Definition
Zombie cookies are HTTP cookie types that rebuild themselves after being erased from a user’s browser. Unlike standard cookies, zombie cookies use a web browser’s different storage techniques to reactivate themselves in case a user tries to delete them.
Examples of Zombie Cookies
- Online advertising: Advertisers employ cookies to constantly monitor online user activity, learn their preferences, and send them targeted adverts.
- Website personalization: Zombie cookies may recall a user’s preferences, improving their experience during successive visits.
Pros and Cons of Zombie Cookies
Pros
- Persistent data: They allow the preservation of user information across sessions, resulting in enhanced usability and customization.
- Advertising: Zombie cookies let companies gather extensive user preferences and activity data, implementing more effectual targeted ads.
Cons
- Intrusiveness: They are often condemned for their invasive nature and difficulty removing them.
- Privacy issues: Zombie cookies pose major privacy concerns because they may be used to unknowingly monitor users’ online behavior, which is regarded as unethical.
Managing Zombie Cookies
- Utilize privacy tools and browser settings to identify and remove zombie cookies.