Web cookies (also called HTTP cookies, browser cookies, or simply cookies) are small pieces of data that websites store on your device (computer, phone, etc.) through your web browser. They are used to remember information about you and your interactions with the site.
Purpose of Cookies:
Session Management:
Keeping you logged in
Remembering items in a shopping cart
Saving language or theme preferences
Personalization:
Tailoring content or ads based on your previous activity
Tracking & Analytics:
Monitoring browsing behavior for analytics or marketing purposes
Types of Cookies:
Session Cookies:
Temporary; deleted when you close your browser
Used for things like keeping you logged in during a single session
Persistent Cookies:
Stored on your device until they expire or are manually deleted
Used for remembering login credentials, settings, etc.
First-Party Cookies:
Set by the website you're visiting directly
Third-Party Cookies:
Set by other domains (usually advertisers) embedded in the website
Commonly used for tracking across multiple sites
Authentication cookies are a special type of web cookie used to identify and verify a user after they log in to a website or web application.
What They Do:
Once you log in to a site, the server creates an authentication cookie and sends it to your browser. This cookie:
Proves to the website that you're logged in
Prevents you from having to log in again on every page you visit
Can persist across sessions if you select "Remember me"
What's Inside an Authentication Cookie?
Typically, it contains:
A unique session ID (not your actual password)
Optional metadata (e.g., expiration time, security flags)
Analytics cookies are cookies used to collect data about how visitors interact with a website. Their primary purpose is to help website owners understand and improve user experience by analyzing things like:
How users navigate the site
Which pages are most/least visited
How long users stay on each page
What device, browser, or location the user is from
What They Track:
Some examples of data analytics cookies may collect:
Page views and time spent on pages
Click paths (how users move from page to page)
Bounce rate (users who leave without interacting)
User demographics (location, language, device)
Referring websites (how users arrived at the site)
Here’s how you can disable cookies in common browsers:
1. Google Chrome
Open Chrome and click the three vertical dots in the top-right corner.
Go to Settings > Privacy and security > Cookies and other site data.
Choose your preferred option:
Block all cookies (not recommended, can break most websites).
Block third-party cookies (can block ads and tracking cookies).
2. Mozilla Firefox
Open Firefox and click the three horizontal lines in the top-right corner.
Go to Settings > Privacy & Security.
Under the Enhanced Tracking Protection section, choose Strict to block most cookies or Custom to manually choose which cookies to block.
3. Safari
Open Safari and click Safari in the top-left corner of the screen.
Go to Preferences > Privacy.
Check Block all cookies to stop all cookies, or select options to block third-party cookies.
4. Microsoft Edge
Open Edge and click the three horizontal dots in the top-right corner.
Go to Settings > Privacy, search, and services > Cookies and site permissions.
Select your cookie settings from there, including blocking all cookies or blocking third-party cookies.
5. On Mobile (iOS/Android)
For Safari on iOS: Go to Settings > Safari > Privacy & Security > Block All Cookies.
For Chrome on Android: Open the app, tap the three dots, go to Settings > Privacy and security > Cookies.
Be Aware:
Disabling cookies can make your online experience more difficult. Some websites may not load properly, or you may be logged out frequently. Also, certain features may not work as expected.
Rachel is 7th-semester senior mathematics student from Bozrah, Connecticut.
What semester is this for you?
7th
When are you graduating?
Fall 2018
What’s your major?
Pure mathematics
What’s your minor?
Statistics
Where are you from?
Bozrah, CT
What on-campus activities/organizations are you involved in?
UConn figure skating club, tutor at the Q center
Any fun facts?
I toured Europe from 2008-2014 as a professional ice skater.
Why do you want to be featured as a UConn Senior Spotlight?
It was a difficult decision to return to school in 2014 since I had already made a living as a figure skater, however studying as an adult has made me take my education very seriously and appreciate every class that I’ve taken. I have been able to maintain a 4.0 GPA and it would be great to be recognized for my success.
Any plans after graduation?
I would like to get my Master’s degree.
What is your advice to incoming freshmen?
Get involved in something outside of your classes that you truly enjoy. Classes get difficult and having that one thing you love to do to take your mind away, even for an hour, is so important. This is why I joined the figure skating team.
Also, get to know your professors. If there’s one professor that you found super helpful or liked the way they taught, then don’t stop reaching out to that professor after you’re done with his/her class. I’ve made great connections with some of my professors and continue to ask them for help long after I’ve taken their classes. They have invaluable knowledge that you should really take advantage of.
Where is your favorite spot on campus to study or hangout?
I proudly admit that my favorite spot to study is the top floor of the math building (Monteith). It’s nice and quiet up there. I also love sitting outside by the lake during the spring/summer. Its a good place for a 15-minute nap…
If you were an undergraduate for one more semester, what would you do with the time?
Study and skate! Actually, I’d probably try to get more involved with research as well as try to take advantage of what the UCONN campus has to offer. I’ve lived off campus for my entire time as a student here at UCONN and I feel that I’ve missed out on some aspects of campus life.
