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.
John Burrellis a second-year doctoral student in the Giftedness, Creativity, and Talent Development program.He received his BA in Psychology and Sociology with a minor in GLBT studies from the University of Minnesota. John earned his Master of Arts in Teaching from Hamline University in St. Paul, Minnesota, with endorsements in high school physics and middle school science. He taught math and science for seven years before coming to UCONN. John has continued to serve on the faculty of thePhillips Academy Andover Summer program. As a Graduate Assistant, John is working on Project EAGLE, which explores dynamic approaches toidentifying gifted English Learners (ELs) in the math classroom. John also spends ten hours per week on independent research as an educational psychology fellow. John’s research interests include mathematical education, executive functions, and the evolution of academic and cultural conceptions of giftedness and talent development. Advisor: Del Siegle.
Prior to enrolling in UConn’s Educational Psychology: Giftedness, Creativity, and Talent Development doctoral program, Shannon McDonald was both a middle and high school English/Language Arts educator. She received her B.A. in English Literature and M.A.T. in Gifted Education & Equitable Instruction. Shannon’s research interests center around the talent development process and the desire to explore avenues through which parents and educators can best support children’s acquisition of cognitive and psychosocial skills. She is also interested in exploring the intersection of media literacy and talent development. Advisor: Catherine Little
Shuyu Wang is a first-year Giftedness, Creativity, and Talent Development Program doctoral student. She received her M.A. from Hainan Normal University in Curriculum and Instruction and her M.S. from Missouri State University in Educational Technology. She had one and a half years of work experience in ICT-supported instructional design and teacher training programs. Her research focuses on educational equity and creativity. Advisor: James Kaufman
Mei Zhengis a third-year doctoral student in the Giftedness, Creativity, and Talent Development program. She received her M.A. from Pace University in General Psychology. She is a research assistant for the NCRGE’s Subject Acceleration studyand currentlyworks collecting information about subject acceleration practices across various districts. Her research focuses on people's beliefs about creativity and cross-cultural differences. She is also interested in the relationship between meaning and creativity.Advisor: James Kaufman
