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.
Julian is an 8th-semester senior music entrepreneurship student from Milford, Connecticut.
What semester is this for you?
8th
When are you graduating?
Spring 2018
What’s your major?
Individualized: Music Entrepreneurship
What’s your minor?
Music & business
Where are you from?
Milford, Connecticut
What on-campus activities/organizations are you involved in?
Founding Father of Phi Delta Theta fraternity, TME mentor, UConn Idea Grant Recipient, perform at open mic nights & talent shows on campus
Any fun facts?
I used University funding from the UConn Idea Grant Program to create and release my debut music project titled, Big Dreams.
Why do you want to be featured as a UConn Senior Spotlight?
I want to be featured in the UConn Senior Spotlight because I want to utilize as many of UConn’s resources as possible, to share my story so that I can inspire individuals in the UConn community to follow their dreams and pursue their passion.
Any plans after graduation?
I am applying to several of UConn’s entrepreneurial programs with hopes to obtain funding, so I can launch a new business venture that would assist musicians in the UConn community with the processes of songwriting, recording, and song distribution. I also plan to pursue a post-graduate degree in music production at a school in Los Angeles, where I would study under a mentor who has worked with the likes of Kendrick Lamar, Frank Ocean, ASAP Rocky, LL Cool J, Wiz Khalifa, and many more artists. I really want to build my network and connections on both the east coast and west coast, so that I can give back to the UConn community later down the road because UConn has provided me with the opportunities and resources to genuinely follow my dreams.
Anything else we should know about the nominee?
My recent involvements on campus include Arts Chairperson for the Student Union Board of Governors, treasurer for the UConn Hip-Hop Cypher Club, a member on the Community Standards Advisory board, as well as branch manager for Young Entrepreneurs Across America.
What is your advice to incoming freshmen?
My advice to incoming freshman would be to reinvent yourself. College is a time where you can become a new version of yourself. So know your strengths, find your passion, and get out of your comfort zone because, in the blink of an eye, you’ll be a senior getting ready to graduate.
Where is your favorite spot on campus to study or hangout?
My favorite spot on campus to study is the third floor of Homer Babbidge Library because of its window views of campus.
If you were an undergraduate for one more semester, what would you do with the time?
If I we’re an undergraduate for one extra semester, I would join the skydiving club because I’ve always wanted to skydive. I would also take full advantage of the many different entrepreneurial programs that UConn offers to help kickstart my own business venture.