Which type of cookies should be blocked as they are from advertisers and can pose security risks?

Third-party cookies should be blocked as they primarily originate from advertisers and can pose significant security risks. These cookies are set by a domain that is different from the one the user is currently visiting, allowing advertisers to track users across multiple websites. This tracking capability enables the creation of detailed user profiles based on behavior, preferences, and interactions on various sites.

The potential security concerns associated with third-party cookies include privacy violations and the unauthorized collection of personal data. Users often do not have insight into what data is being collected or how it will be used. Additionally, since third-party cookies can be tied to ad networks that may have less stringent security measures, they could be potential vectors for attacks, such as cross-site scripting (XSS) or data leakage.

On the other hand, session cookies are temporary and are typically cleared once the browser is closed; flash cookies are used to store information for applications that run in Adobe Flash; and tracking cookies, while related, are generally used to monitor users' browsing habits but may not have the same level of security risks as third-party cookies, especially if they originate from trusted sources. Thus, the emphasis on blocking third-party cookies is primarily due to their role in cross-site tracking and advertising, which raises substantial security and privacy