What cookies are
Cookies are small text files that a website asks your browser to store. They let the site remember things between page loads — most importantly, that you are signed in. Similar technologies include local storage, which this site uses for your theme choice.
This policy explains which cookies TechTipsHub sets, which are set by third parties such as Google, what each is for, and how you can control them. It should be read with our Privacy Policy.
Strictly necessary cookies
These cookies keep you signed in and protect the sign-in process. They cannot be switched off through the site because it would not work without them.
| Cookie | Set by | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
tth_access_token | TechTipsHub | Holds your signed-in session so you can publish, comment and vote. HTTP-only and secure in production. | 1 year |
tth_refresh_token | TechTipsHub | Renews your session when the access token expires. HTTP-only and secure in production. | 1 year |
next-auth.csrf-token | NextAuth | Protects the social sign-in flow against cross-site request forgery. | Session |
next-auth.callback-url | NextAuth | Returns you to the right page after signing in. | Session |
next-auth.session-token | NextAuth | Short-lived session created while you sign in with Google, Facebook or GitHub. Secure variants are prefixed __Secure- or __Host-. | Up to 30 days |
Signing out or deleting the cookies from your browser ends the session. Because these cookies are required, blocking them will prevent you from signing in.
Analytics cookies
We use Google Analytics 4, loaded through Google Tag Manager, to count visits and understand which articles are read. The reports we see are aggregated.
| Cookie | Set by | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
_ga | Distinguishes one browser from another. | 2 years | |
_ga_M37M4689E8 | Keeps the state of your analytics session. | 2 years | |
_gid | Distinguishes visitors for a shorter period. | 24 hours |
You can prevent these cookies with the Google Analytics opt-out add-on, a content blocker, or your browser’s cookie settings. The site continues to work without them.
Advertising cookies
Advertising through Google AdSense keeps TechTipsHub free to read. Google and its partners may set cookies to serve ads based on your earlier visits to this and other sites, to limit repetition and to measure performance.
| Cookie | Set by | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
__gads, __gpi | Ad measurement, frequency capping and fraud prevention. | Up to 13 months | |
IDE | Google (doubleclick.net) | Selects and measures personalised advertising across sites. | Up to 13 months |
test_cookie | Google (doubleclick.net) | Checks whether your browser accepts cookies. | 15 minutes |
_gcl_au | Measures conversions from advertising. | 90 days |
You can turn off personalised advertising in Google Ads Settings. You will still see ads, but they will be based on the page rather than your browsing history. You can also opt out of many third-party vendors at aboutads.info or, in Europe, at Your Online Choices.
Cookies from other services
Some features load services that may set their own cookies or receive limited technical data:
- Payments. TechTipsHub is free and does not run a checkout. If you follow a link to a payment or contribution page, or are redirected to one while reporting a charge made in error, that provider sets its own cookies on its domain under its own cookie and privacy policies. We never see your card details.
- Social sign-in. Choosing Google, Facebook or GitHub takes you through that provider’s sign-in page, where their cookies apply.
- Images. Article images are delivered by Cloudinary. Delivery requests may include your IP address and browser details in standard server logs.
We do not control third-party cookies. Please check the relevant provider’s policy for details and choices.
Local storage
We store your light or dark theme preference in your browser’s local storage under the key theme. It is not sent to our servers and does not identify you. Clearing site data in your browser resets it to the default theme.
Managing cookies
You can control cookies from your browser settings. Most browsers let you view, delete and block cookies, and some let you block them for specific sites. Useful guides are published by All About Cookies.
What happens if you block cookies:
- blocking strictly necessary cookies prevents sign-in, publishing, commenting and voting;
- blocking analytics cookies has no effect on how the site works;
- blocking advertising cookies does not remove ads, but they become less relevant.
We do not currently show our own cookie banner. Where the law requires consent before non-essential cookies are set, you can give or withhold that consent through the ad consent message presented by Google, or by blocking those cookies in your browser or ad settings as described above. Strictly necessary cookies are set regardless, because the service cannot function without them.
Most browsers also send a “Do Not Track” signal. There is still no common standard for how sites should respond, so we do not act on it; use the controls above instead.
Changes to this policy
We will update this policy if we add or remove a cookie, change providers, or the law changes. The date at the top shows the current version. Material changes will be announced on the site.
Contact
If you have a question about cookies or this policy, email contact.techtipshub@noyonrahman.com or use the contact form.