Cookies: types of cookies and the functions they perform
Cookies are small pieces of data sent by a web service. They are stored in a special file on the device and help identify the user on that site during future visits. Cookies are most often sent by the browser, but can also be sent by another client.
This data is strictly proprietary and is used to enhance the user’s experience on the site. Cookies help to personalize a person’s interaction with a resource by applying previously specified preferences, such as location, to each visit.
Cookie technology emerged in 1994 when the need arose to store important information for the convenient use of Web sites. Then programmer Lou Montulli decided to leave the data directly on the user’s computer.
Today, the use of cookies has three main purposes:
1. User behavior analysis. These files allow you to track user history and see the number of new requests. Cookies allow you to determine which pages people visit and what information they are interested in.
2. Resource session management. Cookies allow you to save products on the site, add them to your shopping cart, and have them available for your next visit. Cookies are also used for authentication.
3. Personalization. Many sites use cookies to remember information about users. This includes not only login information, but also other data such as age and location. On a second visit, all previously entered information is automatically filled in.
Cookies are used to identify the user, compare all data, check the session, and save previously made settings.
There are 5 types of cookies:
1. Third-party cookies are files that are created by third-party resources, such as advertising sites or aggregators. These cookies are needed to improve platforms like YouTube, Google Maps, and others.
2. Temporary. They are only stored for one session and are deleted when the browser is closed.
3. Supercookies. This type of file does not represent a specific site, but a domain zone. These cookies are dangerous because they are accessible to hackers, so browsers block these files by default.
4. Hard to delete. These cookies are difficult to detect because they can reside in different applications in addition to the browser. Their presence allows the user to be identified even if the files are not found in storage.
5. Tracking, or persistent. Cookies remain active for several months after the session is closed. They are deleted automatically after a certain period of time. Persistent cookies allow users to log in to the site without having to periodically enter a username and password.
Previously, cookies were collected without notifying users, but in 2018, regulations were passed that govern the use of cookies and aim to protect data. Now, websites are required to inform users that they are using cookies.
