Website Cookies Explained: Sessions, Preferences and Tracking

The six points in the video

This is a silent video. The headings, explanations and labels below reproduce the information on screen.

1. 1

   Step 1: Cookies help remember state

   0:18

   Web requests need a way to carry information between visits.

   On-screen labels: Small data value; Browser storage; Later requests.

2. 2

   Step 2: A session can use an identifier

   0:30

   The server can recognise an existing signed-in session.

   On-screen labels: Session identifier; Server-side checks; Sign-in state.

3. 3

   Step 3: Preferences can be remembered

   0:42

   A service might save a language or display choice.

   On-screen labels: Language choice; Display preference; Return visit.

4. 4

   Step 4: Some cookies support tracking

   0:54

   A cookie can help connect activity across requests.

   On-screen labels: Activity measurement; Identifier use; Privacy implications.

5. 5

   Step 5: Cookie settings change behaviour

   1:06

   Lifetime, scope and security settings affect their behaviour.

   On-screen labels: Expiry settings; Site scope; Security attributes.

6. 6

   Step 6: Review the actual purpose

   1:18

   A cookie list should explain what each service is using.

   On-screen labels: Cookie inventory; Purpose of each one; Review with your provider.

Common questions

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