by Th Chan

Created on: December 17, 2006   Last Updated: April 19, 2007

Internet cookies are temporary Internet files for the purpose of storing client information. As server side requests are comparatively slow, and to reduce the server load data stored on client machines increase performance. Cookies were coined as each cookie represented a user on a website. Simply put, they are text files used by websites to identify a unique user, give them preferences and settings, and many other features.

Each time a user enters a website, information is logged about their visit such as their current IP. A unique ID, such as a string of random values is assigned to the visitor to tell them apart from another user on the website (note multiple users can have the same IP if they are sharing the same connection or if goes through a proxy server, such as in schools).

A main use of an Internet Cookie is to remember a user. They might be the next time they entered a site with specified details provided they filled in a profile. These details would be saved in the cookies for later use. Preferences can be set from the profile and upon entering the site, the cookies will be checked for these preferences. There are many things can be done, including the layout of a site (i.e. the theme used), a localized time to the user's country setting, auto-login (where the user does not have to enter details as these are stored in the cookies and the user will be automatically logged in on each visit) and many more.

Another feature of cookies is providing the user with the most personalized experience. The site will be shaped for them. Not only can they choose options as to how a site will be for them and automate many tasks, many other features can be specific to the user and remembered every time.

Internet Cookies are usually created by scripts, commonly such as JavaScripts. As JavaScript is client side based code, it is a perfect tool to code cookies in. JavaScripts are executed by the browser upon loading the page and other triggers. A special cookies file will be created according to the code. Cookies commonly have an expiry date, meaning how long it will last. Most cookies are set for long periods, depending on the site.

Cookies in rare cases are misused by websites to collect personal information for misuse. This creates a great potential for these targeters when third party links, such as ads collect cookies from the user's visit from another's site which in turn goes to more third parties and this will spread. All in all, cookies are useful tools to help personalize the user experience.

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