What is a Cookie?

Hello Friends

I would like to know that what is a cookie? Can any one tell me the exact definition of cookie and for what purpose it is used? Any information on this would be appreciated.

Thank you.

A cookie is information that a Web site puts on your hard disk so that it can remember something about you at a later time. (More technically, it is information for future use that is stored by the server on the client side of a client/server communication.) Typically, a cookie records your preferences when using a particular site. Using the Web's Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP), each request for a Web page is independent of all other requests.

Cookies are commonly used to rotate the banner ads that a site sends so that it doesn't keep sending the same ad as it sends you a succession of requested pages. They can also be used to customize pages for you based on your browser type or other information you may have provided the Web site. Web users must agree to let cookies be saved for them, but, in general, it helps Web sites to serve users better.

A cookie is a small file of letters and numbers downloaded on to your computer when you access certain websites. Like virtual door keys, cookies unlock a computer's memory and allow a website to recognise users when they return to a site by opening doors to different content or services. Like a key, a cookie itself does not contain information, but when it is read by a browser it can help a website improve the service delivered.

Cookie files are automatically lodged into the cookie file - the memory of your browser - and each one typically contains:

• The name of the server the cookie was sent from
  
• The lifetime of the cookie
• A value - usually a randomly generated unique number

The website server which sent the cookie uses this number to recognise you when you return to a site or browse from page to page. Only the server that sent a cookie can read, and therefore use, that cookie.

A cookie is just one or more pieces of information stored as text strings on your machine. A Web server sends you a cookie and the browser stores it. The browser then returns the cookie to the server the next time the page is referenced.

The most common use of a cookie is to store a user ID. For example, the cookie might containg the following string:

ID=96352398

*Amazon.com is one site that uses this technique. When you order a book, you fill out a form with your name and address. Amazon assigns you an ID, stores your information with that ID in its database on the server, and sends the ID to your browser as a cookie.

A cookie is a small text file that is sent to your computer via your web browser when you visit some websites.

These cookies are used to store information about you for the next time you visit that site - information like where you went on the site and what you did.

Cookie files are a great way for a website to remember you when you next visit, but if you want to surf the net without worrying about your privacy or security being threatened, you might want to stop them being sent.

What they do:-

Cookies have a variety of different functions, from remembering purchasing information or recording your viewing preferences, to storing scores for online quizzes.All of which can be useful if you repeatedly visit the same sites time and again.A cookie from a particular website will sit on the hard drive of your computer and wait until the next time you visit that site. Without the cookies the web server would have no way of knowing that you had been to the site before unless you logged in with a username and password.

Cookies allow web servers to remember you.

A cookie is a small file which stores information related to your Internet (web browsing) activity and then reports this back to the website that created the cookie.

Amongst other uses, cookies enable websites to be customised for individual users.

Cookies can however, cause potential security problems as information such as credit card details might be collected via a cookie.

Cookies will only store information that you provide and can be easily removed off your computer