Every time you open a website, what do you think happens? There is an intricate network of transmitted information that allows us to gain access to new information each time we ignorantly hit that “See more” or “Next” button. This transmission is called a cookie. An internet cookie can be defined as a minor piece of information that is often smaller that an amalgamation of 255 characters is exchanged between the browser we are using and the website we intend to visit.
Therefore, each time we intend to gain access to a new website, the cookie is transferred and the process happens before us. The reasons why cookies are important are because they distinguish between users and maintain data related to the user.
Websites function by identifying with the internet habits of their users. It is important for them to evaluate and assess how often a single user is visiting a particular website. If you are wondering how the concept of an internet cookie works, following is a brief bulleted explanation:
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Each time the domain name of a website is entered in the browser the request to visit it is made by the server and hosting site.
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Next up, your server opens the web page before you – you see this as the normal functioning of the internet.
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However, the response is based on the cookie that was received and is in turn saved on the hard drive.
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Some internet cookies even have an expiration date.
Types of Cookies
1 Session cookies:
These are temporary cookies. This means that the minute you turn the browser off, the cookie is removed. This way, even if you visit the same website again, you will be treated as a new visitor since the previous cookie was never saved.
2 Persistent cookies:
These are cookies that are stored on your hard drive till you remove them or till they expire.
3 First Party cookies:
Each time you visit a new website, you are issued a cookie by the website. This particular one that is issued to you is known as a first party cookie.
4 Third Party cookies:
Sometimes when you open a web page it includes a series of advertisements also known as popup windows. Each time the window pops up, you are sent a new cookie. These cookies are technologically known as third party cookies.
The Use of Cookies in Advertising
Cookies are used in Internet advertising. This is done so because the emission and reception of cookies allows internet advertisers to be able to understand and track the behaviors of several users. They can also very easily track the personal information of the visitor through their internet surfing habits by way of cookies.
There is a misconception that goes around about cookies that they compromise the security of the user. This is not entirely true; however, an internet cookie does affect the overall privacy of your use of the internet. Cookies are not executable programs, which can harm your computer because in technical terms they are written text. At the same time, there are some cookies that store personal information as with it one can identify the computer and the software you are using.
Therefore, when establishing a website, it is important to understand how cookies work.
Scott Heron being a freelance website designer also assists in marketing. For more information on his services, please visit this website.