Manage Consent

To provide the best experiences, we use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. Consenting to these technologies will allow us to process data such as browsing behavior or unique IDs on this site. Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions. What are cookies?
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What Are Cookies? A Simple Guide for Website Users

If you've ever visited a website and noticed it remembering your preferences—like a dark or light theme—you've experienced cookies in action. But what exactly are cookies, and why do websites use them? Let's break it down in simple terms.

What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small pieces of data stored on your device by a website. They help websites remember information about you, making your browsing experience smoother and more personalized. Think of them like a note the website leaves on your browser to recall important details the next time you visit.

There are different types of cookies:

  • Session Cookies: These are temporary and disappear once you close your browser.
  • Persistent Cookies: These remain on your device until they expire or are manually deleted.
  • First-Party Cookies: Set by the website you're visiting.
  • Third-Party Cookies: Set by external services like advertisers or analytics providers.

How Websites Use Cookies

Websites use cookies for various reasons, such as:

  • Keeping you logged in.
  • Remembering your preferences (language, theme, layout, etc.).
  • Tracking site performance and analytics.
  • Enabling personalized ads and content.

Example: Light and Dark Theme with Cookies

To illustrate how cookies work, let's take a simple example: a website with light and dark mode preferences.

On our website, when you switch between light and dark themes, a cookie named s11-site-theme is created. This cookie stores your preference so that the next time you visit, the site loads with the same theme you selected.

Here's how it works:

  1. You visit the website.
  2. You switch from light mode to dark mode.
  3. The website stores s11-site-theme = dark in a cookie.
  4. The next time you visit, the website reads this cookie and applies the dark theme automatically.

GDPR and Cookie Preferences

Cookies also play a crucial role in compliance with privacy laws. Many websites use cookies to store GDPR consent preferences. For example, our website stores GDPR settings in a cookie named s11-site-gdpr. This cookie ensures that once you've given or denied consent for data tracking, the website remembers your choice and doesn't repeatedly ask for your preference.

Managing Cookies

Most modern browsers allow you to manage cookies:

  • View stored cookies: You can check which cookies a website has saved.
  • Delete cookies: You can remove cookies from specific websites or clear all cookies.
  • Block cookies: Some browsers allow blocking all or certain types of cookies.
  • Use incognito/private mode: This prevents cookies from being stored after you close the session.

Final Thoughts

Cookies are an essential part of modern web browsing, improving user experience and functionality. While they make things more convenient, it's always good to be aware of how they work and how you can manage them. Whether it's remembering your preferred theme or handling GDPR settings, cookies help websites serve you better.