Web cookies remain active for some time even after logging out. Let us know how long they can remain active and what threat they pose to your personal data.

(How long do web cookies remain active?)

Nowadays, while using the internet, we log in to almost every website. From banking to social media and shopping websites, many services use web cookies to identify us. Normally, it seems that logging out of a website means your account is completely secure, but the story is not so simple. Some cookies remain in your browser for a long time, raising concerns about privacy and security.

What are Web Cookies?

Web cookies are small data files that websites store in your browser. They are used to remember your identity, save your preferences, maintain shopping carts, and manage login sessions.

Not every cookie is the same. Some cookies are deleted as soon as you close your browser, while others are stored for a limited time. These are commonly called persistent cookies.

How can cookies last for years?

It's worth noting that a cookie's lifespan depends on the website's expiration date. If its expiration date is set far enough, it remains in the browser for a longer period of time.

However, many websites periodically expire old session or authentication cookies for security purposes. However, long-lasting identification or tracking cookies are still essential for keeping track of your online activity and privacy information.

Why isn't just logging out always enough?

When you log out of a website, the website normally ends your current login session. However, this does not necessarily mean that every cookie in the browser is immediately deleted. Some cookies are simply for the website to remember your preferences or identity. However, if an attacker gets hold of a valid Authentication Token that is still active, the situation could become serious. However, secure websites eliminate the Session Token on the server at the time of logout to mitigate such risks.

When does the real danger arise?

For your information, the biggest risk is when someone else has access to your device or browser, or if software accesses your browser data. Logging in on a public or shared computer can be especially dangerous. Cookies and other data stored in the browser on such devices can compromise your privacy.

How to keep yourself safe?

For security, periodically clear your browser's cookies and site data. Log out after using sensitive websites and don't save your passwords on public computers. It's also important to keep your browser and operating system updated. Use security features like Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) or Passkeys. If an account offers a Log out of all devices or Sign out everywhere option, it should be used in certain conditions.