A cookie is data created by a web server and stored on a user’s hard drive, used to track user activity and predict future needs.
Cookies provide convenience in business transactions by remembering user preferences and previous activities.
Information stored in cookies can also be used by other websites to deliver customized content.
Many consider cookies an invasion of privacy due to their tracking capabilities.
Cookie Interaction Example
Client-Server Communication:
Upon accessing a website, the server sends a usual HTTP response message along with a cookie (e.g., set-cookie: 1678).
The client stores the cookie on the local hard drive.
Subsequent Requests:
When the user returns to the site, their browser sends the cookie back to the server (e.g., cookie: 1678), enabling access to user-specific actions and content.