Software cookies definition

A Web server would allow the browser to save this text file and resend the file with each request from the user. This file helped the server identify each user. Persistent Cookies: Normally known as tracking cookies, these cookies have a specific time period before they expire.

Secure Cookies: When a user is accessing the server through HTTPS, secure cookies are used to provide maximum security to user data through encryption. Zombie Cookies: These cookies are automatically recreated after a user has deleted them. Share this Term. Tech moves fast! Stay ahead of the curve with Techopedia! Join nearly , subscribers who receive actionable tech insights from Techopedia.

As far as advertisers go, the NAI Consumer Opt-Out page can assist you in identifying and opting out of advertisers who are using tracking cookies on your browser. It supports a mass opt-out feature that really simplifies the process.

You can also go directly to organizations like Oracle and Acxiom to opt out of their third-party, interest-based advertising. This is mindful enough to help prevent cookies from growing large enough to where they can be seen as invasive and dangerous. In closing, the way you handle cookies is a matter of your own preference and discretion. Otherwise, the steps above can help in making sure that your privacy is respected. Either way, your PC is safe!

Craig is a long-time writer, coder, and marketer with years of experience in the technology and gaming spaces. Since , he's worked remotely with some of the most notable publications in these industries, specializing in Windows, PC hardware and software, automation, and the like. Read Craig's Full Bio. For example, a search engine may store your search settings in a cookie. A news website may use a cookie to save a custom text size you select for viewing news articles.

Financial websites sometimes use cookies to store recently viewed stock quotes. If a website needs to store a lot of personal information, it may use a cookie to remember who you are, but will load the information from the web server. This method, called "server side" storage, is often used when you create an account on a website. Browser cookies come in two different flavors: "session" and "persistent.

These types of cookies are often used by e-commerce sites to store items placed in your shopping cart, and can serve many other purposes as well. Persistent cookies are designed to store data for an extended period of time. Each persistent cookie is created with an expiration date, which may be anywhere from a few days to several years in the future.

Once the expiration date is reached, the cookie is automatically deleted. Before removing cookies, evaluate the ease of use expected from a website that uses cookies. In most cases, cookies improve the web experience, but they should be handled carefully. In the future, you can anonymize your web use by using a virtual private network VPN. These services tunnel your web connection to a remote server that poses as you.

Cookies will be labeled for that remote server in another country, instead of your local computer. We use cookies to make your experience of our websites better. By using and further navigating this website you accept this. Detailed information about the use of cookies on this website is available by clicking on more information. What are cookies on a computer? What are cookies on a website? Can cookies contain viruses? How can I remove cookies?

What Are Cookies? Different types of cookies - Magic Cookies and HTTP Cookies Magic Cookies HTTP Cookies Cookies generally function the same but have been applied to different use cases: "Magic cookies" are an old computing term that refers to packets of information that are sent and received without changes.

In this case, a pocket of data is linked to you on the website server when you connect. The cookie for the website is given to you and stored in your web browser. It has a unique ID especially for you. Your browser gives the website your cookie.

It reads the unique ID in the cookie to assemble your activity data and recall your visit just as you left it. What Are Cookies Used For? For example, cookies let websites recognize users and recall their individual login information and preferences, such as sports news versus politics. Customized advertising is the main way cookies are used to personalize your sessions. You may view certain items or parts of a site, and cookies use this data to help build targeted ads that you might enjoy.

Shopping sites use cookies to track items users previously viewed, allowing the sites to suggest other goods they might like and keep items in shopping carts while they continue shopping. Persistent cookies are used for two primary purposes: Authentication. These cookies track whether a user is logged in and under what name.

They also streamline login information, so users don't have to remember site passwords.