Free online Cookie Scanner

A cookie scanner, sometimes referred to as a cookie checker or GDPR website scanner, is a tool that scans a website for cookies. Then, it generates a cookie scan report containing detailed information about each cookie – its type, description and action points you should follow to make sure you use it compliantly.

Piwik PRO’s Cookie Scanner tool is unique as it generates two reports – one for cookies fired before and another for after the visitor’s consent – with details on each cookie type. This helps you verify if your consent manager respects visitors’ privacy and blocks the use of certain types of cookies before you receive consent.

1. The scanner automatically detects and categorizes website cookies.
2. You find out what kind of consent manager is implemented on the website.
3. You discover the website’s geographical location and learn details about the internet service provider (ISP) thanks to mapping an IP address.
4. You get two complete scan reports (one for cookies fired before user consent and one for cookies deployed after obtaining consent).
5. You check if your website’s setup is GDPR-compliant and make necessary adjustments.

Cookies are text files with small bits of data (like a username and password) stored on the user's computer or other devices to identify that user after they visit a website. The cookie contains several data components:

• The name of the server that placed it
• A non-nominative identifier, in the form of a unique ID number
• An expiration date

We can distinguish two types of cookies: first-party cookies and third-party cookies.

Using a cookie scanner helps you comply with data protection laws like CCPA and GDPR. It allows you to check what cookies and trackers are used on your website and adjust your privacy policy to inform the visitors about their use.

With Piwik PRO Cookie Scanner, you can also test if your consent mechanism works correctly and doesn’t fire cookies before the user has a chance to allow or deny their use.

All this helps you verify and improve your privacy compliance.

GDPR requires website owners to disclose details about cookies such as their type, source, purpose, data they collect, and with whom this data is shared. According to GDPR, you have to get explicit consent from EU citizens to collect and process their personal information. Several EU data protection authorities (DPA) have released their guidelines for compliant data collection with the use of cookies. Follow the recommendations of your local DPA to make sure you meet the demands of the law.

There are many aspects of a website that must be aligned with GDPR. One of the most important steps is to check that the tracking codes and cookies installed on your website are working properly. You must analyze where the data is collected from, stored and processed, and for how long. You can use a cookie scanner that will help you check website cookies to meet GDPR requirements. You can also do a manual check or seek legal assistance to make sure you are 100% compliant.