What Are Cookies? Definition, Types, and Usage

Introduction

When you browse the internet, a website often “recognizes” you and remembers your preferences. The technology behind this experience is called cookies. Cookies allow websites to store visitor information as small text files in your browser, enabling seamless login, language selection, shopping cart, and more.

In this article you’ll find a thorough answer to the question “What are cookies?”, learn about the different cookie types, and discover what to watch for from a privacy standpoint.

Basic Information

# What Are Cookies?

A cookie is a small text file sent by a web server to your browser and stored on your computer. Cookies can contain user identifiers, session information, preference settings, and analytics data. When you revisit the same site, the browser sends the cookie back to the server, allowing the site to recognize you.

# How Cookies Work

1. Request:The user accesses a website.

2. Server Response:The server creates a cookie with a Set-Cookie header in the HTTP response.

3. Browser Storage:The browser stores the cookie for the specified duration.

4. Subsequent Request:On the next visit, the browser includes the cookie in the Cookie header sent to the server.

This cycle underpins session management, personalization, and other core functions.

# Cookie Types

-Session Cookie:Deleted when the browser closes; used for short‑term session management.

-Persistent Cookie:Contains an expiration date; remains even after the browser is closed.

-Third‑Party Cookie: Set by a domain other than