Cookies - Tina Dubinsky Freelance Writer

When I hear, read or write the word ‘cookies’, my mind can’t help but retrieve an image of the infamous Cookie Monster from Sesame Street. In case your childhood skipped past this invention, here’s a short, relevant extract.

So, here’s the thing, cookies are important to me too. They help make your user experience on my website smoother. As well they help with site promotion and let me see what I’m doing right and wrong with my content.

However, it’s understandable that not everyone likes cookies. Just like I don’t like anchovies, or advertising in the middle of my favourite TV show on Pay TV which was just cancelled.#SaveLucifer

Below, you can found out about the cookies I use on my website. Plus, I’ll also explain how you can say no to cookies and what it means to be cookie free.

While you’re here, you should also read my privacy policy which isn’t as fun as this page but it is important.

So, what’s a cookie if it’s not edible?

A cookie is a text file. It contains small bite-sized packets of information. Cookies contain preferences or other information which identifies you as a user of a website. Generally, cookies might contain personal information, but only information you’ve provided.

Cookies can be session based or persistent. Persistent cookies save to your computer when you interact with a website or app and session based last as long as you’re browsing the website.

There are two main types of cookies.

First party cookies: issued by this website. They are used to enhance your experience. An example would be an analytic cookie to understand how a user interacts with my website.
Third party cookies: cookies set by other interested parties, such as marketing companies. These cookies might be read when you visit other websites to deliver personalized advertising.

Cookies dished up at tinadubinsky.com

This list isn’t exhaustive. It may also change from time to time depending on the apps and services my website uses.

Google Cookies

Cookie	Origin	Lasts	Purpose
_nid	.google.com	10 years	Preference cookie containing user information.

Google Analytics

Cookie	Origin	Lasts	Purpose
_ga	.tinadubinsky.com	2 years	Analytics: used to distinguish users.
_gat	.tinadubinsky.com	2 years	Analytics: used to distinguish users.
_gid	.tinadubinsky.com	1 minute	Analytics: used to distinguish users.

Jetpack

Cookie	Origin	Lasts	Purpose
eucookielaw	tinadubinsky.com	30 days	Checks if you’ve accepted our cookie agreement.
jetpack_comments_subscribe	tinadubinsky.com	347 days	Records what you specify in the post and comment subscription checkboxes.
jetpack_blog_subscribe	tinadubinsky.com	348 days	Records what you specify in the post and comment subscription checkboxes.

WordPress

Cookie	Origin	Lasts	Purpose
tk_lr	.tinadubinsky.com	2 years	Analytics: Collects user activity internal metrics.
tk_or	.tinadubinsky.com	5 years	Analytics: Collects user activity internal metrics.
tk_r3d	.tinadubinsky.com	2 days	Analytics: Collects user activity internal metrics.
tk_ai	.tinadubinsky.com	5 years	Analytics: Randomly generates an anonymous ID.
tk_qs	.tinadubinsky.com	24 hours	Analytics: Collects user activity internal metrics.
comment_author	.tinadubinsky.com	347 days	Commentator: no need to re-enter all your info.
comment_author_email	.tinadubinsky.com	347 days	Commentator: no need to re-enter all your info.
comment_author_url	.tinadubinsky.com	347 days	Commentator: no need to re-enter all your info.

Twitter

Cookie	Origin	Lasts	Purpose
tfw_exp	.twitter.com	2 Weeks	Set by Twitter for performance capabilities.
lang	cdn.syndication.twimg.com	Session	Exists on pages where twitter widget or twitter button exists.

Akamia

Cookie	Origin	Lasts	Purpose
01AI	.abmr.net	1 Year	Functionality cookie to enable streaming data like video streaming

PayPal

Cookie	Origin	Lasts	Purpose
PYPF	.paypalobjects.com	1 month	A PayPal cookie if you decide to add an item to your cart.

WooCommerce

Cookie	Origin	Lasts	Purpose
woocommerce_cart_hash	tinadubinsky.com	Session	Woocommerce Cart cookie. Doesn’t store personal info
woocommerce_items_in_cart	tinadubinsky.com	Session	Woocommerce Cart cookie. Doesn’t store personal info.
wp_woocommerce_session	tinadubinsky.com	2 days	Woocommerce cookie so it knows which cart belongs to who, it but doesn’t store personal info.

As you can see, there’s quite an assortment of cookies.

How to say no to cookies on your computer

Saying no to cookies depends on your browser and the type of computer or gadget you’re using to connect to the internet. The links below will open a new tab or browser page and take you to that provider’s instructions for turning cookies off.

If you do decide to turn cookies off, your experience of this website may be affected. For example, you won’t be able to use the shop. Plus when you come back for another visit, the pop-up message about accepting cookies on this website may appear again in your browser.

Google Chrome

Mozilla Firefox

Microsoft Internet Explorer

MacOS Safari

If I have not listed your preferred browser above, you may find it and more information on cookies at About Cookies.

And then there are pixels, web beacons and other tech

A pixel is a small amount of code on a web page or in an email notification. I may also use pixels to learn whether you’ve interacted with my website. Web beacons are similar. They’re a an empty image file that track how you browse through a website.

For instance, I have installed a Facebook Pixel app. It collects information on how Facebook users interact with my website and my Facebook page. However, I haven’t activated this plugin yet but the thought is there, especially if I decide to advertise on Facebook.