We recently carried out research that revealed that more than four in five people (85%) have accepted cookies on a website without reading any of the policies; more than a third (37%) say they’ve done so only to later discover they had agreed to something they wish they hadn’t.

Renowned celebrity baker, Prue Leith, has teamed up with Avast to educate the UK on digital cookies as research shows that over a third of us (35%) don’t know what they actually are or what they do. The research explains that more than four in five (85%) of UK adults have accepted cookies on a website without reading any of the policies or making any changes, yet nearly seven in 10 (68%) worry that they could be risking their online privacy by doing so. 

More than a third (37%) say they’ve previously accepted cookies or Ts and Cs to later discover they had agreed to something they wish they hadn’t. Our research also revealed that people are more likely to agree to terms they don’t understand online (62%) than they are when faced with a contract in real life (54%).

Three in 10 Brits (29%) feel confused by cookie policies and 70% even believe websites intentionally try to confuse people with the language they use. In light of this, three quarters (75%) of Brits think internet users need to be better educated on what cookies actually are. 

Understanding the importance of digital freedom

With the public in need of a helping hand, baking star Prue Leith has created a free limited-edition run of her chocolate chip cookies, which are packaged up with hints, tips, and tricks on how to better understand cookies. These cookies come complete with everything you need to know about online Ts and Cs, as one in five (20%) of those who don’t read T’s and C’s say a lack of understanding is what puts them off reading Ts and Cs before accepting. 

To order a box of cookies for yourself or a friend, please email the person’s name and delivery address details to cookies@avast.com. 

Prue Leith comments, “While recent times have highlighted the importance of being connected online, it’s also never been more important for people to feel safe while doing so. Many people of all ages, but particularly my generation, are not as familiar with certain aspects of the internet and this of course includes digital cookies. This can prove to be a barrier to embracing everything that being online has to offer so I am absolutely delighted to be working with Avast to help people understand what cookies are and how they work.”

“There’s real joy in the connectivity that [the internet] allows you. I’ve always been a bit of a bossy woman, so I’m just saying to the whole world: Get with it; learn about cookies; stop being frightened of them; find out what they’re good for,” says Leith.

Ready to get baking? Get Prue Leith’s chocolate chip recipe card to create at home.

Avast’s mission is to protect digital freedom for everyone, which includes helping people understand more about what digital cookies are and consequently helping them to navigate the internet as safely as possible. 

Avast CISO Jaya Baloo comments, “Online privacy and digital freedom are a fundamental human right. The internet is, however, often complex and difficult to navigate due to confusing terminology and functionality. Our research clearly demonstrates that many people do not really understand cookies, how they work, and what implications they have. By being educated and informed about how digital cookies and online terms and conditions work, users can take the necessary steps to enjoy a better online experience and embrace everything the internet has to offer without worries around privacy and tracking.”

Read up on a handful of tips on digital cookies in order to stay protected while navigating the digital landscape.

Achieve online privacy with our tips on cookies

1. The first step to navigating digital cookies is understanding what exactly they are. Cookies are like an identification card made up of small bits of information in the form of text that help computers interact with websites, and they can be both good and bad. On the one hand, they allow websites to remember information, such as logins or items stored in an online shopping cart. On the other hand, they can record an individual’s browsing activity so advertisers can use it for targeted advertising.
   
   
2. If you want to limit the information that websites can access, choose a browser that blocks third-party cookies (those created by websites other than the one you’re visiting) by default. Alternatively, you can alter the default settings in your browser to do so.
   
   
3. It’s good digital hygiene to clear cookies on a regular basis. You can do so in the settings or preferences of your browser of choice. Deleting cookies helps to keep your browser running smoothly. Do this periodically, because as soon as you revisit a website after clearing all cookies, they will load again and accumulate as you browse the web.
   
   
4. Some websites allow you to control what cookies to accept or reject via a pop-up window that appears before you access them. It is good practice to only accept the cookies required for websites to function, such as language and region, and reject those related to advertising and tracking. 
   
   
5. For more privacy-conscious people, consider rejecting all cookies, but expect website performance issues to arise. Alternatively, choose a secure browser with anti-tracking technology to  block web trackers, including cookies, to minimize the amount of online surveillance by companies.
   
   

To be able to deliver cookies to you or the nominee, we will need to process your email address and name, surname, email address and delivery address of any person to whom we will be delivering cookies. We will use this personal data only to deliver cookies and we will not use it for any other purpose. Please see our Privacy Policy for more detailed information about how we process personal data.

Cookie giveaway:

Deliveries will be made to UK addresses only. The giveaway will launch on April 12, 2022, and will close for orders at midnight on May 5, 2022, or for as long as stocks last. Please note that there will be a maximum allocation of one box of cookies per order. 

Ingredients and allergens: 

For allergens, including cereals containing gluten, see ingredients in bold. 

Wheat Flour, Butter (Milk), Sugar, Brown Sugar, Chocolate, Chocolate (Milk), Baking Powder, Bicarbonate of Soda, Salt, Egg. Allergens given are indicative only.

Cookie handling:

The cookies are produced in a 5* hygiene rated bakery, which handles all nuts and sesame. Meringue Girls takes precautions to avoid cross contamination, but we do not advise eating this product if you have severe allergies.