In today’s digital world, websites and online services constantly collect user data to personalize experiences, deliver targeted ads, and improve functionality. However, many users remain unaware of how their browsing activities are tracked and stored. This article explores common data collection methods, including browser cookies, local storage, cross-site tracking, and web beacons, along with their privacy implications.
1. Browser Cookies and Local StorageWhat Are Cookies?
Cookies are small text files stored on a user’s device by websites they visit. They serve various purposes:
Session Cookies: Temporary files deleted when the browser closes (e.g., keeping users logged in).
Persistent Cookies: Remain on the device for a set duration .
Third-Party Cookies: Placed by domains other than vietnam phone number list the one being visited, often used for advertising and tracking.
Local Storage vs. Cookies
While cookies have size limits (typically 4KB) and expire, local storage (part of HTML5’s Web Storage API) allows websites to store larger amounts of data (up to 5-10MB) indefinitely. Unlike cookies, local storage data is not sent to servers with every HTTP request, but it can still be accessed by JavaScript, making it useful for offline applications—and tracking.
Understanding Data Collection in Web Browsing: Cookies, Trackers, and Privacy Risks
-
- Posts: 92
- Joined: Thu May 22, 2025 5:45 am