Data protection risks for mobile browsers: An introduction to cookies and caches

If you call up websites on your smartphone or tablet, you use a browser as a central interface. In the background, mechanisms such as cookies and caches should speed up surfing and make it more comfortable. At the same time, however, they enable detailed spying on the surfing behavior of the users. This dual nature makes them a central theme in data protection. technicallySeen, a browser collects data from a web server, renders it on the user’s device and sends input back to the server so that it can react appropriately. Google’s Chrome and Apple’s Safari dominate the market on smartphones and tablets. They are very similar to their desktop versions in design and functionality. In addition, they allow the synchronization of data betweenMobile and stationary devices, such as bookmarks, open tabs or access data including passwords. However, mobile browsers show restrictions on settings for data protection and data security, which entails additional risks.

Technical basics: How browsers communicate with web servers

When you access a website, the browser automatically transmits a wealth of information to the web server without the user noticing anything about it. These include the exact browser version, plugins installed, the version of the operating system, the screen resolution and even the user’s country of origin. This data helps the server to adjust the display: text, images, videos andMenu bars are optimally matched to the respective device. Browser and servers also exchange information whether the user has already visited the website and whether stored data can be transferred. This is usually done by small text files called cookies that are stored on the device and contain relevant information. The server thus recognizes whether a user is logged in andDisplays personalized content.

The role of cookies: Tracking of surfing behavior

Cookies allow for comprehensive tracking of a user’s online activities, both retrospectively and in real time. You enter which links in parallel tabs have been clicked, on which social media platforms the user is registered on, and save usernames, account details, shopping cart contents or form entries. From these interaction and transaction dataDeal interests, preferences and personality traits to create detailed profiles. Advertisers in particular appreciate cookies because they can use these findings to develop targeted campaigns. You purchase from website operators for banners and permission to set cookies. Cookies are persistent: They survive the logout from protected areas, theClosing the website, exiting the browser or even restarting the device. The next time the browser is called up, the browser automatically loads suitable cookies and transmits the data to the website.

Settings against Tracking: Do Not Track and Cookie Blockages

popular Browsers offer basic protection options. In Safari can be found under Settings > Privacy and Security The “No Tracking” option. In Chrome it is under Settings > privacy > Web services and is called “Do Not Track”. However, Apple and Google point out that this is just a non-binding request: You can ignore websites or counter them with advertising.In addition, cookies can generally be blocked, filtered according to criteria or strictly prohibited. Users can delete all cookies at once or remove them individually in Safari. Less common iOS browsers such as Opera, Dolphin or Puffin are not taken into account here.

Browser Caches: Accelerate with Privacy Risks

Browsers store content in caches, the caches to speed up repeated calls. Parts or entire websites land locally, so that they load at lightning speed when you visit again. However, this caching creates security gaps: third parties can read out stored data, such as access data or payment information. Whoever gets access to surf and behavior,can create user profiles from it and draw sensitive conclusions.

Practical countermeasures: prevent data to be collected, data protected

Users can partially stop the background driving by enabling targeted options in the browser settings under “Privacy” or “Data Security”. Cookies can be selectively or completely blocked, and cache data is manually deleted. Regular cleansing reduces the risk of sensitive information falling into the wrong hands. These measures require some effort,but strengthen control over personal data considerably.