Website cookies or internet cookies, are small text files that are stored on a user’s device (such as a computer or mobile device) when they visit a website. Cookies contain information about the user’s visit to the website, such as their preferences, login information, and browsing history.
There are two types of cookies: session cookies and persistent cookies. Session cookies are temporary and are deleted when the user closes their browser, while persistent cookies remain on the user’s device until they expire or are manually deleted.
Cookies are used by websites for various purposes, including:
- Remembering user preferences, such as language settings or font size
- Keeping users logged in to their accounts
- Tracking user behavior on the website for analytics purposes
- Personalizing content and advertisements based on the user’s interests and browsing history
Cookies can be set by the website itself or by third-party services, such as advertising or analytics companies. The use of cookies is regulated by laws and regulations, such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in the European Union (EU), which requires websites to obtain valid consent from users for the use of cookies and to provide clear information about how cookies are used on the website.
Find out what a cookie banner is here.