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.
FOI #20-260 (08-7-20, 4:27 pm) - Subject - Football
Name - Greg Bensinger
Affiliation - New York Times
I am seeking communications, planning documents, meeting minutes and phone logs related to the school's decision to cancel the 2020-21 football season. Responsive documents may include communications with scheduled opponent schools, state and local health officials, boosters, alumni and active football players. Please include pertinent emails directed to or originating from david.benedict@uconn.edu, athleticdirector@uconn.edu, thomas.katsouleas@uconn.edu, patrick.mckenna@uconn.edu and randy.edsall@uconn.edu.
FOI #20-259 (08-6-20, 3:34 pm) - Subject - UConn Football Cancellation
Name - Matt Brown
Affiliation - Extra Points / The Intercollegiate
All emails AND text messages between UConn head football coach Randy Edsall, UConn AD David Benedict and/or UConn president Thomas C. Katsouleas from July 28-August 6th regarding COVID-19, UConn football, UConn athletics, scheduling or cancellation
Any emails sent from UConn.edu email address to any of the three individuals during that time period re: COVID-19, UConn football, UConn athletics, scheduling or cancellation
FOI #20-258 - Subject - Avery Point Academic Building
Name - Alexander Lovejoy
Affiliation -
This office represents the Trustees of the Sheet Metal Workers Local No. 40 Employee Benefit Funds (“Funds”). I write you with regard to Young Developers, LLC (“Young Developers”) and SMS Industries, LLC (“SMS”), signatory contractors who are delinquent to the Funds for construction work performed on the Avery Point Academic Building.
1. Certified payroll records for all work performed by either Young Developers or SMS on the Avery Point Academic Building Project from the start of each respective Company’s work on this project to the present.
2. Any and all payment and performance bonds for Young Developers or SMS for work performed on the Avery Point Academic Building Project, including any bonds contained in subcontracts between any General Contractor, Construction Manager, or Subcontractor who may have subcontracted work to Young Developers or SMS.
If there is a cost for these documents, please advise me of such. Due to the ongoing failure
FOI #20-256 (07-27-20, 1:15 pm) - Subject - Email Records
Name - Jonathan Pruitt
Affiliation - McMaster University
I request a copy of email exchanges from staff member containing the names “Jonathan Pruitt”, “Jonathan”, or “Pruitt” from January 1st, 2019 to July 30th, 2020.
FOI #20-255 - Subject - Forensic Audit of File Drives
Name - Richard Goldstein
Affiliation -
Copies of forensic analyses, any communications with any outside consultant or contactor who conducted the analyses, and all communications with third parties, including, but not limited to, private contractors or government agencies.
FOI #20-254 (07-26-20, 5:27 pm) - Subject - Athletics
Name - Andy Wittry
Affiliation -
I'd like to make a public records request for copies of any guest speaker release/clearance forms regarding any guest speakers brought in virtually or in person for one, or multiple, of the university's athletic teams starting March 12, 2020 and ending July 24, 2020.
FOI #20-253 (07-24-20, 1:44 pm) - Subject - Athletics
Name - Andy Wittry
Affiliation -
I'd like to make a public records request for copies of any surveys or questionnaires sent to university football season ticket holders or fans regarding the 2020-21 school year and their comfortability attending games in person, seating arrangements/preferences, etc.
Under the Connecticut Freedom of Information Act § 1-200 et seq., I am requesting an opportunity to inspect or obtain copies, digital or otherwise, of public records regarding any disciplinary records concerning University of Connecticut Professor.
FOI #20-251 (07-23-20, 1:44 pm) - Subject - Contract and Event Details for Robin DiAngelo
Name - Student Student
Affiliation - UConn
President Katsouleas recently wrote in a mass email, "One example of this commitment is a professional development retreat scheduled for the fall for 44 top leaders of the university with Robin DiAngelo, the antiracism scholar whose White Fragility has become a much-discussed book during this moment. This retreat will help University leadership come to grips with the critical questions of racism and inclusion, and to bring those insights back to our campuses."
I request a breakdown of all costs associated with this event to include contract details with DiAngelo, costs for venue, meals, etc.