What are Third-Party Cookies?
Third-party cookies originate from websites other than the one the user is browsing. They are created when elements from other sites, such as ads or images, are integrated into the visited page. If a server hosting these elements sets a cookie, it is stored in the user’s browser. This is primarily done to collect data that provides information about the user’s preferences.
Difference between First-Party and Third-Party Cookies.
Understanding what Third-party cookies are, we can achieve a clearer comparison with First-party cookies. The main difference between these lies in the fact that First-party cookies are generated from a website the user visits, either through its domain or a JavaScript code, and they belong to a site the user has visited. On the other hand, Third-party cookies belong to an external website, a third party, which is not the one the user is currently visiting. This means they will be accessible on any website the user visits, and not just on the domain where they were created.
You can read more about different types of cookies on our article “All you need to know about cookies”
Are Third-Party Cookies Dangerous?
While we understand that their use is crucial for Marketing specialists, third-party cookies came under scrutiny due to their ability to gather personal data and user preferences, raising concerns about privacy protection. Furthermore, even though this is not their intended purpose, they can be exploited for malicious intent, such as distributing malware or stealing user information.
In conclusion, cookies themselves are not inherently bad; their level of risk is tied to the purpose for which they were created and the extent of control and transparency applied to them.
How to block Third-Party Cookies?
To control cookies on your website, the easiest approach is to have a CMP (Consent Management Platform) which, through simple steps, will handle user consent regarding cookies and alleviate many related concerns. In fact, with Illow, you can scan your site, identify included cookies, and even configure specific behaviors for certain cookies. Try our platform for free and keep your site protected from third-party cookies!
