Glossary
Cookie
Tags: Glossary
A piece of information from your computer that references what the user has clicked on or references information that is stored in a text file on the user's hard drive (such as a username). Another way to describe cookies is to say they are tiny files containing information about individual computers that can be used by advertisers to track online interests and tastes. Cookies are also used in the process of purchasing items on the Web. It is because of the cookie that the 'shopping cart' technology works. By saving the name and other important information about an item a user 'clicks' on as they move through a shopping website, a user can later go to an order form and see all the items they selected, ready for quick and easy processing.
What is Cookie?
A cookie is a small piece of information that is stored on your computer and is used to remember certain details or preferences. It can be thought of as a reference or a pointer to specific information that is either stored on your hard drive or on a website's server.
When you visit a website, it may send a cookie to your computer. This cookie contains information that the website wants to remember about you. For example, it may store your username so that you don't have to enter it every time you visit the site. It can also store information about your preferences, such as your preferred language or the layout of the website.
Cookies are also used by advertisers to track your online interests and tastes. When you visit a website that displays ads, the advertisers may use cookies to gather information about the types of websites you visit and the products or services you are interested in. This information can then be used to show you targeted ads that are more relevant to your interests.
One important use of cookies is in the process of purchasing items on the web. When you add items to your shopping cart on an online store, a cookie is used to remember the details of the items you have selected. This allows you to continue browsing the website and add more items to your cart without losing the ones you have already chosen. When you are ready to check out and make a purchase, the cookie ensures that all the items you have selected are still there, ready for quick and easy processing.
Overall, cookies play a crucial role in enhancing your browsing experience and making certain tasks more convenient. They allow websites to remember important information about you and provide personalized content. However, it is important to be aware of the potential privacy implications of cookies and to manage them according to your preferences. Most web browsers provide options to control and delete cookies, giving you control over your online privacy.