Web cookies (also called HTTP cookies, browser cookies, or simply cookies) are small pieces of data that websites store on your device (computer, phone, etc.) through your web browser. They are used to remember information about you and your interactions with the site.
Purpose of Cookies:
Session Management:
Keeping you logged in
Remembering items in a shopping cart
Saving language or theme preferences
Personalization:
Tailoring content or ads based on your previous activity
Tracking & Analytics:
Monitoring browsing behavior for analytics or marketing purposes
Types of Cookies:
Session Cookies:
Temporary; deleted when you close your browser
Used for things like keeping you logged in during a single session
Persistent Cookies:
Stored on your device until they expire or are manually deleted
Used for remembering login credentials, settings, etc.
First-Party Cookies:
Set by the website you're visiting directly
Third-Party Cookies:
Set by other domains (usually advertisers) embedded in the website
Commonly used for tracking across multiple sites
Authentication cookies are a special type of web cookie used to identify and verify a user after they log in to a website or web application.
What They Do:
Once you log in to a site, the server creates an authentication cookie and sends it to your browser. This cookie:
Proves to the website that you're logged in
Prevents you from having to log in again on every page you visit
Can persist across sessions if you select "Remember me"
What's Inside an Authentication Cookie?
Typically, it contains:
A unique session ID (not your actual password)
Optional metadata (e.g., expiration time, security flags)
Analytics cookies are cookies used to collect data about how visitors interact with a website. Their primary purpose is to help website owners understand and improve user experience by analyzing things like:
How users navigate the site
Which pages are most/least visited
How long users stay on each page
What device, browser, or location the user is from
What They Track:
Some examples of data analytics cookies may collect:
Page views and time spent on pages
Click paths (how users move from page to page)
Bounce rate (users who leave without interacting)
User demographics (location, language, device)
Referring websites (how users arrived at the site)
Here’s how you can disable cookies in common browsers:
1. Google Chrome
Open Chrome and click the three vertical dots in the top-right corner.
Go to Settings > Privacy and security > Cookies and other site data.
Choose your preferred option:
Block all cookies (not recommended, can break most websites).
Block third-party cookies (can block ads and tracking cookies).
2. Mozilla Firefox
Open Firefox and click the three horizontal lines in the top-right corner.
Go to Settings > Privacy & Security.
Under the Enhanced Tracking Protection section, choose Strict to block most cookies or Custom to manually choose which cookies to block.
3. Safari
Open Safari and click Safari in the top-left corner of the screen.
Go to Preferences > Privacy.
Check Block all cookies to stop all cookies, or select options to block third-party cookies.
4. Microsoft Edge
Open Edge and click the three horizontal dots in the top-right corner.
Go to Settings > Privacy, search, and services > Cookies and site permissions.
Select your cookie settings from there, including blocking all cookies or blocking third-party cookies.
5. On Mobile (iOS/Android)
For Safari on iOS: Go to Settings > Safari > Privacy & Security > Block All Cookies.
For Chrome on Android: Open the app, tap the three dots, go to Settings > Privacy and security > Cookies.
Be Aware:
Disabling cookies can make your online experience more difficult. Some websites may not load properly, or you may be logged out frequently. Also, certain features may not work as expected.
The Connecticut State Museum of Natural History (CSMNH) highlights Connecticut’s rich natural and cultural heritage to inspire wonder in and expand appreciation of the natural world. We use our collections and programming to tell meaningful stories that resonate with our visitors and to create opportunities for compelling community engagement. The CSMNH is especially dedicated to engaging with our community members to address some of the most pressing challenges we face in the 21st century: biodiversity loss, climate change, energy and food security, environmental pollution, and sustainability.
Our continuing mission is to ENGAGE diverse communities across the state, create TRANSFORMATIVE experiences for individuals of all ages, and generate new resources and knowledge through DISCOVERY.
In addition to our public-serving activities, the CSMNH facilitates interactions among the various departments of the University of Connecticut (UConn)’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS), and scholastic departments and programs across the University. As part of CLAS, the CSMNH contributes to the College’s overarching mission to help students learn to succeed, scholars create impactful knowledge, and the community at large work toward meaningful change in Connecticut and around the world. We enhance collaborations among diverse faculty members, students, teachers, professionals and members of the public to engage in synergistic scholarship and educational pursuits.
A Vision for the Future
We have recently launched an exciting new initiative to construct an innovative new “Living Building” with the CSMNH serving as the centerpiece of the space. By creating a Living Building the people of Connecticut will gain a special landmark that will function as a transformative space to experience, discover, and support the natural world. The building will also act as a highly visible gateway for environmental programming regarding research, education, and outreach that reflects the university’s commitment to sustainability and the environment. Learn more about this exciting project at our Living Building page.
Working towards a Decolonized Institution
The CSMNH is committed to decolonizing principles and practices. Decolonization is an ongoing process, as we meaningfully collaborate, learn, and exchange knowledge with culture keepers, our community, and indigenous partners.
