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July 1, 1997
Cookies and The
Web: The Goal is Rich Interactivity
by Dave Evans and Heidi Johnson
Overview:
This article reviews the use of
"Cookies" on your computer! It's not about
peanut butter or chocolate chip, but you'll learn how
cookies affect your rights to privacy as well as access
to information.
Cookies: A Quick Primer
A cookie is a little piece of
information that a web site may use to identify your
computer. Sites that create cookies typically store
information about your use of that site in a database.
When you return to the site, the cookie is used to find
your information and to tailor your current visit based
on what you did on your prior visits.
Cookies are used in a few places on the
The Global Schoolhouse
site. They allow more then one person access to a
database at the same time, and allow each user to search
for what he or she ise looking for without affecting
others accessing the same database. This is why cookies
are important for you.
The following example describes the
"cookie" process in more familiar terms.
When you enter a store for the first
time, a professional salesperson will greet you, ask your
name, and offer to help you. When you return to the
store, that same professional will remember your name,
and will recall what you purchased, what you liked and
didn't like, and will use that information to make your
subsequent visits more enjoyable. Cookies allow web
developers to create the same environment in a web
application.
The Benefits of Cookies
Cookies allow a web application to
respond to you as an individual. By gathering and
remembering information about your preferences, the web
application can tailor its operation to your needs, likes
and dislikes.
For example, a cookie can be used to
remember your name and the colors and fonts that you
prefer to see. To be fair, a password could do the same
thing, but doesn't it just feel nice to be greeted by
name when you walk into a store? Sure it does! Cookies
can keep track of what you are doing while using the
application. When you visit an electronic store, a cookie
makes it easy to shop by allowing you to drop things into
a virtual "cart." The cookie actually keeps
track of your cart versus others in use at the same time.
The benefits of cookies can be summed
up simply: cookies allow web developers to create better
web applications, applications that are more personal,
easier to use and richer in their degree of
interactivity. Of course, cookies do not in themselves
make a winning application, and many great sites exist
that don't use cookies at all. Cookies are simply one
technology out of a range of tools that developers use to
improve your experience on the Web.
Your Right to Privacy
You have a right to privacy: you have a
right to expect that the information you share will be
used for purposes reasonable related to the context in
which you offered the information. Think about the
salesperson again: you would expect that, having
purchased a classical CD, the salesperson may let you
know about an upcoming symphony performance. However, you
would be likely be offended if someone representing the
symphony called you and said "based on your purchase
last week, we would like to ask_" This example
illustrates the difference between the proper and
improper use of your personal information.
When visiting web sites, you have been
asked to sign guest books, register for promotions or
free downloads, or to provide personal information under
similar conditions. What happens to that information? The
answer—and there are as many as there are web
sites—can be surprising.
For many years, long before the
Internet and the World Wide Web became popular, a common
site in many businesses was a contest form and entry box:
"Fill out this form for a chance to win a car!"
Did you ever win a car? Did anyone you know ever win a
car? The contest wasn't about the car—the contest
was about getting your name and address, which was then
sold to mail order solicitation firms, who in turn sold
advertising and contact information. The same holds true
on the Internet: your personal information is worth
money, and there are businesses set up to gather that and
re-distribute that information.
Your Right to Know
Let's pull a couple of things together
now: cookies, which allow a developer to create an
application that learns about you and about your
preferences, and the business of reselling information.
There is an immediate and obvious problem: but it is not
the technology, it is the way in which the technology
might be used. Cookies did not create the information
re-selling business, nor did a cookie gather the
information that someone else may be willing to pay for.
Instead, the cookie created the link between your
name—obtained when you signed the guest book at the
web site—and the pages that you browsed while at the
site.
The important point is that you
provided the information—most likely based on your
perception of how that information would be used. Imagine
that you are walking down the street and someone you've
never seen asks to see your driver's license. "I
just want to look at it, honest!" Sure. Bye. Now
imagine that the person is a cashier, that you are in a
store and that you are writing a check. "I'll need
to see your driver's license." Without a thought,
you present it and complete the transaction. The
difference is the context—and your expectation of
how and for what purpose the information would be used.
When you visit a web site, before you
offer any personal information, think about the site. Is
it a site you visit often? What happens to the
information collected? Does the site offer a written
policy about its use of personal information? You have
the right to know, and you have the option of not
providing personal information until you do know.
What You Can Do To Protect Your
Privacy
We live in an information-based
society. While that is no reason to give up hope of
privacy, trying to shield yourself from all intrusive
behaviors is probably not the most practical solution
either. Remember these points, and you'll have blocked
the majority of invasive practices:
- Don't give information to
strangers. Sure, it's the Internet, but a quick
call to friend or a letter to the web master will
often shed light on the motives of a web site
you've not visited before
- Don't provide anything until you
are comfortable with how it will be used. Look
for the site's policy, and if you don't see it,
write to the web master and ask for it. If you
don't get a response, do you really want to do
business at that site?
- Do try to understand the benefits
and exposures of new technology. It is your
responsibility to decide how you will use the
Internet, and for what purposes.
- Don't assume that by rejecting
cookies you are safe. Cookies are merely the
technology—the danger is the re-use of the
information that you provide.
- Do take the time to report
businesses that misrepresent themselves, either
in the services they deliver, or in the way in
which they use information that you provide.
Other Information
On behalf of all developers, we very
much appreciate your taking the time to read this
article, and for your efforts in educating yourself on
the responsible use of emerging web technologies.
Note: Dave Evans is the System
Administrator for The Global Schoolhouse, which includes
The Well Connected Educator. Heidi Johnson is The Global
Schoolhouse Site Manager for Microsoft.
Email: Dave Evans
Heidi
Johnson
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