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.
MPA Students Aims to Work With Migrant Communities
April 18, 2023
Recently we caught up with School of Public Policy (SPP) Master of Public Administration (MPA) student Daniela Alvarez about why she chose a path of career service. Learn more about Daniela below!
While studying Political Science and Latin American studies at the University of Connecticut (UConn), Daniela was exposed to numerous courses that focused on public service. The impact on communities of color helped foster for her commitment to service.
She joined the Fast-Track program in order to get ahead on her master’s, and because the program worked around her undergraduate classes. Daniela adds, “Overall, being a fast-track student let me see the type of classes I would be taking if I chose to pursue the MPA degree, before being in the actual program.” When asked why a MPA at UConn she answered, “Why not?” When selecting an undergraduate program, Daniela chose UConn due to the rigor of coursework and the support of faculty and staff. Her positive undergraduate experience motivated her to continue with the University for her graduate education.
This academic year Daniela serves as a Racial Justice Workgroup intern with the Connecticut Department of Children and Families (DCF). As part of her Internship and Professional Practice (IPP) placement, Daniela works on data analysis with a focus on the disproportionality and disparity rates between the CT Child Population and DCF Child population. Her analysis also requires her to present the analyzed data to stakeholders in the DCF system including social workers, partners and the Commissioner.
Outside of her IPP experience, one of Daniela’s favorite SPP opportunities has been taking PP 5325: Labor-Management Relations, Negotiation & Contract Management with Adjunct Professor Gregg Adler. During this class Daniela participated in a mock arbitration exercise. She explains, “As someone who was not very well-versed in labor management, it was a fun way to get involved and learn about arbitration. Also, we were able to take on different roles within the exercise and Professor Adler let us determine what questions and answer we could give as the mock employees and executives.” Experiential learning is at the heart of SPP’s curriculum and for student’s like Daniela they provide exposure to new opportunities and ideas.
After graduation Daniela hopes to work in the field of racial justice or social work. She explains, “My main goal has always been to one day work with migrant communities and help with their integration into life here and providing them with the resources necessary to thrive in our society.” We wish Daniela and the Class of 2023 all the best and can not wait to see their continued IMPACT!