Cookie

From Saferpedia

A HTTP cookie or a cookie module is a special text, often encrypted, sent by a server to a web browser and then sent back (unchanged) by the browser each time the server is accessed. Cookies are used for authentication and to track users' behavior; standard applications are remembering users preferences and implementing the shopping cart system.

Cookies have caused concern because they allow gathering information about users' behavior (what pages they visit and when). In some countries like USA and EU their use is restricted. Cookie techniques were also criticized for the fact that users' identification is not always accurate and the fact that they allow informational attacks.

There are a few wrong opinions about cookies most of them based on the wrong impression that they always include executable code; actually they are just texts and can't execute any operation. They are not spyware or viruses although certain antivirus software can detect them.

Most modern browsers allow users to decide if accepts or not cookies.

Purpose

Cookies are used by web servers for being able to differentiate users and to be able to react according to their actions. They were invented for implementing virtual shopping chart: usually the users is loging in first then surfs in the site, adds or removes items in the cart then asks for the final price, then it sends or not the command and at the end it closes the session (logout).

Users authentication from the servers is another cookie application; with their help server remembers the fact the users is logged in and will allow specific actions.

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