
Cookies are small text files that websites store in the browser of our device when we access them. These cookies contain information determined by the website owner and can be retrieved during future visits to the same site.
Initially, cookies were designed to remember the preferred language, keep the session active, or save the settings of a specific site, among other functions, to improve the user's browsing experience.
Highlights
What are they used for?
Although they serve a useful and legitimate purpose, over time the use of cookies has extended beyond usability improvements. Today, they are also used to monitor user behavior for commercial, analytical, or advertising purposes.
One of the most controversial uses is third-party cookies—tracking files installed by entities other than the website owner. These cookies allow, for example, large advertising platforms to track our activity across different websites and create a detailed profile of our preferences and browsing habits.
How to manage cookies?
Modern browsers offer tools to view which cookies each website has stored, as well as options to delete them or block their installation. Most allow you to:
- Delete all cookies or only those from a specific site.
- Block cookies entirely or only third-party ones.
- Set the browser to ask before saving any cookies.
There are also extensions or additional tools to control cookie activity and prevent cross-site tracking.
What can we do to protect our privacy?
To protect your privacy, it is recommended to:
- Review and configure cookie preferences from your browser.
- Periodically delete stored cookies.
- Use private browsing if you don't want any information saved on your device.
- Avoid accepting third-party cookies unless strictly necessary.
- Check each website's cookie policy to understand how they are used.