Website cookies are small text files stored on a user’s device by a web browser when visiting a website. They are used to remember information about the user’s visit, such as login status, preferences, and personalization settings. Cookies help enhance the user experience by enabling websites to recognize returning visitors and remember their actions or preferences over time.
There are two main types of cookies: session cookies, which are temporary and deleted upon closing the browser, and persistent cookies, which remain on the device for a specified period or until manually deleted. Cookies can also be categorized as first-party cookies, created by the website a user is visiting, and third-party cookies, created by domains other than the one being visited, often used for advertising and tracking purposes.
While cookies can improve functionality and the overall browsing experience, they have raised privacy concerns, particularly regarding tracking users’ online behavior without their consent. Consequently, many jurisdictions require websites to inform users about the use of cookies and obtain consent before storing certain types of information.
Understanding Cookies: What You Need to Know Navigating the internet often involves encountering cookies, which play a vital role in enhancing your experience. **Cookies are small data files** that a…