What are internet Cookies?
What are Cookies?
This does not mean chocolate chip for the internet, cookies most common meaning refers to a piece of information sent by a Web Server to a Web Browser that the Browser software is expected to save and to send back to the Server whenever the browser makes additional requests from the Server.
Depending on the Cookie type used, and the Browser’s settings, your Browser may accept or not accept the Cookie, and may save the Cookie for either a short time or a long time. This depends on your browser settings.
Cookies can contain information such as login or registration information, online “shopping cart” information, and user preferences.
When a Server gets a command and receives a request from a Browser that includes a Cookie, the Server is able to use the information stored in the Cookie. For example, the Server might customize what is sent back to the user, or keep a log of particular users’ requests.
Cookies are usually set to expire after a set period of time and are usually saved in memory until the Browser software is closed down, at which time they may be saved to temp file if their “expire time” has not been reached.
Cookies do not read your hard drive and send your life story to the National Inquirer, but they are used to gather more information about a user than would be possible without them.