Web cookies (also called HTTP cookies, browser cookies, or simply cookies) are small pieces of data that websites store on your device (computer, phone, etc.) through your web browser. They are used to remember information about you and your interactions with the site.
Purpose of Cookies:
Session Management:
Keeping you logged in
Remembering items in a shopping cart
Saving language or theme preferences
Personalization:
Tailoring content or ads based on your previous activity
Tracking & Analytics:
Monitoring browsing behavior for analytics or marketing purposes
Types of Cookies:
Session Cookies:
Temporary; deleted when you close your browser
Used for things like keeping you logged in during a single session
Persistent Cookies:
Stored on your device until they expire or are manually deleted
Used for remembering login credentials, settings, etc.
First-Party Cookies:
Set by the website you're visiting directly
Third-Party Cookies:
Set by other domains (usually advertisers) embedded in the website
Commonly used for tracking across multiple sites
Authentication cookies are a special type of web cookie used to identify and verify a user after they log in to a website or web application.
What They Do:
Once you log in to a site, the server creates an authentication cookie and sends it to your browser. This cookie:
Proves to the website that you're logged in
Prevents you from having to log in again on every page you visit
Can persist across sessions if you select "Remember me"
What's Inside an Authentication Cookie?
Typically, it contains:
A unique session ID (not your actual password)
Optional metadata (e.g., expiration time, security flags)
Analytics cookies are cookies used to collect data about how visitors interact with a website. Their primary purpose is to help website owners understand and improve user experience by analyzing things like:
How users navigate the site
Which pages are most/least visited
How long users stay on each page
What device, browser, or location the user is from
What They Track:
Some examples of data analytics cookies may collect:
Page views and time spent on pages
Click paths (how users move from page to page)
Bounce rate (users who leave without interacting)
User demographics (location, language, device)
Referring websites (how users arrived at the site)
Here’s how you can disable cookies in common browsers:
1. Google Chrome
Open Chrome and click the three vertical dots in the top-right corner.
Go to Settings > Privacy and security > Cookies and other site data.
Choose your preferred option:
Block all cookies (not recommended, can break most websites).
Block third-party cookies (can block ads and tracking cookies).
2. Mozilla Firefox
Open Firefox and click the three horizontal lines in the top-right corner.
Go to Settings > Privacy & Security.
Under the Enhanced Tracking Protection section, choose Strict to block most cookies or Custom to manually choose which cookies to block.
3. Safari
Open Safari and click Safari in the top-left corner of the screen.
Go to Preferences > Privacy.
Check Block all cookies to stop all cookies, or select options to block third-party cookies.
4. Microsoft Edge
Open Edge and click the three horizontal dots in the top-right corner.
Go to Settings > Privacy, search, and services > Cookies and site permissions.
Select your cookie settings from there, including blocking all cookies or blocking third-party cookies.
5. On Mobile (iOS/Android)
For Safari on iOS: Go to Settings > Safari > Privacy & Security > Block All Cookies.
For Chrome on Android: Open the app, tap the three dots, go to Settings > Privacy and security > Cookies.
Be Aware:
Disabling cookies can make your online experience more difficult. Some websites may not load properly, or you may be logged out frequently. Also, certain features may not work as expected.
The Department of Anthropology honors the memory of Jane Goodall. Her extensive research with chimpanzees has set her apart as one of the world’s most influential primatologist. For more information on her impact and legacy, check out the following obituary “Jane Goodall Changed How We See Ourselves“, written by Dimitris Xygalatas.
The Department of Anthropology honors the memory of Dr. Gretel H. Pelto, a pioneering figure in applied nutritional anthropology. Her groundbreaking work and enduring contributions have left a profound impact on the field and on the many lives she touched through her research and mentorship. To read more about her legacy and contributions, please visit […]
The Department of Anthropology is proud to congratulate graduate student Danielle Nadeau on receiving a prestigious award from the National Institute of Social Sciences (NISS). This honor recognizes Danielle’s outstanding contributions and promise in the field of social sciences. Her research reflects a strong commitment to impactful, innovative scholarship, and we are thrilled to see […]
Dr. Merrill Singer was recently honored by two of his former students, Dr.’s Bayla Ostrach and Shir Lerman Ginsburg. https://www.anthropology-news.org/articles/merrill-charles-singer/
That connection you feel with fellow fans at the game? It’s even more powerful than you think. By Dimitris Xygalatas Each time the Huskies win another championship, it is not just the team’s performance that galvanizes UConn Nation; it is the collective experience of fans chanting in unison in Gampel or at Rentschler, celebrating together in […]
The UConn Department of Anthropology mourns the passing of Professor Emeritus Merrill Singer. Professor Singer joined the department in 2007 after serving for 25 years as Director of Research, among other leadership roles at the Hispanic Health Council in Hartford, Connecticut. A prolific researcher, dedicated community organizer, and renowned critical medical anthropologist, Professor Singer’s publications […]
Last week, several UConn Anthropology students, faculty, affiliates, and grads presented their research at the Society for American Archaeology 90th annual meeting in Denver, Colorado. Congrats to Roxanne Lebenzon, Jayson Gill, Daniel Adler, Chelsea Betts, Sarah Sportman, Steph Scialo, Nate Acebo, David Leslie, Kate Reinhart, and Kevin McBride on their amazing work!
Still interested in purchasing UConn Anthropology merchandise before the semester ends? Check out our 20% off end of year sale, effective when code MAGNOLIA20 is used at checkout! This promotion will run from Thursday, May 1st through Sunday, May 4th, and can be found on UConn Marketplace.