Things to know about browser Cookies for online privacy

How do cookies work?
While working for the Netscape Lou Montulli invented the cookies in 1994 in order to monetize the website and make it a remunerative business. In the initial phase of its use, it was not widely known to the public, as it was used surreptitiously, and as a result it dtd not attract any adverse attention of the users. The website would not inform the user about the use of cookies and the user’s acceptance of cookies use was by default. Its grey was small and tentacles were few and short during the nascent phase. Aversion to cookies gradually rose only after the Financial Times (USA) published an article about cookies in 1996. Now there are elaborate laws for data protection to protect the net users from imperceptible presence of the cookies behind the screen. Now wwebsites have their cookies policy.

The website asks the user if the accept the cookies or not. If the user clicks, AGREE/ACCEPT ALL/YES, the browser will create the cookies. If you do not accept, you can visit the website in most of the cases but the website may not function as intended. The cookies will start tracking your net usage and store the data only you accept the cookies. The cookies would be stored on your PC (locally) or would be transmitted to the host server. When you visit the same website again, cookies will come into play. The cookies saved locally on the device or transferred from the server, will help you to fill up the form, login data, preference of language, etc and will also continue further to garner and accumulate more and more your tracking data while you are surfing the net. The “enriched” cookies will be stored locally on the device or on the host server, waiting to jump into your browser as and when you access the website next time. Quite smart and stealthy creature!

Types of cookies (Without classifying the cookies in a particular class):

[1] Necessary / Required Cookies
These are the basic cookies and without them the functioning of the website will be sub-optimal as they enable the basic functions of the website. This type of cookies cannot be disabled.
[2] Statistical / Analytics Cookies
These cookies are used for collecting data regarding the interaction of the user with the website and reporting the same anonymously. This helps to measure the activity of the users and improve the functionality of the website.
[3] Marketing Cookies
Primary purpose of these cookies is for marketing of products and services and depict relevant ad. They collect data on user behavior and interest and prepare User Profile and show ad/ link / banner as per the profile. Apart from marketing intelligence, various demographic, social and political profitable inferences can also be drawn.
[4] First-Party Cookies
Some cookies may pack more of a threat than others depending on where they come from. First-party cookies are used by the website user is using. These are less risky if the website is reputed one and have not been compromised.
[5] Third-Party Cookies
Irrespective of clicking by the user, the ad / link / banner on the website generate the cookies which are called Third-party cookies. They are more shrewd and risky. If there are, say 5 cookies on the website, 5 cookies will be generated even if the user does not click any of them. They help the advertisers or Analysts track netizens, browsing data across the web on any sites that display their ads.
[6] Zombie cookies
These cookies are bit pervert and would get generated without users’ Acceptance. They are Third-party and stay permanently on users' computers. Like a phoenix bird, they would get regenerated even after deleting. They are also known as “flash cookies” and are extremely difficult to remove. These cookies can be deployed to prevent the certain users.
[7] Session cookies
These cookies are “ephemeral” in terms longevity and according they are also called 'temporary cookies'. They store the user’s data for a particular session of use of the website and on closure of the browser, they are deleted. They are used for shopping from online stores.
[8] Permanent cookies
They will be stored on the device even after the web site is has closed. They store login ID and passwords so that web users don't need to re-enter them on next visit of the website. They are required to be deleted after certain months as prescribed in the data protection laws of the respective country.
[9] Tracking Cookies

If you are an avid net user, you must have registered / subscribed for a particular interest with a particular organisation/website. While you are doing this, Tracking Cookies are generated. Next day you would find lots of unsolicited promotional marketing material in your email account from many organisations from nook and corner of the world. The data generated by Tracking Cookies are shared by other unintended organisations/websites also, for pre-arranged mutual gains or otherwise.

How to block cookies:
The cookies serve useful purposes but your personal data are vulnerable to misuse. So you might have some aversion to them. If that is the case, when you visit the website, you can decline the acceptance to all the cookies (Except Necessary) but the performance of the website will be sub-optimal. Or you can Accept only particular type of cookies. This type of functionality is available in all the popular browsers in Settings.

Removing / Deleting the Cookies:
Cookies can be removed but bear in mind that your interface with the website will not be so smooth in their absence. Though, it is very difficult to remain anonymous / incognito while using the web, it is advisable to delete the Cookies to protect your privacy. This functionality is available in the browsers (generally under History > Clear Browsing Data).

Data security while on net:
It is pertinent to add here that use of public Wi-Fi is more susceptible to eavesdropping / hacking of personal data while use of VPN provides more cyber security to personal data. Likewise, TLS / HTTPS also provides more cyber security as the data is transmitted in encrypted format.

What are Cookies?
Putting the complex digital concept in simple words: Cookies are a small text file created by the browser to keep track of user’s language preference, login information, surfing behavior, usage of apps, shopping behavior, clicks on links/ads/banners, IP addresses, geographical location, currency, interests, due date of renewal of payable installed tools/software, etc while the user is surfing a website in order to use these data later, when the user visits the website again, in order to streamline the delivery of curated/tailored content, focused search results, relevant information and marketing ads, better feedback/communication, improved site performance/browsing satisfaction and, in most of the cases to manipulate the user’s data for a small pecuniary gains, for the website, through commission based on Pay Per Click.

Why were cookies invented?
Initially it was invented to keep track of the things an online shopper puts in the virtual shopping cart (say purchases) in a particular session of online shopping. Really a useful tool and true to their name, cookies were initially not despised by the net users. With the advent of IT, cookies were exploited to serve wider purposes.

It can store the data of the websites visited, frequency, duration, time, purpose, preferences, shopping behavior, pattern of navigation from host website to third party advertisements/banners/tags/links, etc. Host website can keep track of clicks on the ads and generate revenue on the basis of Pay Per Click (PPC). The cookies help fill up the forms on net as the cookies, based upon the past usages, knows what data are to be filled up and as soon as you open the form, the data are automatically filled in – auto populated. If the cookies have doubts if there more alternative probable choices, they show the choice which user can fill up just by clicking from the drop down list.

Cookies can also help decide the host server what pages to send in case of searching on net. It is like a family doctor who knows more about your health than you do and would diagnose the disease better with least questions asked. Now the flip side: as is the case with many of modern inventions, unscrupulous people have exploited the cookies into harming tools for undue gains. In beginning period of use of the cookies, they were gradually sneaked into the website, without an informed consent of the user and put to malicious use: as a stalking tool to track the online behavior of the netizens. They generate and store data regarding the net user’s online behavior and many sensitive information. The unscrupulous people / organization sells these data for money and put the data security of the unsuspecting net users at risk. Data is very important input for devising marketing strategy, political campaign, business rivalry, product innovation, Public Policy, etc. Depending upon the level of the negligence of the net users, design of the website and architecture of the host server, the data can be also misused to a wider extent.

The cookies are a micro cyber version of famous fictional detective Mr Sherlock Holmes. Though this cannot be generalized in the cases all websites using cookies, risk remains there as the hunger for users personal data is increasing day by day, coupled with sophisticated methods of hacking and network eavesdropping. As the science of Data Analytics is becoming stronger, so the need for data. Better to be aware and beware.

Conclusion:
There are strict laws for data protection in all the countries but still misuse of personal data collected through the cookies is rampant.
The cookies are necessary evil. Be on own guard.
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(The comments of the readers are welcome at gnpatel@gujaratinfotech.com)

How can Computer Networking benefit your Business?

Now, practically no computer is used as a standalone machine – each computer is connected with some sort of a networking – intranet, internet, LAN, CAN, MAN, WAN, Wi-Fi, VPN, etc. In fact, computer without a networking has verylimited use.  The modern world generates stupendous quantity of information, generally called data in IT parlance. The businesses exploit the data, internal as well as external, for communication, marketing, administration, delivering services, taking commercial decisions, etc.

THE BENEFITS OF COMPUTER NETWORKING TO BUSINESSES:

Lower Cost of setting up a computer network:

Cost of networking is comparatively very small compared to other costs involved in a business. While considering the cost, the most beautiful aspect is its equal affordability from a family owned small unit to a Fortune 500 corporation.

Sharing the resources to reduce the cost:

Xerox Machines, Printers, Scanners, CD and DVD burners, Projectors, Cameras, Internet  Connection, Site (software ) licenses, Servers, Programmes, Data Storage Space, Files, etc can be shared by the employees leading to savings in terms of capital cost, recurring cost and space. Sharing of Internet connection, protected by a common firewall, with password-based log-in by the employees prevents the abuse of internet by the staff. 

Fast Communication:

All the stake holders can communicate very quickly or even on real time basis across the gadgets – computer, mobile, iPad, tablets, etc by voice or email. Fast communication is crucial between the employees and also with the customers, particularly when the businesses in Service Industry are dealing with customers.

Feasibility of wide variety of communications:

In olden days communication was confined to written communication or over telephone. Thanks to networking, now the mode and medium of communications are many e.g. emails, in-house magazines, voice call (VOIP), instant messaging, webinars, video conferencing, chatting, etc. Moreover, many of these communications could be garnished with colourful graphics, emojis, sound tunes, etc to strengthen the message.

Cheaper marketing tool:

Cost of communication is negligible when compared with traditional channels and modes. This aspect is fully exploited for marketing by businesses through Push Notifications and emails.

Remunerative business of e-Commerce/Online shopping:

Computer Networking is playing pivotal role from converting an inquiry till the goods are delivered at customer’s doorstep. For the customer it is a matter of few clicks, but for the online stores there is a cobweb of computer network for procurement, warehousing, shipping, receipt of payment, refund, Customer Care, etc. The success of many new start-ups can be attributed to their strong end-to-end computer networking.

Cyber Watchdog:

Managers and owners are always, and for right reasons, skeptical about what would be going on in their absence from the workplace. The computer networking with security camera helps the businesses to keep an eye on the floor even though they might be away from the workplace. This helps in increasing the productivity, preventing the pilferage, shoplifting, controlling undesirable behavior, etc. The awareness of the staff members that they are under the prying eyes of a CCTV makes lots of difference even though the output of the CCTV at the other end might not be monitored continuously.

Queue Management:

Networking is very useful for businesses which have to handle queues of customers and the issues related to heavy rush of customers. The real time data on queue helps the Manager to provide support to needy staff or open more counters. Such proactive steps delight the customers and the staff members.

Tracking the vehicles and goods:

With the help of GPS and mobile telephony, movement of vehicle can be tracked and monitored on computer network. When the goods are shipped through other agency, the movement of parcels can be tracked till it is delivered to the addressee.

Improving the visibility of your Brand:

Social Media is a popular platform to reach out to thousands of your target audience. Networking of I T infrastructure across the enterprise facilitate to exploit the Social Media. Regular posting of blogs, pod casts, tips, How to’s, listicles, etc helps to improve the brand visibility of your business irrespective of the size of the business.

Avoiding the duplication of work:

As data base is shared on network, the need to keyed in the same data by another staff is avoided. This helps not only saving time and cost but also helps in uniformity of data and reducing the errors in data. This also helps in following Standard Operating Procedure for a given task even though the task is distributed amongst different places and amongst employees with different level of capabilities.

Providing Remote Support/Access:

Remote Support by the specialist can be provided to solve the technical problem with the system or install new software in computers connected with the network. This also helps when the desk of the employee is shifted without shifting his computer or in “Work from Home” scenario.

Centralized Data Backup:

For data protection and retrieval in case of exigency, Centralized Data Backup can be taken as per the scheduled time cycle or as and when required. Access to the data can be also monitored with graduated permission to access the data.

Better Customer Service:

If the data are available on enterprise network, no staff member will be required to collect from the customers the information about the dealing / transaction the customer has had. Networking will also facilitate the co-ordination between various departments or branch offices to resolve the customer complaints.

Better adaptation to new challenges:

Business environment is becoming very dynamic. To adapt the business processes as per the market conditions is a key to survival. Computer networking facilitates the upgradation or change altogether the business processes in consonance with the technology and products.

Conducive Work Environment:

Networking of computers in the business increases the productivity of the employees and lowers the cost of operations. It inculcates the habit of collaboration and team spirit. Employees feel that they are doing the work smartly and enjoy doing it. The amount of job satisfaction derived at the end of day is very high leading to better perception about the company. 

When computer was invented, it was invented as a standalone calculating machine. At that time, even the most futuristic fictional article on computer had never envisioned its capabilities what we are exploiting today. Largest chunk of the credit of these capabilities can be attributed to networking. 

As such, real time transmission of data across the enterprise is very important for the success of the business. The backbone of  real time transmission of data is networking which could be as small and simple as linking two gadgets in a room or as  large and complex as linking the people across the globe involving various technology, medium, devices, platforms, deliverables, speed, security, protocols, etc. The above blog seeks to discuss the benefits of networking to businesses.

The readers can email their comments, if any, to the blogger at gnpatel@gujaratinfotech.com).

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