The main intent of cookies is to identify users and customize pages. But how do websites use cookies? Read on for more.
TAGGED UNDER: Website Design Internet Cookies

A cookie is a small piece of information, usually less than 255 characters long, exchanged between the browser and the server when you visit a website. When you visit a website, the server sends cookies to your browser. Each time you visit that website, your browser returns the cookie to the server. A web server uses cookies to distinguish between users and maintain data related to the user.

Websites are always interested in knowing the web habits of their users. They want to know how often a particular user visits their site and which pages he visits. The mechanism of cookies works as follows:

Cookies help you avoid repeatedly following certain procedures on the site, like filling out forms or signing in. Once you are a registered user, you may not have to perform the signing-in each time you visit the site. Once you have filled out the forms, the information you fill in can be remembered using cookies. Shopping websites can base their purchase recommendations on the information you supply.
When you type in the domain, you request the server host the site.
The server then sends you the web page which corresponds to your request.
The response contains a cookie, which stays on your hard drive.
Most cookies contain parameters like their name, value, and expiration date.

Types of Cookies

Session cookies: They are temporary. They are removed when you close the browser. On your next visit to that site, you will be treated as a new visitor. In the case of a session cookie, there is nothing by which a browser can let the website know about your prior visits.

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Persistent cookies: They are stored on your hard drive till you remove them or till they expire.
First-party cookies: When the website you visit issues you a cookie, it is a first-party cookie.
Third-Party Cookies: Imagine that the website you visit is hosting advertisements. The advertisement site may also issue you a cookie, which is called a third-party cookie.

Use in Advertising

Cookies are used in Internet advertising. Advertisers can obtain information about visitors’ on-site behavior with the help of cookies. The visitor’s personal information is anonymous, but their web surfing habits are recorded and can be tracked through cookies. A website can promote specific products to visitors based on the information gathered from cookies about the advertisements they click on. Cookies help the host server determine which banner advertisements you have seen. They can convey this information to their advertisers.

E-commerce sites implement shopping carts by utilizing cookies. The cookie contains an ID and lets the site track what you add to your cart. When you add an item to your shopping cart, it is stored along with your ID in the site’s database. The site knows what’s in your cart when you check out.

Cookies and Session Management

The HTTP protocol is stateless, which means an HTTP webserver can’t differentiate one user request from another. Therefore, it becomes essential for a developer to achieve session management. Session IDs associated with cookies are vital in uniquely identifying client requests. Session stores information pertinent to a particular user for the duration of his visit.

Cookies help you avoid repeatedly following certain procedures on the site, like filling out forms or signing in. Once you are a registered user, you may not have to perform the signing-in each time you visit the site. Once you have filled out the forms, the information you fill in can be remembered using cookies. Shopping websites can base their purchase recommendations on the information you supply.

It is not true that cookies compromise your security. But, yes, they affect your privacy. Cookies are not executable programs, which can harm your computer. They are plain text. Regrettably, some cookies store personal information. A cookie can identify the computer and the software you are using. A dishonest site can make your information available to outsiders. So, if you do not want to be monitored by websites, it is best to delete cookies regularly.