Cookie Collector

# Cookie Collector Extension - User Guide ## What is Cookie Collector? Cookie Collector is a focused browser extension that monitors and tracks cookies from specific domains you choose. Unlike generic cookie viewers, it provides targeted monitoring with real-time updates, status tracking, and export capabilities for the domains you care about most. ## Key Features ### 🎯 **Targeted Domain Monitoring** - Monitor cookies from specific domains you configure - Add multiple root domains to your watchlist - Focus on relevant cookies instead of overwhelming data ### 📊 **Real-Time Cookie Tracking** - Live monitoring of cookie changes (Active, Updated, Removed) - Real-time status updates as cookies are modified - Automatic refresh when the side panel becomes visible ### 🔍 **Smart Cookie Management** - Two viewing modes: List view and Grid/Table view - Sortable table columns (Name, Domain, Path, Expires, Origin, Modified, Status) - Search cookies by name or domain - Filter by cookie status (Active, Updated, Removed) ### 📈 **Live Statistics Dashboard** - Total cookie count - Active cookies count - Updated cookies count - Removed cookies count - Real-time updates as cookies change ### 🛠️ **Export & Data Management** - Export cookies to JSON format with timestamps - Automatic filename generation (cookies_domain_date.json) - Clear cookie logs to start fresh monitoring - Refresh cookies manually when needed ### 🔒 **Privacy & Security Features** - All data stored locally in your browser - No external data transmission - Monitor only the domains you choose - Secure cookie data handling ## Why Install Cookie Collector? ### For Developers - **Debugging**: Easily inspect cookies during development and testing - **Testing**: Verify cookie behavior across different scenarios - **Documentation**: Generate cookie documentation for your applications - **Compliance**: Ensure your apps meet cookie-related requirements ### For Security Researchers - **Audit**: Analyze website cookie security practices - **Monitoring**: Track suspicious cookie behavior - **Compliance**: Check GDPR and privacy regulation compliance - **Vulnerability Assessment**: Identify potential security issues ### For Marketers & Analysts - **Tracking**: Understand how websites use cookies for analytics - **Competitive Analysis**: Study competitor cookie strategies - **Performance**: Monitor cookie impact on website performance - **User Experience**: Analyze cookie-related user journey data ### For General Users - **Transparency**: See what cookies websites are setting - **Privacy**: Understand your digital footprint - **Control**: Make informed decisions about website usage - **Education**: Learn about web technologies and privacy ## How to Use Cookie Collector ### Installation 1. Visit the Chrome Web Store and search for "Cookie Collector" or use the direct link 2. Click "Add to Chrome" button on the extension page 3. Review the permissions and click "Add extension" in the confirmation dialog 4. The extension icon will appear in your browser toolbar 5. Click the extension icon to open the side panel and start using Cookie Collector ### Basic Usage #### 1. **Setup Domain Monitoring** - Click the extension icon to open the side panel - In the "Domain Setup" section, enter the root domain you want to monitor (e.g., "example.com") - Click "✅ Add Domain" to add it to your monitoring list - Add multiple domains if needed - Click "🚀 Start Monitoring Cookies" to begin #### 2. **Monitor Cookies in Real-Time** - Once monitoring starts, the setup section collapses and monitoring section expands - Cookies are automatically collected and displayed in real-time - View live statistics showing total, active, updated, and removed cookies - Use the "🔄 Refresh" button to manually update cookie data #### 3. **View and Analyze Cookies** - **List View**: Compact list showing cookie details - **Grid View**: Sortable table with columns for Name, Domain, Path, Expires, Origin, Modified, and Status - Click column headers to sort cookies - Use search bar to find specific cookies by name or domain - Filter by cookie status (Active, Updated, Removed) #### 4. **Export and Manage Data** - Click "📥 Export" to download cookies as JSON file - Files are automatically named with domain and date (e.g., "cookies_example.com_2024-01-15.json") - Use "🗑️ Clear" to reset cookie logs and start fresh monitoring - Click "⏹️ Stop" to stop monitoring and return to setup mode ### Advanced Features #### **Smart Section Management** - Automatic accordion-style interface that expands/collapses sections - Setup section automatically collapses when monitoring starts - Monitoring section automatically expands when active - Clean, focused interface that adapts to your current task #### **Performance Optimizations** - Debounced search (300ms delay) for smooth typing experience - Automatic refresh when side panel becomes visible - Efficient cookie filtering and sorting - Memory leak prevention with proper cleanup #### **Cookie Status Tracking** - **Active**: Cookies currently present and unchanged - **Updated**: Cookies that have been modified since last check - **Removed**: Cookies that were deleted or expired - Real-time status updates as cookies change ## Use Cases ### **Web Development & Testing** - Monitor cookies during development to debug authentication flows - Track cookie changes when testing login/logout functionality - Verify cookie persistence across page refreshes - Document cookie behavior for your applications ### **Security & Privacy Research** - Monitor specific domains for suspicious cookie behavior - Track when and how cookies are modified during browsing - Audit cookie usage patterns on websites you visit - Understand how websites use cookies for tracking ### **Quality Assurance & Debugging** - Test cookie behavior in different browser sessions - Monitor cookie expiration and removal - Debug cookie-related issues in web applications - Verify cookie s…