Introduction
If you’ve ever browsed the internet, you’ve probably come across a website that has asked if it can use your cookies.
But why do they want to use your cookies in the first place? Is it because they’re trying to bake some virtual goods for you? Let’s find out!
What You Need To Know About Website Cookies
What are cookies?
In computer science, a cookie is a small piece of data that is sent from a website and stored on the user’s computer by the user’s web browser while the user is browsing. Cookies were designed to be a reliable mechanism for websites to remember stateful information (such as items in a shopping cart) or to record the user’s browsing activity (including clicking particular buttons, logging in, or recording which pages were visited in the past).
Normally, cookies are used to enhance the user’s experience while using a website. However, some cookies have been used for malicious purposes, such as tracking users’ clicks and browsing activities or collecting their personal information.
How do cookies work?
When you visit a website, the server that stores the website’s files sends information about the website to your browser. This information includes the text of the website, as well as a special code called “cookies.” These cookies are stored on your computer’s hard drive by your browser. When you return to that same website later, your browser sends the previously stored cookie back to the server. The server then uses this information to customize what you see on your screen.
For example, if you visit a clothing site and add some items to your shopping cart, then leave without completing your purchase, a cookie will remember what was in your shopping cart when you come back later. Similarly, many online newspapers and magazines use cookies so that you don’t have to repeatedly enter your login information each time you visit their site.
What do websites use cookies for?
Websites use cookies mainly because they save time and make browsing more convenient for everyone. When a website uses cookies, it can keep track of your movement from one page to another so that you don’t have to enter the same information multiple times.
It can also keep track of items in online shopping carts and help ensure that the ads you see online are relevant to your interests. In general, cookies make online browsing simpler and more efficient.
Conclusion
As we can see, there are many good reasons why websites ask to use our cookies. By understanding how they work and what they’re used for, we can better appreciate how they help us while we’re browsing the internet!
