At EB IT Support LTD, we believe in helping you understand the technology you use every day. In this guide, we’ll explain what cookies are, why websites use them, and how they impact your browsing experience. If you need further assistance or have questions, feel free to contact one of our technicians on 01205 627240 or email us at support@eb-it.uk.

What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small files that websites store on your device (computer, phone, or tablet) when you visit them. These files contain data such as your preferences, login information, or details about your interactions with the site.

Cookies help websites remember you, making your browsing experience smoother and more personalized. For example, cookies allow websites to remember items in your shopping cart or keep you logged into your account even after you close your browser.

Types of Cookies

1. Session Cookies:

   • These are temporary cookies that are erased when you close your browser.
   • They are mainly used to manage your session on a website, such as keeping track of what you’re doing while shopping online.

2. Persistent Cookies:

   • These cookies remain on your device after you close the browser and have a set expiration date.
   • They store things like login information, language preferences, or items in your cart across visits.

3. Third-Party Cookies:

   • These cookies are set by websites other than the one you’re visiting, often by advertisers.
   • They track your activity across different websites to show you targeted ads.

Why Do Websites Use Cookies?

1. Personalization: Cookies help websites remember your preferences, such as your language, layout, or theme choices.

2. Authentication: Cookies store login information, so you don’t have to log in each time you visit the same website.

3. Tracking: Websites use cookies to track user behavior, such as pages you visit or links you click, to improve the site and offer relevant content.

4. Advertising: Advertisers use cookies to show you ads based on your previous browsing habits, making the ads more relevant to you.

Managing Cookies

If you prefer not to have websites store cookies, you can control them through your browser settings. Here’s how you can manage cookies in different browsers:

Google Chrome:

1. Open Settings: Click the three dots in the top-right corner, and choose Settings.
2. Go to Privacy and Security: Scroll down to Privacy and Security and click Cookies and other site data.
3. Choose Your Settings: You can block or allow all cookies, or customize your preferences for different sites.

Safari (Mac):

1. Open Preferences: Click Safari in the menu bar, then choose Preferences.
2. Go to Privacy: Click on the Privacy tab, where you can block or manage cookies.
3. Manage Website Data: Click Manage Website Data to view or remove individual cookies.

Opera GX:

1. Open Settings: Click the Opera logo in the top-left corner, and choose Settings.
2. Go to Privacy & Security: Scroll down to the Privacy & Security section, and click Cookies and site data.
3. Customize Cookie Settings: Block or allow cookies as needed.

Firefox:

1. Open Settings: Click the three horizontal lines in the top-right corner, and choose Settings.
2. Go to Privacy & Security: Click on Privacy & Security in the left-hand menu.
3. Manage Cookies: Under Cookies and Site Data, you can block cookies or clear them from your browser.

Microsoft Edge:

1. Open Settings: Click the three dots in the upper-right corner and choose Settings.
2. Go to Cookies: Under Privacy, search, and services, scroll down to Cookies and site permissions.
3. Manage Cookies: You can choose to block or allow cookies and manage how they are stored.

Internet Explorer:

1. Open Internet Options: Click the gear icon in the top-right corner and choose Internet Options.
2. Go to the Privacy Tab: Under the Privacy tab, you can adjust cookie settings by moving the slider or going into advanced options.
3. Block or Allow Cookies: Customize your preferences and click Apply.

Need Help?

If you’re having trouble managing cookies or understanding how they work, don’t hesitate to reach out to us. You can call us at 01205 627240 or email support@eb-it.uk. We're always here to help!