Technology

What are Internet Cookies?

nternet cookies are one of the most misunderstood bits of the web. They’re often blamed for “tracking,” yet they’re also the reason your shopping cart works, you stay logged in, and your language preferences don’t reset every time you refresh a page.

This guide explains what cookies are, how they work, the different types (including the ones advertisers love), the real security/privacy risks, and what’s changed recently-especially around third-party cookies and browser privacy features.

What are cookies (in plain English)?

A cookie is a small piece of text data a website asks your browser to store. Each cookie is usually tied to a specific website (domain) and is sent back to that site on future visits. Cookies help websites remember things about you-like login status, what’s in your cart, or whether you’ve accepted a cookie banner.

A cookie is not a program and cannot run code. It’s just text-like a label with a few fields.

How cookies work (step-by-step)

When you visit a website for the first time, a typical flow looks like this:

1. Pick 3–5 commercial themes (your core services/products).

2. The server responds with the page and may include a “Set-Cookie” instruction telling your browser to store a cookie.

3.Your browser stores the cookie locally (in your browser profile on your device).

4.On later requests to that same site, your browser automatically sends the cookie back in the “Cookie” request header.

5. The site uses that cookie value to recognise your session or preferences, and can respond accordingly.

Example: an online store

If you add items to a cart and then come back later, a cookie might help the site:

Important detail: a cookie often stores a unique identifier (e.g., a session token), not your entire browsing history. The “meaning” of that ID is usually stored server-side.

Why cookies matter for business websites

Cookies power everyday features customers expect:

Logins and authentication (staying signed in)
Shopping carts and checkout flows
Preferences (language, theme, region, accessibility options)
Analytics (understanding what content performs and where users drop off)
Marketing attribution (which channels drive conversions)

Without cookies (or alternative storage), many modern web experiences become clunky or break entirely—especially for eCommerce and membership sites.

The main types of cookies you’ll hear about

1) Session cookies (temporary)

Session cookies typically last only while your browser session is open. They’re commonly used to keep you logged in as you navigate a site.

2) Persistent cookies (longer-lasting)

Persistent cookies remain until they expire (or you delete them). They’re used for remembering preferences and “keep me signed in” options.

3) First-party cookies

A first-party cookie is set by the site you’re actively visiting (its domain appears to match the site in the address bar). Common uses:

4) Third-party cookies

A third-party cookie is set by a different domain than the site you’re visiting-often ad tech platforms, social widgets, and embedded services.

This is where most privacy controversy lives, because third-party cookies can enable cross-site tracking-following a user across many websites to build a profile.

“Cookies” aren’t just one thing anymore: key cookie attributes that affect privacy and security

SEO-Key-Factors-Computing Australia Group

Modern browsers support cookie settings (“attributes”) that determine when cookies are sent and how they behave:

Secure: cookie only sent over HTTPS (important for security)
HttpOnly: prevents JavaScript from reading the cookie (reduces damage from some attacks)
SameSite (Lax/Strict/None): controls cross-site sending of cookies (helps reduce CSRF)
Expiry / Max-Age: how long a cookie persists
Path / Domain scoping: limits where the cookie is sent

If your site handles logins, these attributes are not optional “nice-to-haves”-they’re core security hygiene.

Are cookies dangerous? The real risks (and what’s overhyped)

Cookies are not malware, but they can contribute to privacy and security problems depending on how they’re used.

Security risks (the ones IT teams care about)

1) Session hijacking
If an attacker steals a valid session cookie (often via malware, unsafe Wi-Fi, or a compromised device), they may be able to impersonate the user.

How to reduce the risk

2) Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) exposure
XSS vulnerabilities can let attackers run scripts in a user’s browser. If cookies aren’t HttpOnly, scripts may be able to read them and exfiltrate session tokens.

3) Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF)
CSRF is when a user’s browser is tricked into making a request to a site where they’re already authenticated. SameSite settings and CSRF tokens are key defences.

4) “Cookie stuffing” and shady affiliate tactics
Some malicious scripts can drop affiliate cookies to claim commissions unfairly. This is less about end-user security and more about marketing integrity and fraud prevention.

Privacy concerns (the ones users feel)

Cross-site tracking is the big one-especially third-party cookies used for advertising and profiling. Many users don’t love being “followed” around the internet, even if it’s “just ads.”

What’s happening with third-party cookies in 2026?

For years, Google signalled it would phase out third-party cookies in Chrome. That timeline changed multiple times-and then Google reversed course.

In July 2024, Google announced an updated approach: instead of deprecating third-party cookies, Chrome would “elevate user choice” about cookie settings.
By April 2025, Google indicated it would maintain its current approach and would not roll out a new standalone prompt for third-party cookies. This is reflected in the CMA-facing progress reporting and coverage of the decision.

Meanwhile, other browsers have been more aggressive:

Bottom line for businesses: even if Chrome hasn’t fully removed third-party cookies across the board, the industry trend is still toward less cross-site tracking, more restrictions, and stronger user controls. Planning for a “privacy-first” measurement and marketing stack remains the sensible direction.

What replaces cookies for tracking? (And why that matters)

Even as cookies become more controlled, tracking doesn’t magically disappear-some organisations shift to techniques like:

First-party analytics and server-side measurement
Logged-in experiences (first-party identity)
UTM parameters and clean attribution modelling
Device/browser fingerprinting (controversial and increasingly restricted)
Contextual advertising (ads based on the page, not the person)

If you’re auditing a site, don’t assume “no cookies = no tracking.” Cookies are only one piece of the data collection puzzle.

Cookies and privacy law: what Australian businesses should know

In Australia, whether you need consent depends on what you collect, how you use it, and whether it becomes personal information. The OAIC’s guidance on consent under the Privacy Act highlights that consent is required in certain situations and should be voluntary, informed, current, and specific. In practice, many Australian organisations align with global expectations (GDPR-style cookie notices) because:

they serve visitors from multiple regions,
ad/analytics tools often involve third parties,
regulators and consumer expectations are moving toward transparency.
Device/browser fingerprinting (controversial and increasingly restricted)
Contextual advertising (ads based on the page, not the person)

If your site targets EU/UK users, GDPR/ePrivacy-style cookie consent requirements may apply (and are generally stricter than what many Australian-only businesses assume).

Practical takeaway: treat cookie and tracking transparency as part of your trust posture-not a box-ticking exercise.

How to manage cookies (user checklist)

If you’re a user and want more control:

Clear cookies for specific sites you don’t trust (instead of wiping everything constantly).
Block third-party cookies in your browser privacy settings (many browsers do this by default or make it easy).
Use private browsing for one-off research (helpful, but not a magic invisibility cloak).
Install reputable tracker blockers if you want stronger protections (especially against scripts, not just cookies).
Be cautious with public Wi-Fi for logins and payments; use HTTPS-only mode and consider a VPN.

How to handle cookies properly (business checklist)

If you run a business website-especially eCommerce or lead-gen-this is where quick wins live:

1) Classify your cookies (and trim the fat)

Do you really need 6 different trackers? Many sites accumulate “tracking debt.”

2) Use secure cookie settings for authentication

For logins and admin areas:

3) Improve transparency

Make it easy for users to understand:

4) Update your measurement strategy

As cross-site tracking becomes less reliable, invest in:

Need help with removing cookies from your device? Contact us or email us at helpdesk@computingaustralia.group for 24/7 support.

Jargon Buster

Search results – or Search Engines Results Pages (SERPs) are web pages returned in response to a user query in a search engine.

Click ads – are ads where the advertisers pay a fee to the search engine every time a user clicks on the ad.

UX – User Experience is a broad term that includes all the aspects of how a user experiences a product, service or application.

Browsing session – It is a period of continuous activity of a user on a website within a time frame, usually 30 minutes (as per Google).

Vaikhari A

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