Cookies are small files that are stored on a user’s device when they visit a website. They serve to remember information about the user’s interaction with said site, such as preferences, login data or browsing habits.
Cookies can be “session”, which are deleted when the user closes their browser, or “persistent”, which remain on the device even after closing the browser and can be accessed on subsequent visits. In addition, cookies can be “first-party”, implemented by the site the user visits, or “third-party”, implemented by external services, such as advertisers or analysts.
While cookies have useful functions, such as personalizing the user experience or facilitating authentication, they have also raised privacy concerns, as they can be used to track users’ online behavior and collect data without their consent.
