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What the heck are cookies and what do they do?*

*We’re talking about cookies on your browser, not the edible kind unfortunately.

EVERY WEBSITE YOU visit will mention the same thing upon arriving. It will tell you it’s using cookies, you click ok to get rid of the banner ad that popped up and you go on your merry way.

For the most part, they don’t impact you in any significant way, but it’s worth explaining what exactly they are and how far they can reach.

So what are cookies?

Cookies are a site’s way of tracking your movements while visiting and remembering specific details about it. They come in the form of small text files, with ID tags stored in your browser’s directory for future reference.

One site can have multiple cookies, many from sites you haven’t or will not visit like ad sites, that will be saved on your browser for future reference.

The type of cookie saved is either temporary or permanent. The temporary cookies only remain while you’re still on the site. When you leave, they disappear. Permanent cookies stay saved onto your browser for the next time you log in.

So how much information do they save?

Not a whole lot. As mentioned, cookies are small text files that save three main details: the name of the server it was sent from, how long it lasts and a randomly generated unique number.

Cookies don’t save private or personal information nor can they go through your PC for additional information. They have only one function and that’s only related to the site you’re currently visiting.

Google cookie permissions Some of the cookies used on sites like google.com come from other sources.

What can they be used for?

They allow two things. The first is convenience. By saving data from your last visit, it will load up faster and remember details so it loads up faster. If a site has any customisable features designed for use like sign in, it can save that for you so the next time you visit, you don’t need to go through the same process.

The second and unsurprising part of cookies is they determine the type of ads you see. Have you ever viewed an item on Amazon before visiting another site and seeing it or a similar item being advertised? That’s because of cookies telling those sites where you’ve been and adjusting its ads so they’re more appealing to you.

Some cookies can track your browsing history which leads to this, and for that reason alone, some may feel that is a little invasive, but there are ways to remove them if you feel that way.

How so?

For one, you can delete cookies entirely by going into your browser’s history. This is usually found in settings but all of them allow you to wipe clean cookies and other cached data.

You can also view and block individual cookies by clicking the icon to the left of the site’s URL – normally a lock, globe or page icon – or by going into the browser’s settings.

Chrome browser settings How cookies are found in Google Chrome.

You could go a step further and download a plugin like Cookie Inspector for Chrome, a plugin that allows you to delve deep and edit cookie properties.

If you do block cookies, it could mean that you will lose some functionality for certain sites, or that you will have to enter in details or change settings every time you visit.

Read: What Web Summit? Two new events for Irish startups to sink their teeth into >

Read: Zuckerberg has distanced himself from ‘deeply upsetting’ comments about India >

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4 Comments
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    Mute Paul Shepherd
    Favourite Paul Shepherd
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    Dec 5th 2022, 7:34 PM

    Persecution complex. No interest in the royal family but they’re well rid of him.

    691
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    Mute Paul Gorry
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    Dec 5th 2022, 11:06 PM

    @Paul Shepherd: Diana would be proud of him.

    114
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    Mute sean o'dhubhghaill
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    Dec 5th 2022, 8:25 PM

    He has totally lost the plot.

    522
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    Mute Gerry k
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    Dec 5th 2022, 9:47 PM

    Their going a odd way of staying out of the limelight

    463
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    Mute Megan Finnegan Ward
    Favourite Megan Finnegan Ward
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    Dec 5th 2022, 9:54 PM

    @Gerry k: They never said they want out of the limelight completely. There’s a difference between living in a fishbowl and being hounded by the UK gutter press with your every breath scrutinised and having your own output into the world. Being in that RF would mess anyone up, they’re right to get out. Can’t behave and interact like normal human beings

    144
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    Mute Pauline Gallagher
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    Dec 6th 2022, 2:04 PM

    @Megan Finnegan Ward: Their own input is a reality show on the soon to be doomed Netflix. Thats some contribution.

    22
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    Mute Megan Finnegan Ward
    Favourite Megan Finnegan Ward
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    Dec 7th 2022, 12:24 AM

    @Pauline Gallagher: Whether it’s great or a load of shite is irrelevant to the point that there is a difference between being hounded by the press and having the Daily Mail post crap about you every day and having a voice where you actually get to give your own opinions. Don’t have to like either of them to understand the difference and that they never said they wanted to go live in a cave and never be seen or heard again. Mind, anyone who gets away from that family is doing something right imo, poisonous

    1
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    Mute Robert Preston
    Favourite Robert Preston
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    Dec 5th 2022, 8:18 PM

    “dirty game ” How many people would put up with that for $100 million Netflix paycheck . How can they stretch an 8 part out of constant moaning and whining . No more please

    536
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    Mute Dipa Young
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    Dec 5th 2022, 7:13 PM

    Zunts

    316
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    Mute 2thFairy
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    Dec 5th 2022, 9:09 PM

    I believe they were right to get out. I can only imagine the awful family feuds and nasty manipulation that goes on. There’s too much money and a very high profile institution to protect. Harry is his own man unlike his father, brother and uncles. Good luck to him.

    207
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    Mute Margaret Henry
    Favourite Margaret Henry
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    Dec 6th 2022, 9:06 AM

    @2thFairy: he’s not a man, he’s a wimp. He is on the royal paycheck still, he has never had a proper job, just spends his days thinking up ways of attacking his family. He is the eternal victim and actually believes his own hype, even though its completely out of proportion now. He doesn’t seem to understand how privileged he is. He lost his mother,but some kids have lost both parents even younger, are homeless, have no education, no happy childhood. They have both made this into something it is not. They have each other, 2 beautiful kids, mansions to live in, more money than they will ever need but they’re still seeking out the limelight with this battle. NOBODY CARES ANYMORE.
    I never even knew Megan was mixed race until they mentioned it all the time, I just thought she was a beautiful woman. I don’t know. They deserve each other.

    126
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    Mute Joe Lynch
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    Dec 5th 2022, 7:31 PM

    I’d rather watch paint dry. I can’t understand the facination about the royal family. Completely and utter stupidly.

    440
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    Mute Conor King
    Favourite Conor King
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    Dec 5th 2022, 7:38 PM

    @Joe Lynch: You don’t have to watch it.
    You still somehow felt compelled to read this article and comment on it. But yeah sure, you certainly won’t watch the documentary that threatens to embarrass the Royal Family that you’d love to see embarrassed.

    220
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    Mute Paul Gorry
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    Dec 5th 2022, 8:20 PM

    @Conor King: Prince Andrew has already embarrassed the royal family,way more than a Netflix documentary ever will Conor. Iam with joe on this one.

    208
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    Mute UK Hurling Bloke
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    Dec 5th 2022, 11:28 PM

    @Conor King: oh boo hoo.
    People are entitled to express opinions mate – including ones that are different to yours and about things they don’t like.

    Life isn’t all marshmallows, unicorns and rainbows.

    48
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    Mute Megan Finnegan Ward
    Favourite Megan Finnegan Ward
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    Dec 6th 2022, 12:00 AM

    @UK Hurling Bloke: You know someone pointing out that it’s funny when people go out of their way to read and comment on articles about things they declare they have no interest on (because we’d all be exhausted if we did that on everything we saw and have no interest on) isn’t ‘not liking other opinions’ and wanting life to be all happy clappy yeah?

    22
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    Mute Michael J Foley
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    Dec 6th 2022, 1:02 PM

    @Conor King: Conor I am with Joe. I do not have to watch it and I will not watch it. That institution is a disgrace and so is the British establishment. All parties deserve each other

    6
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    Mute Conor King
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    Dec 6th 2022, 7:19 PM

    @Michael J Foley: Cool story Michael. I can tell you have no interest in the Royal Family because you clicked on this article and read it right down to the comment section.

    1
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    Mute Anna Carr
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    Dec 5th 2022, 10:27 PM

    I’m so sick of hearing about those two. It’s like they’re the only thing on the planet to talk about. I can’t imagine why anyone even cares at this stage

    251
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    Mute OConnelj
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    Dec 6th 2022, 2:53 AM

    Himself and the missus could have just gone to ground and live the quiet life. They are probably more of a pap magnet now then ever.

    105
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    Mute Toon Army
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    Dec 5th 2022, 10:08 PM

    Reading a description of a one minute visual trailer is a fascinating experience. I’m so glad I did it.

    67
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    Mute Observer
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    Dec 6th 2022, 6:09 AM

    Who really give a s—- about them. There are wars, people homeless, people losing jobs. Spoilt overpaid publicity seeking unimportant insignificant people.

    113
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    Mute Joan Grennan
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    Dec 6th 2022, 9:07 AM

    As.someone said ‘ there’s 3 truths to every story ,your truth ,my truth and the real truth ‘. But the situation where you have an heir and a.spare is the root of Harry’s intense misery I believe .He follows on from his grand aunt Margaret who seems to have been equally embittered by her 2nd.fiddle position in the family . Why they can’t create a proper role for the 2nd in line I just don’t know .

    40
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    Mute Barry Wilson
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    Dec 6th 2022, 10:39 AM

    Will the family take him back when she divorces him in a year or so ????

    25
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    Mute Damien Gormley
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    Dec 6th 2022, 2:48 AM

    There’ll be some craic above in heaven watching that

    24
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    Mute TonyB
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    Dec 6th 2022, 11:35 AM

    Everything I know about this couple, I learned against my will.

    20
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    Mute Nora McElhinney
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    Dec 6th 2022, 6:51 AM

    Tell someone who gives a sh!t!!!!!

    45
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    Mute Crypto Sleuth
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    Dec 6th 2022, 9:22 AM

    The ‘dirty game’ must be the nickname he uses for the wife…

    19
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    Mute Mike Magan
    Favourite Mike Magan
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    Dec 6th 2022, 10:41 AM

    Easy to see who reads UK gutter press here.

    7
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