cookies
They are used to record and analyze the performance and usage of a website. They allow us to collect information about the number of visitors they spend on the website and which pages they will visit. This data is then used to improve and optimize the user experience.
Collect information
Cookies generally do not collect sensitive personal information such as credit card information or passwords. Instead, they collect specific information about your interactions with a website and may also be used by external providers to gain insights about your browsing behavior. Since both website operators and third-party providers have their own privacy policies, it is important to be aware of which privacy policies you are accepting to ensure that you agree with their implementation.
A number of data are collected that are essential for the website to function and provide a personalized user experience. This includes, for example, browser type and version, the operating system used, the devices used and the IP address. Cookies are also used to record the date and time of access, the time spent on the website, pages visited, interactions with the website (e.g. clicks, search queries) and location and language settings.
Protection of your personal data
The protection of your personal data is of utmost relevance, especially when it comes to the use of cookies. These small files can collect and store personal information that can be used by website operators, advertisers or even unauthorized third parties. They may be used to track your navigation and browsing behavior, collect your location and preference data, store your login information, and deliver personalized advertising to you. This data may be disclosed to third parties without your knowledge, putting your privacy at risk. Not only that, but criminals can use them to perform malicious activities.
Some examples include:
Criminals abuse technologies
Phishing attacks
Criminals abuse technologies like phishing attacks to get your login credentials or other important information. They lure you to fake, trustworthy-looking websites in order to spy on you. To protect yourself from such attacks, it is recommended to carefully examine the URL of the links and use antivirus software to ward off malware attacks. Be careful when opening attachments from unknown senders or suspicious emails and create strong, unique passwords that you change regularly. Choose encrypted networks to transmit sensitive data and be wary of requests for sensitive information such as credit card numbers or passwords. Also note that criminals can use cookies to infect your computer or mobile device and spread malware.
You should always make sure that you use the latest version of your browser to be protected with the latest security updates. A firewall blocks unwanted connections to and from your computer, protecting your data. Antivirus software detects and removes malware before it can infect your computer. An ad blocker blocks unwanted advertisements and pop-ups that may contain harmful cookies. Also, be suspicious of requests for sensitive information such as credit card numbers or passwords. If you follow these precautions, you can be sure that you are protected from cybercrime and other threats.
Delete cookies?
Always make sure that you use the latest version of your browser to be protected by the latest security updates. A firewall prevents unwanted connections to and from your computer and thus secures your data. Antivirus software detects and fights malware before it can even enter your computer. An ad blocker blocks unwanted advertisements and pop-ups that may contain harmful cookies. Be wary of requests for sensitive information such as credit card numbers or passwords. Follow these safeguards to ensure you are protected from cybercrime and other threats.
Advertising & Targeting Cookies
Targeting cookies, also known as advertising cookies, are used by advertising companies to track one’s online behavior and offer personalized advertising. These cookies are often stored by third-party providers and activated as soon as you visit a website that contains content from them – for example, advertisements or social media buttons. Targeting cookies collect information about interaction with a website and then use it to deliver personalized advertising. They are also used to track behavior on multiple websites and display corresponding advertisements on other sites operated by the same company. There are technologies – like retargeting or remarketing – that help personalize your online experience. These draw on previous interaction on a page.
The ads you see may be less relevant or targeted by blocking or deleting cookies. Basic cookies are essential for the correct functioning of the website and allow it to synchronize your actions during a session, allowing you to navigate the site smoothly.
These elementary cookies support a number of important functions, for example:
- Navigation on a web page
- Access to protected website areas
- Search execution
- Management of shopping carts or orders in an online store
- Storage of settings such as language or region. They are indispensable for a smooth and flawless surfing experience.
It is important to know that elementary cookies usually do not collect personal data, and they are usually accepted automatically by the browser.
Advantages and disadvantages
Cookies are useful because they help store preferences and settings to provide you with a personalized user experience. They also track your progress during a session and synchronize your actions, making navigation easier. Some cookies also provide certain functions, such as storing shopping cart information in an online store.
However, cookies can also have disadvantages. They may collect your personal information and share it with third parties without your knowledge. This may result in the disclosure of your privacy to unauthorized third parties. If you visit many websites, cookies can take up a lot of storage space on your computer or mobile device. This can slow down your device and leave you with much less memory for other things. Keeping too many cookies on your computer or mobile device can affect performance and cause websites to load more slowly.
Opening hours
Opening hours of the SEO Agency Wittibschlager
| Monday | 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
| Tuesday | 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
| Wednesday | 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
| Thursday | 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
| Friday | 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
| Saturday | 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
| Sunday | 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
Some information about Zurich
More info
