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.
Biosecurity Education to Safeguard Animals at Fairs and Events
Stay Healthy Around Animals
We can be exposed to illnesses when we interact with animals, other people, and our shared environment. When engaging with animals at exhibitions and events, practicing hygiene is a must!
Wash hands with soap and water or use hand sanitizer after interacting with animals.
Avoid eating, drinking, smoking, or vaping near animals and in barns.
Ask before touching any animal. Avoid making contact with saliva or other fluids.
Use shoe disinfecting mats and hand wash stations when entering and exiting an animal area.
Notify a handler or event manager right away if you are scratched or bitten by an animal.
At home, wash all clothing, disinfect footwear, and sanitize items like phones, toys, and stroller tires.
The BE SAFE Project
Fairs and public events bring people and animals together, creating valuable opportunities for agricultural education and community connection. However, these events also present increased risks for the spread of zoonotic diseases—those that can be transmitted between animals and humans. BE SAFE is a proactive educational initiative designed to enhance biosecurity practices at fairs and public animal events, protecting both animal and human health.
Our Mission
BE SAFE aims to increase awareness, preparedness, and implementation of biosecurity measures among youth exhibitors, volunteers, fair organizers, and the general public. Through educational outreach and practical tools, we’re building a culture of health and safety in animal event settings across the Northeast.
What We Do
We take a multi-faceted approach to biosecurity education with resources and programming designed for all levels of involvement in animal events. BE SAFE resources include:
Fact sheets for youth and adults on key biosecurity topics
Posters and signage for use at fairs and public venues
Biosecurity kits with practical materials
Educational workshops and displays
Guidance on healthy human-animal interactions
Pilot Program & Education
In summer 2025, BE SAFE will launch its pilot initiative through the UConn 4-H Fair system. These efforts will serve as a model for broader implementation across the Northeast. All materials and resources will be accessible through this site and the UConn Extension network to support fairs and events of all sizes.
B.E. S.A.F.E.