Author
Michel T Dallaire
Speaker, Residential Cybersecurity Hygiene Consultant and Software Architect.
For 37 years, as a computer scientist and speaker, I have decided to share my knowledge with as many people as possible.
Recent Posts
The Black Cookies of Holiday Shopping!
The holiday season is often synonymous with great deals and a frenzy of online shopping. Between Black Friday, Christmas, and all those flash sales, it’s hard to resist the temptation of a good bargain. But watch out for the “Santa’s cookies” lurking behind every click — they may know more about you than you think!
🍪 What are cookies, anyway?
Ah, cookies… No, not the delicious biscuits that Santa eats when dropping off gifts! In reality, they are small text files that websites store on your computer to “remember” you. Some are useful, like those that let you keep your shopping cart intact, but others are a bit more… nosy, shall we say.
🎅 Santa’s Spy Cookies: How Do They Work?
There are first-party cookies (those from the site you’re visiting directly), and then there are third-party cookies, a bit like spies. These are placed by advertisers and third-party services to track your activities online. They can be used to see which sites you’ve visited, what you’ve searched for, and even to show you ads that “predict” your desires. For example, if you’re searching for a birthday gift for your nephew, suddenly — like magic — toy ads flood your social media!
It may seem convenient, but it also means that your information is being shared with companies you may not even know… and your privacy could be at risk.
🎁 How to Protect Yourself from Unwanted Cookies During Holiday Shopping
Here are some tips to keep “Santa’s cookies” sweet treats instead of spies following your every click.
- Clear your cookies regularly 🧹 Make it a habit to clear your cookies in your browser settings from time to time. It’s like letting Santa take a nap before he resumes watching over your shopping habits. This prevents data accumulation that could be used to profile you.
- Use incognito mode 🕵️♂️ Incognito mode prevents cookies from tracking your browsing activity across different sites. Of course, it doesn’t make your purchases anonymous, but it’s like putting on Santa’s coat… a little more discreet!
- Block third-party cookies 🚫🍪 In your browser settings, you can block third-party cookies. It’s like telling Santa to keep his nosy elves outside while you peacefully buy gifts.
- Check the site’s security before buying 🔍🔒 A secure site always starts with HTTPS and displays a little padlock icon in the address bar. If you don’t see a padlock, it’s probably not a site Santa visits! Stay away from these sites for purchasing gifts.
- Use secure payment methods 💳 Opt for using credit cards or services like PayPal, which offer better protection in case of an issue. If something goes wrong, Santa knows your money is safe and you’ll be able to get it back more easily.
🎄 Avoid Traps: Beware of Fake Holiday Promos!
Cybercriminals love the holiday season too. Fake ads and offers that are too good to be true are common during this time of year. If you see a 90% discount on the latest gadget, take a step back: Santa is generous, but he’s not naive!
🍪 How About Refusing Some Cookies?
Regulations like the GDPR give you the right to choose which cookies to accept or refuse. Take the time to manage your preferences when visiting a site for the first time. The fewer tracking cookies you accept, the less cluttered your digital sleigh will be.
Be Careful During the Holidays, Even Online! 🎅🎁 Holiday and Black Friday shopping can be a wonderful way to bring joy to your loved ones, but it’s important to stay vigilant. Santa’s cookies are certainly delightful on the Christmas Eve table, but on the internet, they can become unwelcome spies. Keep an eye on your browsing habits and remain in control of your personal information. And, of course, enjoy the holidays safely!
Disclaimer
The information presented here is provided for informational and academic purposes at the time of publication. Although often still relevant, the Cyber Care Academy, ArchiTEK NumeRIK, and Michel T Dallaire cannot be held responsible for any issues, rights violations, or damages you may incur as a result of the information presented.
Technology and cyber threats are constantly evolving, and hackers are continuously developing new bypass methods. We do our best to provide up-to-date and accurate information, but it is your responsibility to stay vigilant and adapt to technological changes.