If you’ve ever wondered, what different types of cookies there are or just looking to find out what is cross website tracking, you have come to the right place. Today we are going to dive deep into the meaning of tracking cookies and explain how they work.

Since nowadays people are becoming more and more concerned about their safety online, cookies are a hot topic. Websites are notoriously seeking to track user information and it is important to know what are cross site cookies and how to get rid of tracking cookies or manage them effortlessly by using CookieScript.

What are Tracking Cookies?

Tracking cookies are text files dropped on browsers that collect data about the user. Collected data includes the user’s browsing activity, IP address, location, and actions on that particular website.

You will find such data gathering practice in more or less every website around the internet – usually, you will see a banner pop out and it will ask for your consent to collect your data. It’s your choice whether you want to accept or reject it. 

If you decide to allow tracking cookies, the website you’re visiting will gather the information mentioned above and later on, will use it to optimize advertisements or relevant information based on your preferences.

While there are many different types of cookies around the internet, their purpose is more or less the same – to track user data. Such cookies generally are called first-party cookies and, if a website wants to stay GDPR compliant, it only turns tracking on once the user gives its consent.

If you want to have this solution for your website too, choose CookieScript – a consent management platform that will take care of cookies on your website and will make sure you comply with the latest privacy laws around the world.

At CookieScript, you can choose from three different pricing options, based on your needs. Features that you will find in all plans include blocking first and Third-Party Cookies and creating a user-friendly banner. Register with CookieScript by clicking the button below.

What Tracking Cookies Do?

However, if you’re eager for more information on website tracking and adware tracking cookie, let’s continue with the article. As you now know, almost every website in the world drops cookies on your browser. Some are even vital for the website itself as it may not function properly without cookies.

But speaking about the tracking technology itself, tracking cookies act as a memory box. After your first visit to a particular address, the website stores your preferences and keeps them until your next visit to show personalized material to you. Of course, if you give user consent.

Of course, such actions will not occur if the user doesn’t give consent for the website to track personal information. With CookieScript, it’s easy to provide such an opportunity for your users with its unique Cookie Banner, that can be easily customized based on your needs. Here is an example of one:

CookieScript Cookie Banner example

What is Cross Site Tracking?

Cross website tracking is a similar process to tracking cookies. However, the trick is in the name – ‘cross site’ means that the process of tracking doesn’t involve just a single website, but a number of them.

Here is where third-party cookies come into play. While first-party cookies are stored on a single website, Third-Party Cookies come together with external parties that may place their adverts or other material on the website you’re visiting. 

Cross website tracking is a process when the user’s actions on the internet are tracked from website to website and social media platforms usually are involved in it. For example, if a website puts a Facebook widget onto one of its pages, it allows the company to track user actions on that particular website.

If you’ve ever looked for an answer to “does Google track you”, we can tell you that Google Analytics perform cross website tracking too. Since the majority of the websites around the world use this tool from Google, it can track user actions and later on personalize your Google experience.

While there are different types of cookies, they are all released to perform the same thing – browser tracking. 

Are Tracking Cookies Bad?

Yes and No. Tracking cookies collect your data to show your personalized ads and to modify user experience based on its needs so in many ways it can be helpful. Let’s say if you’re looking for a particular product to buy online, you can get personalized ads that may help you to find it.

However, such ads can become annoying over time, and you may want to get rid of them. One way to do it is to opt out of cookies when you visit a website for the first time and a cookie banner pops up.

Big corporations such as Facebook or Amazon might collect your information even without your consent – that could happen through different widgets they put into certain websites – and this is the downside of tracking cookies.

Websites collecting a load of personal information is not what most users want to see. Most people wouldn’t want to share their location, device information, or search queries with everyone online and that’s why tracking cookies are seen by a vast majority of people as a bad thing.

How to Remove Tracking Cookies?

However, there is a way to remove tracking cookies and it consists of two parts blocking first and Third-Party Cookies.

First-party cookies can be easily blocked if your website has a Cookie Banner from CookieScript. Its Cookie Banner gives options to the user to either opt-in or opt-out of cookies and it’s really easy to set it up for your website.

Meanwhile, third-party cookies can be blocked with the help of your favorite browser. Almost every browser out there provides an option to turn them off and here’s how you can do it using Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox.

Google Chrome

In Google Chrome, you need to click on the three dots in the top right corner of your browser, then select Settings – Privacy and security – Cookies and other site data. There you will see a menu open up and here’s what you need to select to opt-out of tracking:

Google Chrome settings

To block Third-Party Cookies with Chrome while you’re in incognito mode, choose ‘Block third-party cookies in incognito’ and enable the ‘Send a "Do Not Track" request with your browsing traffic’ option just below.

Mozilla Firefox

With Mozilla Firefox, the browser blocks third-party cookies itself, but if you want to enable different settings based on your needs, you can click the menu bar on the top right corner of the Firefox browser, and then select Settings – Privacy and security.

Mozilla Firefox settings

Here you can choose from three Enhanced Tracking Protection modes and enable sending websites a ‘Do Not Track’ signal.

Your Best Cookie Consent Solution With CookieScript

Since you’ve found out about tracking cookies and how to make sure your users have an option to opt-out of them, you can select a consent management platform to work with and CookieScript is one of the best in the market.

CookieScript will take care of cookies on your website and bring the latest cookie update so your website can stay compliant with all the relevant privacy laws around the world.

Also, CookieScript will update your website’s cookie declaration automatically every month and this is why it stands above its competitors – once you get it, you will never have to worry about tracking technology again. Click the button below and register to try CookieScript products.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are tracking cookies?

Tracking cookies are text files dropped on browsers that collect data about the user. The collected data includes the user’s browsing activity, IP address, location, and other actions on that particular website. If the user decides to opt out of cookies, no data will be collected. Find out how you can opt-out using CookieScript’s Cookie Banner.

How to remove tracking cookies?

If you’re wondering how to get rid of tracking cookies, with CookieScript it’s easy. First-party cookies can be easily blocked if your website has a Cookie Banner from CookieScript. Its Cookie Banner gives options to the user to either opt-in or opt-out of them and it’s really easy to set it up for your website.

What do cookies track?

If given consent, cookies track the user’s personal information, including its IP address, location, browsing activity, and purchase history. If you want to make sure your visitors can opt-out of cookies, find out how you can do it using CookieScript’s unique Cookie Banner that is easy to set up for your website.

How are cookies used by websites to track you?

Websites drop tracking cookies on your browser to track you. They are small text files that collect users’ personal information which later can be used to create personalized ads based on the users’ preferences. However, third-party cookies can come through a social media plugin and collect information in a different way. Find out more on CookieScript here.

How to use cookies to track visitors?

You can track your website’s visitors using a Cookie Banner from CookieScript. It gives your users an option to give tracking consent to your website and that is how you can collect their data and stay compliant with the latest privacy laws. You can easily customize CookieScript Cookie Banner based on your needs. Find out more here.

Do cookies track IP addresses?

If given consent, cookies do track IP addresses, as well as other personal information about your website’s visitors. To stay compliant with GDPR and other privacy laws, you must give your users an option to opt-out of tracking. Find out how to do it with CookieScript here.