Cookies

HTTP cookies, also known as web cookies or browser cookies, are small pieces of data stored on a user’s computer by a website. These cookies are used by websites to remember a user’s preferences and settings, and to provide a more personalized browsing experience.

How Cookies Work?

When a user visits a website, the website sends a cookie to the user’s browser. The browser stores the cookie on the user’s computer, and the cookie is sent back to the website with every subsequent request made by the user. This allows the website to remember information about the user, such as their preferences and login status.

Types of Cookies

There are two main types of cookies: session cookies and persistent cookies. Session cookies are temporary cookies that are deleted when the user closes their browser. Persistent cookies, on the other hand, are stored on the user’s computer for a set period of time, even after the user closes their browser.

Cookies can also be classified based on their source. First-party cookies are set by the website the user is visiting. Third-party cookies, on the other hand, are set by a domain other than the one the user is visiting. Third-party cookies are often used for advertising and tracking purposes.

Privacy Concerns

While cookies can be useful for providing a personalized browsing experience, they can also raise privacy concerns. Cookies can be used to track a user’s browsing habits and collect personal information, such as their name and email address.

To address these concerns, many browsers allow users to control how cookies are stored and used. Users can choose to block cookies entirely, or to block third-party cookies while allowing first-party cookies.