Impact Ict on Work & Society

Table of Contents

An introduction to cookies, spyware and context sensitive advertising 2

History of cookies, spyware and context sensitive advertising. 2

EU Directive on the use of cookies. 3

General 3

Cookie types 4

Implementation 5

Enforcement 5

Advantages & Disadvantages of cookies technology 6

Conclusion 6

Bibliography 7

Credits 8

Appendix 1 8

An introduction to cookies, spyware and context sensitive advertising

The terms cookies, spyware and context sensitive advertising are contrasted closely due to the purpose and origin of their existence. Cookies are nothing more but text files that are installed on a computerized device upon visiting a website, the cookies are meant for the website owner(s) to track information regarding the visit to their website. All the cookies are given different names; each for their purpose. There are session-cookies, persistent cookies, HttpOnly cookies, Third-Party Cookies, Zombie cookies etcetera.

Spyware is a piece of software that is installed on a computerized device, either knowingly or unknowingly to track personal information or to distribute advertisement also known as adware.

The outcome of these technologies might be context sensitive advertising that is nothing more than providing you as a potential consumer for any services or products with targeted advertisement based on personal internet activity. This advertisement is made possible with thanks to cookies and spyware, or either information that you have provided while participating in surveys, the use of search engines, signed up a social media account such as Facebook, Linkedin, Google+.

The use of these technologies raises privacy related concerns to the users and local governments, as in fact private information is stored by third-parties.

Figure [ 1 ] - Google's context sensitive advertising.

History of cookies, spyware and context sensitive advertising.

The internet cookies where invented by Lou Montulli, a former...