What are session cookies?
Posted: May 10, 2023
Understanding how data is managed through cookies is vital for ensuring user privacy and compliance with regulatory standards. This blog aims to explore the intricacies of session cookies and their roles in the broader scope of cookie management.
What are session cookies?
Session cookies are temporary cookies used by websites to track and manage a user’s interaction within a single browser session. Unlike persistent cookies, which remain on the user’s device for a set period and across multiple sessions, session cookies are deleted automatically when the browser is closed.
The primary function of session cookies is to maintain continuity and context during your browsing session. For instance, they help websites remember what items you have added to your shopping cart, keep you logged in as you navigate between pages, or ensure that any form data you enter isn’t lost as you move from one page to another.
Because of their essential role in facilitating seamless web interactions, session cookies are critical for enabling basic website functionalities that improve user experience and are typically exempt from requiring explicit consent under data protection regulations. They do not store personal data permanently and are considered less invasive in terms of privacy and security compared to other types of cookies.
What are session cookies used for?
Session cookies serve several key functions beyond maintaining a user’s login state and shopping cart contents. They are also crucial for security purposes, such as supporting web firewalls that protect against unauthorized access. Session cookies can enhance site functionality by enabling personalized settings for each session, such as theme preferences or menu layouts, which are reset when the browser is closed. This tailored approach ensures that each user’s interaction is smooth and personalized, yet temporary.
How do session cookies work?
The technical operation of session cookies involves not just storing the session ID, but also ensuring it remains secure throughout the user’s interaction with the site. When a session cookie is set, it contains a unique identifier that matches a specific session stored on the server. This mechanism is crucial for preventing session hijacking, where an attacker might try to steal the session cookie and gain unauthorized access to the user’s data. Typically, session cookies are encrypted and can be configured to be accessible only over secure channels (marked as Secure) and only through HTTP requests (marked as HttpOnly), enhancing security.
What is the difference between cookies and sessions?
Expanding on their differences, it’s important to note that sessions can store more complex data structures compared to cookies, which are typically limited in size. While cookies are sent with every HTTP request, potentially slowing down the web browsing experience if not managed well, session data does not travel back and forth between the client and server, thus optimizing performance and security. Sessions end either after a timeout or when explicitly terminated, whereas cookies persist based on their specified lifespan.
Session cookies example
Consider an online banking session where a user logs in to check their balances and transact. A session cookie here would not only manage login states but also complex, security-critical interactions during the session. It ensures that the user does not need to authenticate every single transaction within that session, thereby balancing security and convenience.
Persistent cookies vs session cookies
The use of persistent cookies extends to scenarios such as implementing “remember me” functionality on websites, where users’ login credentials or session states are remembered across multiple sessions. This is particularly useful for users who frequently return to a website and prefer not to log in each time. However, because they can track long-term user behavior, persistent cookies raise more privacy concerns than session cookies, underlining the need for clear user consent and privacy policies.
Do you need consent for session cookies?
While the general rule is that strictly necessary session cookies do not require consent, the definition of ‘strictly necessary’ can vary by jurisdiction. For instance, in the European Union under the GDPR, only those cookies absolutely essential for delivering services explicitly requested by the user are exempt from the consent requirement. This emphasizes the importance of not only informing users about the use of such cookies but also ensuring that their implementation strictly adheres to legal definitions of necessity and minimum scope of operation.
Session cookies FAQs
What’s the difference between cookies and sessions?
While cookies are data stored on the user’s device (often as small text files), sessions use a server-side storage mechanism to maintain user states throughout a web browsing session. Session cookies serve as a key identifier that bridges the gap between the client and the server by storing a unique session ID used by the server to retrieve the session data. This process ensures security and seamless user experience by minimizing data load during transactions.
Do session cookies require consent?
Strictly necessary session cookies, which are indispensable for website operation such as conducting a transaction or providing a service requested by the user (like e-commerce shopping carts), typically do not require user consent. However, it is crucial for user trust and legal compliance to inform users about the presence of these cookies, possibly within a privacy policy or cookie notice at the point of website entry.
What are performance cookies?
Performance cookies are used to gather data on website performance metrics such as page load times, response times, and error messages. This information helps website owners identify parts of their site that are underperforming and make necessary improvements, ultimately enhancing the user experience. These cookies do not collect information that identifies a visitor and are valued for their role in improving web functionalities.
What are functional cookies?
Functional cookies are essential for creating interactive websites that respond to user choices and preferences. They remember settings and customization changes such as language selections, region, or even text size, enabling consistent personalization across the site. These cookies enhance user experience by making interactions with the site smoother and more tailored to individual needs.
What are analytics cookies?
Analytics cookies collect and report data on user interactions within the website, providing insights that help website operators understand how visitors engage with their site elements. This data is critical for analyzing site traffic, optimizing content, and better understanding user pathways, which helps in improving site architecture and design for better engagement and retention.
What are advertisement cookies?
Advertisement cookies are crucial for ad management and personalization across websites. They track user behavior, such as the ads viewed or clicked, allowing advertisers to deliver more relevant advertising content to each user. These cookies help marketers measure the effectiveness of ad campaigns and optimize the ads displayed based on user preferences and behaviors.
What are persistent cookies?
Persistent cookies, also known as permanent or stored cookies, are stored on a user’s device in between browser sessions and allow the preferences or actions of the user across a site (or in some cases across different sites) to be remembered. These cookies can be used for a variety of purposes, including remembering choices and preferences when using a site or targeting advertising.
What are first-party cookies?
First-party cookies are those set by the website that the user is visiting directly. They are commonly used to collect analytics data, remember language settings, and perform other functions that provide a smooth online experience.
What are third-party cookies?
Third-party cookies are set by a domain other than the one the user is visiting. They are often used for online advertising purposes and tracking, enabling advertisers to deliver tailored advertising to users across different sites and over time, thereby creating a profile of a user’s interests.
How do I stop blocking session cookies?
To stop blocking session cookies, users can adjust their browser settings to accept cookies, particularly those that are considered secure and come from trusted websites. This can typically be done through the privacy settings or options menu of most modern web browsers.
Should I always allow session cookies?
Allowing session cookies, especially from trusted sites, can significantly enhance your browsing experience by maintaining your session state and preferences across a website. However, it’s important to review and understand the cookie practices of each site and adjust settings or permissions based on your comfort with their data handling practices.
Where are session cookies stored?
Session cookies are stored in the memory of your browser and are only available during an active browser session. Once the browser is closed, these cookies are usually deleted automatically due to their temporary nature.
Where are non-session cookies stored?
Non-session or persistent cookies are stored on the hard drive of your device and can remain there until they expire naturally or are manually deleted by the user. These cookies are reactivated upon revisits to the respective websites.
Do session cookies expire?
Yes, session cookies are designed to expire as soon as the user closes their browser or after a short timeout period, effectively ending the user’s session on the website. This makes them ideal for short-term data storage associated with a single session.
Cookie Consent and Data Privacy
Cookie management is a crucial aspect of maintaining user trust and complying with global data privacy regulations such as GDPR and CCPA. It’s important for users to understand their rights and for websites to uphold their responsibility in managing cookies transparently. This includes implementing a cookie consent banner, maintaining a detailed cookie policy, and providing users with easy access to modify their preferences at any time.
By effectively managing cookie consent, particularly session cookies, websites not only comply with legal standards but also enhance user satisfaction by balancing functionality with privacy.
Read our Cookies guide
Are you aware that a significant number of organizations are still not compliant with cookies, and 68% of the most-visited websites have failed GDPR compliance tests? Consumers demand more from the brands they engage with. Ensure your brand stands out by making informed decisions about your cookie policy that keep you compliant and elevate the customer experience.
