Understanding the Risks of Malicious Cookies and How to Protect Your Online Security
First Party: Think of cookies as the digital footprints you leave behind while browsing the web. When you visit a website, a first-party cookie is generated and saved in your browser. Its purpose is to store information such as your login credentials and shopping cart, so you don’t have to enter them repeatedly. Additionally, first-party cookies remember your preferences and settings, making your browsing experience more convenient.
Although cookies can be helpful, they can also be invasive. Companies utilize cookies to monitor your online activity, including the sites you visit, even if it’s not theirs. Advertisers are particularly fond of cookies as they aid in customizing the ads you view. By tailoring the ads to your interests, you are more likely to click on them, resulting in a greater return on investment.
Third Party: Your browser can prevent third-party cookies and other intrusive tools from tracking you. The degree of protection offered varies, but it is worth adjusting your default settings to increase your privacy. Click or tap here to learn how to modify your privacy settings in some of the most commonly used browsers.
Preventing third-party cookies and tracking is a step in the right direction, but what if you could avoid being tracked altogether? This is where AdChoices and WebChoices come into play.
AdChoices:
AdChoices is an initiative developed by the Digital Advertising Alliance, a consortium of advertising and marketing firms that aim to provide users with options for personalized advertising. But why would they self-regulate? To prevent external regulation
The next time you come across an online advertisement, be on the lookout for the AdChoices icon. It is a small blue triangle with a lowercase “i” in the center. By clicking on it, you can obtain information about the ad, modify its settings, and even block it. Keep in mind that not all advertisers are a part of the program, but the symbol will indicate if they are.
WebChoices, a tool embedded within AdChoices that enables you to opt-out of numerous companies with a single click. However, it only applies to those that participate in the program. Additionally, you may want to consider removing the secretive ID on your phone that exposes your personal information.
Learn how to use WebChoices with these simple steps:
- Go to the https://optout.aboutads.info to utilize WebChoices. The program will scan your browser and device to determine whether first-party and third-party cookies are active, as well as which companies are producing personalized ads for you. It will also display a list of businesses that you have already opted out of if you’ve used the tool before.
- Once the status check is finished, select Continue.
- To determine which businesses employ targeted advertising, examine the Customizing Ads on your Browser column. If it says Yes, you can opt-out of that company by selecting the box under the Opt-Out column. Alternatively, you may select everything by clicking Opt-Out of All.
- After making your selection, click Submit Your Choices. You can bypass these stages by choosing Opt-Out of All as the first step.
- The website will process your selection, and you can click View Updated Results to view the outcome.
- WebChoices is designed for your current browser, so run it for each one if you have multiple browsers. If you miss any companies during your first run, try rerunning the scan.
- If you delete cookies, you may not see the opt-out choices for the company. Therefore, it is recommended to run the scan now and then.
