What Are Session Cookies?

Session cookies enable the websites you visit to keep track of your movement from page to page so you don't get asked for the same information you've already given to the site. We'll dive into exactly what session cookies are, what they're used for, and how to clear your cookies.

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What is a session cookie?

Cookies allow you to proceed through many pages of a site quickly and easily without having to authenticate or reprocess each new area you visit. 

Session cookies allow users to be recognized within a website so any page changes or item or data selection you do is remembered from page to page. The most common example of this functionality is the shopping cart feature of any e-commerce site.

When you visit one page of a catalog and select some items, the session cookie remembers your selection, so your shopping cart will have the items you selected when you are ready to check out. 

Without session cookies, if you click CHECKOUT, the new page doesn't recognize your past activities on prior pages, and your shopping cart will always be empty.

Why are session cookies used?

A session cookie, like a key, enables swift passage from one place to the next. Without a cookie, every time you open a new web page, the server where that page is stored will treat you like a completely new visitor.

Websites typically use session cookies to ensure that you are recognized when you move from page to page within one site and that any information you have entered is remembered. 

For example, if an e-commerce site did not use session cookies, then items placed in a shopping basket would disappear by the time you reach the checkout.

Do I need to consent to session cookies?

Not really. Session cookies are necessary cookies for the flow of traffic to a site. This is why regulators, like the GDPR, allow websites to bypass gaining consent to use session cookies. However, it's becoming increasingly popular for websites to have a cookie consent banner on startup anyway.

How do I manage cookies?

While cookies are generally helpful, too much of a good thing can slow down your computer. It's important to manage your cookies on a routine basis for maximum productivity. One way to take control of your cybersecurity is by learning how to disable cookies in your web browser. We wrote a full guide on how to manage your cookies with this strategy.

Alternatively, you can block cookies by using an ad blocker with tracker blocking capabilities. Here are our top recommendations: 

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