What is an HTTP cookie?
Q: What is an HTTP cookie?
A: An HTTP cookie is a simple computer file made of text that stores information used by websites to personalise the experience when using a website.
Q: How does a website use cookies?
A: A website can use the information stored in cookies to find out if someone has visited a website before and record data about what they did. When someone is using a computer to browse a website, a personalised cookie file can be sent from the website’s server to the person’s computer and stored in their web browser. The website can then send a message to the person’s browser asking if there is already an existing cookie from them, which it can then use for previous activity tracking.
Q: What are some examples of how cookies are used?
A: Examples of how cookies are used include shopping carts, automatic login and remembering which advertisements have already been shown.
Q: Why have laws been made regarding Internet privacy?
A: Laws have been made in some countries regarding Internet privacy because cookies can be used to track browsing behavior, which could potentially violate people's privacy rights.
Q: Are cookies programs or viruses?
A: No, cookies are not programs or viruses; they are simply pieces of data that cannot do much on their own. They are often mistakenly called spyware or viruses but this is incorrect.
Q: Can users choose whether or not to accept cookies?
A: Yes, most web browsers allow users to choose whether or not they want to accept cookies; however, if they do not allow them some websites may become unusable as certain features such as shopping baskets require them for operation.
