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.
We invite you to engage with a variety of UConn programs at any number of exciting events. October will connect you to the opportunities you seek in enrichment, research, innovation, and creativity at events designed to offer the most impactful and informative experiences.
If you participate in the Month of Discovery, you will find out how you can enhance your college journey in a research opportunity, passion project, classes, at additional events, through a grant, with a professor, and more! Join us to #DiscoverUConn.
What is Discovery Quest?
This is your guide to UConn's Month of Discovery - a series of signature and partner events designed to help you build skills, gain experience, and connect with innovators across campus. From expos to research showcases to hands-on maker activities, every event is a chance to strengthen your resume and practice the problem-solving employers value. Earn 30 points for signature events and 15 points for partner events. Once your reach 90 points (about four events), you'll unlock the Future Innovator Achievement, a digital badge you can showcase on LinkedIn, your resume, or e-portfolio.
Registration runs through the end of Month of Discovery, October 31st. Once registered you will be given access to the Month of Discovery blackboard course where you will record your attendance at the different events with codes that are provided. All UConn undergraduate students are welcome to participate!
The Month of Discovery Planning Team is excited to announce that our amazing line up of signature events for students is back again, with the addition of a new partner, the Center for Career Readiness and Life Skills. For the first 100 students at each event, a different retro Month of Discovery prize will be given out.
10/2/25
Thursday
Prize: 3D Printed Keychain
Jump into hands-on creativity at Makerspace Bounce! Explore UConn’s makerspaces, try out 3D printing, virtual reality, crafting and more at interactive stations staffed by mentors and student creators. Whether you're a tinkerer, designer, or curious newcomer, this is your chance to experiment, ask questions, and spark your next innovative project.
10/7/25
Tuesday
Prize: MOD Sticker
Connections for Tomorrow builds meaningful connections on campus and beyond, with practical strategies for networking both online and in person in this interactive workshop. You’ll learn to confidently introduce yourself, craft a memorable elevator pitch, and grow a network that supports your professional goals.
10/16/25
Thursday
Prize: MOD Waterbottle
At Research Connections, learn how you can plug into faculty-led projects, student research opportunities, and funding to pursue your own inquiries. Hear from students who’ve done paid research, present posters, or earned grants—including advice on getting started, navigating university research, and turning curiosity into action.
10/23/25
Thursday
Prize: MOD Hat
Fall Frontiers is a showcase of UConn’s most daring and unusual work—from tech innovations and community projects to creative performances and startup ideas. See what UConn students and faculty have been building, presenting, or coding this year, and talk one-on-one with creators about how they got started and what’s next.
10/27/25
Monday
Prize: MOD Backpack
Meet fellow students and mentors behind UConn’s most creative, innovative, and entrepreneurial programs. Turn those connections into opportunities to build your future—all in one place, all in one afternoon at the Experience Innovation Expo!
This is your guide to UConn's Month of Discovery - a series of signature and partner events designed to help you build skills, gain experience, and connect with innovators across campus. From expos to research showcases to hands-on maker activities, every event is a chance to strengthen your resume and practice the problem-solving employers value. Earn 30 points for signature events and 15 points for partner events. Once your reach 90 points (about four events), you'll unlock the Future Innovator Achievement, a digital badge you can showcase on LinkedIn, your resume, or e-portfolio. 
